Sonntag, 6. April 2014

A gorgon observation or a short theory of information*


A paradox is a difference that makes no difference.

Every paradox is a gorgon. When you look at one your mind freezes. (Stheno)


Therefore: draw a distinction, make an indication! (Euryale)

You will observe a difference that makes a difference.

Observing means unfolding paradoxes.

Be careful, there are two ways to unfold a paradox: a creative way and an uncreative way. This alternative equals the alternative between life and death. Creative unfolding of a paradox brings a world to life, uncreative unfolding of a paradox brings nothing to life.

Uncreative ways to unfold a paradox is to ignore or to exclude it. Both are straight ways to petrification. At the same time it is like decapitating or dividing yourself. (Medusa)

Every paradox is an epistemological problem. The only way to solve it is to draw a distinction and make an indication. Look how far you can go with that difference. When you are facing the next paradox do the same again.

In other words: “Whenever you think that you are facing a contradiction, check your premises. You will see one of them is wrong.“ Ayn Rand

Paradoxes and contradictions do exist. Usually you are not facing them because they are already unfolded and therefore invisible. Hence your observation guiding premises are right. 

Observing means trying to look and not to look the gorgo in the eye at the same time.

Draw a distinction...







* You can read the elaborated version here (unfortunately only in german). 


Further literature:
Bateson, Gregory (1982 [1979]): Geist und Natur. Eine notwendige Einheit. Suhrkamp Verlag Frankfurt am Main 
Laing, Ronald D. (1976 [1960]): Das geteilte Selbst. Eine existentielle Studie über geistige Gesundheit und Wahnsinn. Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag Reinbek bei Hamburg 
  Luhmann, Niklas (1987): Tautologie und Paradoxie in den Selbstbeschreibungen der modernen Gesellschaft. In: Zeitschrift für Soziologie Jg. 16 Heft 3, S. 161 - 174
Luhmann, Niklas (1991): Sthenographie und Euryalistik. In: Gumbrecht, Hans Ulrich/Pfeiffer, K. Ludwig (Hrsg.): Paradoxien, Dissonanzen und Sinnzusammenbrüche. Suhrkamp Verlag Frankfurt am Main. S. 58 – 82
Luhmann, Niklas (1993): Die Paradoxie der Form. In: ders: Aufsätze und Reden. Reclam Stuttgart. S. 243 – 261
Rand, Ayn (2012 [1957]): Der Streik. Verlag Kai M. John München
Spencer-Brown, George (1997 [1969]): Laws Of Form. Gesetze der Form. Bohmeier Verlag Lübeck

1 Kommentar:

  1. Γοργών/Γοργώ
    "The heck with the Gorgon's image... I'm not terrified!"
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIvphI8aCwE&t=3m14s

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