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Karene Jade Howie
Metaphysics, Philosophy, Physics, Nature, Evolution, Sexuality, Art, Buddhism, Pantheism
But life is short, and truth works far and lives long: let us speak the truth. (Arthur Schopenhauer, 1818)
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world, indeed it is the only thing that ever has. (Margaret Mead)
Hello Everyone (June, 2007)
Welcome to my profile!
I will be working (hopefully) about 5 hours a week over the next 4 months to try and get some good content into the sexuality pages at open site. I have spent a lot of the past 6 months reading on various aspects of our sexual evolution (which I find very interesting) and slowly building content into our Evolutionary Philosophy of Human Sexuality pages at our philosophy website.
See my evolution and human sexuality bibliography for a comprehensive (and rather fascinating) list.
To begin I will finish getting content into existing empty cats in the sexuality section (next 2 weeks). Once that is done then I will build content here in my bookmarks and then move it across once complete (try and avoid creating any more empty cats). The following sexuality pages (below) are from our site - they are more for my reference for finding relevant content that I will be editing from when building pages for open site (I will make sure that content is suitable for a general encyclopedia - they will not be as provocative as wikipedia!)
With respect to copyright and use of content from other sites.
1. Mostly it will be small amounts acceptable under academic / non profit 'fair use' ruling (which my partner Geoff Haselhurst, who writes here on philosophy and physics, has studied in some detail).
2. Where we use larger quantities because they are good quality / well written - then we shall write to the relevant sites and confirm they are happy with its use (and our experience is pretty much all will be more than happy - as they are educational sites so they appreciate the use of their work in one of the major online encyclopedias, the visibility this brings.)
Cheers, Karene
I also would like to make the pages unique and aesthetically pleasing by using some images (not pornographic, but public domain Renaissance art paintings). I will also use suitable diagrams. Erotic Art: Renaissance Nude Paintings - Philosophy of Art.
For example: 'Flora' by Titian
Analyse any human emotion, no matter how far it may be removed from the sphere of sex, and you are sure to discover somewhere the primal impulse, to which life owes its perpetuation. The primitive stages can always be re-established; the primitive mind is, in the fullest meaning of the word, imperishable.
(Sigmund Freud, 1915)
I am further interested in the history and cultivation of sexuality (for example, the ancient Indian philosophy of Kama Sutra and Sacred Sexuality / Tantra), the impact of religion and culture upon human sexuality. I recognise the importance of a positive, healthy, informed attitude towards sexuality by society, and think this is beneficial to our quality of life and social cohesion.
A central principle of my understanding of human sexuality, is the simple recognition that we are sexual. The latest scientific sexology studies show that human beings express their sexuality with many diverse behaviours and reproductive strategies. Research and scientific studies on human sexuality have progressed rapidly over the past few years (in particular understanding female sexual behaviour). I think encyclopedias play an important role in providing the latest scientific knowledge for people (the first encyclopedias were written by philosophers, Diderot, et al). It seems likely that in our primitive ancestry we evolved sexual instincts which we now find socially unacceptable. I completely agree. We have evolved a moral instinct as well, which is designed to regulate certain behaviours. Moral actions are generally defined by the harm they cause others - which is covered by the following principles - 'do unto others' and informed consent (were informed consent requires a certain age and true knowledge). So I see another important role of an encyclopedia is presenting the truth about things enables people to have informed consent - which makes a positive contribution to a more moral society.
As the contemporary philosopher, Peter Vardy wrote;
All human beings are sexual creatures and there are few, if any, for whom the whole area of sexuality and relationships is not of interest and concern. (Peter Vardy)
About Karene Jade Howie
I am 28 and for the past six years have lived with my partner Geoff Haselhurst on the south west coast of Western Australia. My work, life and ideas are very strongly influenced by the beauty of nature and the importance of understanding our interconnection to nature to ensure its (and our) future survival. Having a philosopher as a partner (and living isolated in nature) are strong influences on me, though I have always reveled in the beauty of Nature, the study of literature, art and (later in life), philosophy.
About 3 years ago we began to work seriously on building a large philosophy / physics / metaphysics website based upon the Wave Structure of Matter. I find this new perspective very engaging as it explains many things that I have now read, in diverse fields of thought, from the discrete energy states of Quantum Physics (due to standing wave interactions) to Ancient Greek and Indian Philosophy (their realisation of the Dynamic Unity of Reality).
As we have been building the website we further study the internet / Google (to get our pages seen in search results). Our many long hours in front of the computer are beginning to show fruition! At present our website gets 100,000 page views a day (Alexa ranks our website the top philosophy site on the internet). Many of our pages now rank in the top 10 - 50 in Google for the main search terms in physics, philosophy, metaphysics. These results are very encouraging and still continue to surprise us. A significant contribution to our success is due to Geoff's experimental (and slightly obsessive) determination to understand how the internet (and Google) function. I think his knowledge of the internet, will be of great benefit to Open Site as well.
Some of My Interests
I live in Nature (the glorious Australian bush) and love the ocean, dancing, art, philosophy, long walks, deep ecology, fishing, being creative, reading, writing, learning, having a laugh, making fun, the internet, cooking, wine, sex, op shop fashion, poetry, cinema, music, animals, football, gardening, children, and simple sustainable living (this is written using solar energy!).
Metaphysics: Dynamic Unity of Reality
Reality cannot be found except in One single source, because of the interconnection of all things with one another. I maintain also that substances, whether material or immaterial, cannot be conceived in their bare essence without any activity, activity being of the essence of substance in general.
(Gottfried Leibniz, 1670)
My personal interest in philosophy and metaphysics lies with the ancients. In particular the Ancient Greeks, Vedic Philosophy / Eastern Mysticism and Roman Stoics who recognised that All is One and Interconnected. Such an understanding may be likened to Pantheism (which is derived from the Greek 'pan' (all) and 'theos' (God). Thus Pantheism means All is God, nature / universe is divine. As Friedrich Nietzsche observed of Greek metaphysics;
Greek philosophy seems to begin with a preposterous fancy, with the proposition that water is the origin and mother-womb of all things. Is it really necessary to stop there and become serious? Yes, and for three reasons: firstly, because the preposition does enunciate something about the origin of things; secondly, because it does so without figure and fable; thirdly and lastly, because it contained, although only in the chrysalis state, the idea :everything is one. ... That which drove him (Thales) to this generalization was a metaphysical dogma, which had its origin in a mystic intuition and which together with the ever renewed endeavors to express it better, we find in all philosophies- the proposition: everything is one! (Friedrich Nietzsche, The Greeks)
The Ancient Greeks and Indians further recognised motion (Flux / Activity / Change) was central to existence and reality. As Heraclitus, Buddha, Aristotle and Lama Anagarika Govinda express;
All things come out of the One and the One out of all things. ... I see nothing but Becoming. Be not deceived! It is the fault of your limited outlook and not the fault of the essence of things if you believe that you see firm land anywhere in the ocean of Becoming and Passing. You need names for things, just as if they had a rigid permanence, but the very river in which you bathe a second time is no longer the same one which you entered before.
(Heraclitus, 500 B.C.)
The world is continuous flux and is impermanent. ... O Brahmana, it is just like a mountain river, flowing far and swift, taking everything along with it; there is no moment, no instant, no second when it stops flowing, but it goes on flowing and continuing. So Brahmana, is human life, like a mountain river.
(Buddha, 500 B.C. )
Metaphysics is universal and is exclusively concerned with primary substance. And here we will have the science to study that which is just as that which is, both in its essence and in the properties which, just as a thing that is, it has.
.. There must then be a principle of such a kind that its substance is activity. ... it is impossible that the primary existent, being eternal, should be destroyed. ... that among entities there must be some cause which moves and combines things. .. about its coming into being and its doings and about all its alterations we think that we have knowledge when we know the source of its movement. ... The entire preoccupation of the physicist is with things that contain within themselves a principle of movement and rest. (Aristotle, Metaphysics, 340 BC)
According to ancient Indian tradition the universe reveals itself in two fundamental properties: as Motion, and as that in which motion takes place, namely Space. This Space is called Akasa, and is that through which things step into visible appearance, i.e., through which they possess extension or corporeality. Akasa is derived from the root kas, 'to radiate, to shine', and has therefore the meaning of 'ether', which is conceived as the medium of movement. The principle of movement, however, is Prana, the breath of life, the all-powerful, all-pervading rhythm of the universe. (Lama Govinda, 1977)
This is important as the Wave Structure of Matter allows us to use reason to understand our mind's representation of matter as discrete and separate objects (the 'naive real' illusion of 'particles') to the greater interconnected wholeness / dynamic unity of nature and what exists.
As David Bohm writes;
The notion that all these fragments is separately existent is evidently an illusion, and this illusion cannot do other than lead to endless conflict and confusion. Indeed, the attempt to live according to the notion that the fragments are really separate is, in essence, what has led to the growing series of extremely urgent crises that is confronting us today. Thus, as is now well known, this way of life has brought about pollution, destruction of the balance of nature, over-population, world-wide economic and political disorder and the creation of an overall environment that is neither physically nor mentally healthy for most of the people who live in it. Individually there has developed a widespread feeling of helplessness and despair, in the face of what seems to be an overwhelming mass of disparate social forces, going beyond the control and even the comprehension of the human beings who are caught up in it. (David Bohm, Wholeness and the Implicate Order, 1980)Philosophy, Education and Truth
Many people understand philosophy to mean 'love of wisdom'. Yet the further realisation of philosophy - to be wise we must know the truth, and truth comes from reality - has been largely dismissed by modern philosophy and physics.
The main problem of philosophy has been to connect our senses which are deceptive (our representation of the world, the many things, illusion) to the real world which exists (the One, infinite, eternal). For many thousands of years this puzzle has remained unsolved and so we now inhabit a postmodern world of relative truth where, as George Berkeley writes, having wandered through many intricate mazes, we find ourselves just where we were, or, which is worse, sit down in a forlorn scepticism.
It is solving this puzzle (and thus the consequences to human society) which is central to my work and motivation in studying philosophy. I also agree with Berkeley, Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the far greater part, if not all, of those difficulties which have hitherto amused philosophers, and blocked up the way to knowledge, are entirely owing to ourselves. That we have first raised a dust, and then complain we cannot see.
To continue this analogy from Berkeley, I believe the dust is of the many things / the 'particle' conception of matter. The illusion of the many things, of our sense experience, has led philosophy and physics into much confusion where truth, reality and unity cannot be seen. Such ideas are very buddhist, as Buddha was aware that 'the gift of truth excels all other gifts' and of the deceptive illusion of our senses.
The dustless and stainless Eye of Truth (Dhamma-cakkhu) has arisen.
He has seen Truth, has attained Truth, has known Truth, has penetrated into Truth, has crossed over doubt, is without wavering. Thus with right wisdom he sees it as it is (yatha bhutam). (Ancient Buddhist texts)
There is truth in the animal; it moves about and perceives its surroundings; it distinguishes and learns to choose. There is consciousness, but it is not yet the consciousness of Truth. It is a consciousness of self only. The consciousness of self dims the eyes of the mind and hides the truth. It is the origin of error, it is the source of illusion, it is the germ of evil.
... There is misery in the world of Samsara; there is much misery and pain. But greater than all the misery is the bliss of truth. Truth gives peace to the yearning mind; it conquers error; it quenches the flames of desires; it leads to Nirvana. (Truth the Savior, http://www.magna.com.au/~prfbrown/buddha)
I strongly believe in the importance of Truth and Philosophy in education. Philosophy is not as an abstract esoteric subject, nor a cult, but teaches us how to think correctly. People do not think enough in our modern world (we are too busy consuming, working, watching tv ...) which is a strange contradiction in this current 'information age'. In light of our tumultuous capitalist world, to be a critical, well informed, creative, thinking individual is a wonderful trait (that also protects you from a lot of the crap in the world). I agree with Albert Einstein;
To see with one's own eyes, to feel and judge without succumbing to the suggestive power of the fashion of the day, to be able to express what one has seen and felt in a trim sentence or even in a cunningly wrought word- is that not glorious? It is not a proper subject for congratulation? (Albert Einstein, 1934)
Knowledge exists in two forms - lifeless, stored in books, and alive, in the consciousness of men. The second form of existence is after all the essential one; the first, indispensable as it may be, occupies only an inferior position.
(Albert Einstein, 1954)
Buddhism / Vedic Philosophy
I greatly enjoy studying the ancient wisdom of Indian Philosophy, in particular Buddhism, Tantra, Kundalini, Hinduism and Advaita Vedanta. The knowledge and beauty of the ancient Indians resonates deeply with me (intuitively and logically). The growing popularity of Buddhism in western society is very heartening and gives me some hope that our world still seeks wisdom and truth. 'The Middle Way' and the 'Noble Eightfold Path' are wonderful guidelines for every person to live by or work towards. The Wave Structure of Matter is very Buddhist in its foundations (or if you prefer Buddhism is very scientific), as can be seen in the words of S. N. Goenka (one of the world's leading Vipassana teachers);
Observing,
observing you will reach the stage when you experience that the entire physical
structure is nothing but subatomic particles: throughout the body, nothing but
kalapas (subatomic particles). And even these tiniest subatomic particles are
not solid. They are mere vibration, just wavelets. The Buddha's words become
clear by experience: Sabbo pajjalito loko, sabbo loko pakampito. The entire universe
is nothing but combustion and vibration. As you experience it yourself you experience
that the entire material world is nothing but vibration. We have to experience
the ocean of infinite waves surging within, the river of inner sensations flowing
within, the eternal dance of the countless vibrations within every atom of the
body. We have to witness our continuously changing nature. All of this is happening
at an extremely subtle level. These kalapas (subatomic particles) according to
the Buddha, are in a state of perpetual change or flux. They are nothing but
a stream of energies, just like the light of a candle or an electric bulb. The
body (as we call it), is not an entity as it seems to be, but is a continuum
of matter and life-force coexisting. As you experience the reality of matter
to be vibration, you also start experiencing the reality of the mind: vinnana
(consciousness), sanna (perception), vedana (sensation) and sankhara (reaction).(http://www.buddhanet.net/bvk_study/bvk21d.htm)
Feminism
Through my studies and living in nature I have cultivated my own understanding of Feminism based on evolution, philosophy and metaphysics. It is a complex, inherently personal and thought provoking subject for me. Ultimately I am considering how woman is necessarily connected to man, child, nature, society and cosmos by understanding how matter exists in Space and is interconnected to all other matter. Female sexuality is considered (and celebrated!) from evolutionary foundations and through the personal cultivation of mind, body and our relationship (both reason and senses) with Nature and the Cosmos. From reading contemporary feminist philosophy I realise this is a very alternative view (as I see things, postmodern feminist philosophy is abstract, very difficult to understand, and thus neither relates nor has any great affect on the everyday lives of women - which should be its central and most important function). Postmodernism, relativism, existentialism and structuralism have heavily influenced modern feminism as the following quote explains;
Postmodern approaches to gender, sex, and sexuality to varying degrees adopt a radical scepticism with regard to the natural and the real, and promote a programme of 'denaturalising' in which the idea of biological essence is dissolved and replaced with social constructionism. (Edmund Standing, Postmodern Approaches to Gender, Sex, and Sexuality - A Critique)
As a feminist, I encourage the cultivation of women's minds to enrich themselves, their relationships and life. However such cultivation is not solely up to the individual and requires the gentle guidance of philosophy to recognise the truth and 'good' in life. Women (and men!) are wonderful biological beasts with an amazing ability to consciously think, choose and make decisions (create thyself that is worth knowing!). My approach is of the middle way between the nature and nurture divide. Both the biological and social exist, evolve, limit and inform one another. To me, feminism is a celebration of this complex interconnection and the joyful wisdom it provides! My work and ideas are deeply influenced by the beauty and sensuality of women in harmony with Nature (how we live and cultivate ourselves within our environment). This cultivation is of the body, mind and environment (which cannot be separated).
Vintage Erotica / Erotic Art
One aspect of my feminine cultivation is an aesthetic appreciation of the beauty
of the female body. Over the past year I have collected a beautiful range of
'Women, Eroticism and Nature' pictures and developed a close affinity with Vintage
Erotica (which portray 'real' sensual women with curves, not the air-brushed
rake thin models of today). I realise though, that some feminists may consider
the use of these images disturbing and rebel against the idea that a women is
(partly at least) defined by how they look.I am more inclined to believe that both the body and the mind are beautiful (and closely interconnected) and try to cultivate both to increase the pleasure and joy of life (for myself and others).
My understanding is that erotic sensual art that depicts the beauty of sexuality is not necessarily demeaning to women (and can actually be empowering). Good erotic art portrays good healthy sex; which is joyful, exciting, intimate, consenting, safe, respectful, and pleasurable. Violence, degradation, the treatment of people as objects and the obvious faking of sexual pleasure (e.g. pornography) has no place in my understanding of quality erotic art.
Philosophy Art Science Gift Shop
'The Gift of Truth Excels all Other Gifts.' (Buddha)
