chan6es is changing....
Heraclitus was an ancient
Greek philosopher who lived about
100 years before Plato. He wrote a
book around 500 B.C. which did not survive,
but over 100 fragments from
his book are known today based
on quotations found in the works of other ancient authors.
One of Heraclitus famous quotes is change is the only constant in life, but how true is this quote?
Greek philosopher who lived about
100 years before Plato. He wrote a
book around 500 B.C. which did not survive,
but over 100 fragments from
his book are known today based
on quotations found in the works of other ancient authors.
One of Heraclitus famous quotes is change is the only constant in life, but how true is this quote?
" Upon those who step into the same rivers flow other and yet other waters. All things . . . are in flux like a river. "
A river is constantly in a state of flux because of the natural conflicts multiple Geo-forces inflict upon bodies of water. Scientists call a movement of river water a current that is generally stronger near the rivers head waters or source. Forces of change emerge when currents of water come into conflict with other natural and un-natural life forms. The changes impacting on the flow of water contribute to the constant state of flux that may contain a process of constant changing should the state be influenced by intentional actions. Stepping into a current of water can be an intentional animal action resulting in a disruption to the otherwise "free" flow of the water.
The physics of biological life in and upon a body of water can be unmistakable to us because of our intellectual power to scientifically control, observe and measure our interactions with it. However, should the natural realities of a body of flowing water (river) be similar to the natural realities of a body of humanity (society), the natural reality would probably more closely represent a metaphor for life rather than the scientific reality of the observed life as itself. Should the metaphor for life be that change is the only constant in life, then it may be assumed that control could be the deciding factor in whether or not life is constant. Should control be the case, the variable factors in a natural flow of water may be change agents, with the resulting current a result of many change agents impacting on the environment causing the nature of the body of water to constantly be in a state of disrupted flow better understood as changing. This could mean that the only constant in life is changing should changes be the start and stops of disruption in a body of water like a river. Flowing on from this kind of argument is the thought that should the only constant in life be changing, could the force of control in life be the change?
The commonly held belief that Heraclitus wrote "change is the only constant in life" or "the only constant in life is change" suggests a controlling force that is not supported by any Heraclitus written evidence. It may be more fair to say that Heraclitus thought about change as flux which would change how we think of the only constant in life as a state of flux, now disrupted by "agents of change" impacting on the flux through their very own processes of changing. Other than Heraclitus post death reputation as being a leading philosophical thinker of change, from the fragments of his writings quoted in esteemed historical literature, we can only continue to guess at what he truly believed about change, despite common belief. To learn more, click on Heraclitus of Ephesus.
The physics of biological life in and upon a body of water can be unmistakable to us because of our intellectual power to scientifically control, observe and measure our interactions with it. However, should the natural realities of a body of flowing water (river) be similar to the natural realities of a body of humanity (society), the natural reality would probably more closely represent a metaphor for life rather than the scientific reality of the observed life as itself. Should the metaphor for life be that change is the only constant in life, then it may be assumed that control could be the deciding factor in whether or not life is constant. Should control be the case, the variable factors in a natural flow of water may be change agents, with the resulting current a result of many change agents impacting on the environment causing the nature of the body of water to constantly be in a state of disrupted flow better understood as changing. This could mean that the only constant in life is changing should changes be the start and stops of disruption in a body of water like a river. Flowing on from this kind of argument is the thought that should the only constant in life be changing, could the force of control in life be the change?
The commonly held belief that Heraclitus wrote "change is the only constant in life" or "the only constant in life is change" suggests a controlling force that is not supported by any Heraclitus written evidence. It may be more fair to say that Heraclitus thought about change as flux which would change how we think of the only constant in life as a state of flux, now disrupted by "agents of change" impacting on the flux through their very own processes of changing. Other than Heraclitus post death reputation as being a leading philosophical thinker of change, from the fragments of his writings quoted in esteemed historical literature, we can only continue to guess at what he truly believed about change, despite common belief. To learn more, click on Heraclitus of Ephesus.
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All thoughts, all creeds, all dreams are true, All visions wild and strange ; Man is the measure of all truth Unto himself. All truth is change, All men do walk in sleep, and all Have faith in that they dream: For all things are as they seem to all, And all things flow like a stream. Tennyson |
It is " nothing else " than the change from being into non-being and the reverse. The way down is transition into being; the way up is the return into the pure and free negativity of non-being, motion in the undisturbed ideal harmony (Id. Vol. 2, p. 241 ff.).
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" Years ago, when I was going through some difficult times, a friend told me, “Just remember. Nothing ever stays the same. This too shall pass.” Her words truly helped me as I had been feeling as if “this was it.” My guess is a lot of people feel this way when they are experiencing trauma — they just assume they will always feel the way they are currently feeling. While we all, on some level, know that change is inevitable, somehow it’s a concept that’s often easy to forget. Indeed, those who are suffering greatly and contemplating suicide typically feel as if nothing can or will ever change for them. They have lost hope. My friend’s thoughts were not original of course. Heraclitus, a Greek philosopher, has been quoted as saying “change is the only constant in life.”
I think many of us have a love-hate relationship with change.... " to read more from Janet Singer of Psych Central, click HERE |