Wednesday, February 06, 2008

Geometric Philosophy.

The actually title of this post is:
"Geometric Philosophy (and the theological implications therein; as if there can't be theological implications)"
I didn't have a very good geometry teacher in high school. In fact, my best friend and I sometimes actually taught the class. Geometry and philosophy are things that have always just "clicked" for me.
There is a somewhat commonly used phrase cited as, "It (meaning something) comes full circle." Can something really "come full circle?" What does that even mean? If a circle is not a full circle then it is not even a circle at all. A not full circle would be an arc (not to be confused with anything involving Joan, the Covenant, or Noah). The entire concept of a circle, however, may only be accepted if one presumes that an infinite number of points between two other points can proceed infinitely to connect with yet another point.
Confused? Try to understand God.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I will agree that your geometry teacher was less than stellar, since I too had the same geometry teacher.

As far as whether or not things can "really come full circle," I would pose the question why not?

Are we talking physically completing a full circle (i.e. a lap around countryside village, i suppose your still familiar) or do you mean metaphorically (i.e. my life has now come full circle seeing as how i was born in Portsmouth OH, moved to Wheelersburg OH, went to college in Athens OH, moved to Philadelphia PA, moved back to Wheelersburg OH, and now again reside in Portsmouth OH.)

Anonymous said...

i would argue for the third dimension. Sphere.much like the sun, or the earth.

I think it's fascinating that the sun is limited in size, according to the outer extent of it's flaming gasses, but the measurability of the light that comes off of it seems to shine through all of this galaxy from corner to corner, or this community of stars, providing life, warmth and light to all who roam our system.

not to even attempt to answer your question or anything, but to draw a second metaphor, which you can ask more fundamental questions about God and post-modern mathematics

Anonymous said...

Perhaps "coming full circle" is the way an intellectual red neck attempts to impress others with an an analogy ---
"you reap what you sow" or "what goes around comes around"

PS I will closely monitor adjectives used for your Chemistry/Physics teacher.

Anonymous said...

Cheater. A circle may need to be closed, but the path of a point along that circle is not necessarily the circle. The point's path would come full circle at the point it reached/passed/occupied its original position on the circle.

Matthew 5:38-48, NASB

"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone want to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only you brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."