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%GENERALIZATION UNIQUE CIRCUMSTANCE SMALL DIFFERENT+930816
   %PREDICT FAIL CONTROL COMMAND RULE LAW INTEGRITY+930816
     %TEST PERSONAL EXPERIENCE POWER CORRUPT ADDICT 930816

     Generalizations  seek  to point to what is in  common
among  many situations in spite of what is unique to  each
situation.  Generalizations in the sciences often point to
the  common consequence of some common set of  conditions;
describing "laws"  of nature.  Such generalizations say in
effect that if certain conditions are set up, then certain
consequences  will follow---to the extent that  conditions
are   duplicated   with  sufficient  accuracy  to   permit
predictions of meaningful accuracy.

     Generalization may be descriptive,  as is the case in
scientific  descriptions of how natural objects behave  in
"obedience" to natural "laws".  One of the most accurately
predictable  patterns  in  nature is the  pattern  of  the
motions of the planets of our own solar system.  Yet,  not
even  the  future  positions of the planets in  the  solar
system  can be predicted with meaningful accuracy  for  60
million   years  into  the  future.    The   accuracy   of
predictions  depend  upon the level  of  complexity,   the
accuracy of known initial circumstances,  and how far into
the future the attempt at making predictions points.

     Generalizations  may  be  prescriptive  in  character
based upon some descriptive  statements about consequences
of particular   decisions,    actions,     and   generated
circumstances.    Prescriptive  generalizations are  often
based upon the conviction that descriptive generalizations
are  accurate and reliable.   Certain things should/not be
done  because  we  think we know what the consequences  of
them are sure to be.    Other prescriptive generalizations
are  made  to be matters  of ultimate  concern,   and  are
treated as gods or idols; not to  be  questioned or tested
in  the  light  of  the experiences of real  unique humans
talking  about their own personal experiences  openly  and
honestly within secure contexts.

     When prescriptive generalizations are made matters of
ultimate  concern and divorced from being tested  honestly
in  terms of  human  experiences, those who are ultimately
concerned about the prescriptive generalizations engage in
idolatry.   They  contend that the prescriptions shall  be
obeyed  even  if the consequence of such obedience is  the
destruction of all  forms  of life on planet earth.   They
disallow  the  possibility   of   discovering   that   the
prescriptive  generalization is disintegrative of personal
and  communal wholeness,   health,   and well-being.   The
commands  of  prescriptive generalizations are,  in  their
view,  given to us to  obey  without question in selective
scriptures  which  have  been carefully chosen to meet the
needs of the people who abuse the scriptures to meet their
own personal needs.

     Descriptive    generalizations    and    prescriptive
generalizations   are  individually   and/or  collectively
regarded  as the essence of God;  or as what God wants for
us,  desires for us,  or issues as commands to us.  It  is
idolatrous  to threat them as such.   People who do  treat
them as such  often set  themselves  up  as self appointed
legislators,  administrators AND judges in God's  Kingdom;
and  arrogate  to  themselves  excessive   powers  without
restraints---and become intolerant,  unforgiving,  abusive
and  violent people who try to dictate how  others  should
behave,  or else.  Such people occasion much estrangement,
misunderstanding,   and alienation;  and so help to create
many evil relationships.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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