Telos

Darwin's theory of evolution leaves no room for the idea of destiny. While life is ever-changing, its development comes largely through accidental mutation. Successful change survives while detrimental change does not, all in conjunction with the environment. In contrast, destiny is seen as a romanticized notion that is either projected wish fulfillment or rationalized after the fact. All this supports a mechanized schematic of the world conducive to good scientific theory. It includes life with all its complex diversity, without calling upon the miraculous or inexplicable to explain things for what they are.
    Perennial attempts to assert creationism into science fail. Religious explanations of the world and nature get cordoned off to one side as artifacts, spiritual valuable perhaps, but otherwise misleading.
   The objectivity of science often contends with the subjectivity of human experience, as well it should. But subjectivity does not go away. Nor does it lack value. Ignoring it does not eliminate it's very real influence. In point-of-fact, subjectivity makes possible our use of scientific objectivity, for without it, there is no encounter, no rationalizing process, no meaningful application of scientific truth. Science will always be a measured combination of the two as long as the human mind is part of the equation. Objectivity gains dominance due our subjective respect for its results.
   Ancient Greek philosophers postulated a concept called "telos" that helped them conjecture about the nature of the universe. The word telos can be translated as "goal" or "inner purpose" of a thing. One might describe it as self-emanating determinism. Lacking the insight of Darwin, the rational subjectivity of such notables as Aristotle concluded that the development of life had its own goals, its own purpose. Telos infers not only the goals inherent in a thing, but the force or urge to fulfill them.
   Science easily dismisses such a concept today, but our own subjectivity resists. This is constantly reflected in our vision of ourselves, the world we live in and the art we create. Our affinity toward symbolism and myth, morality and community, seem derived from an inherent sense of purpose and meaning. And while our sense of destiny is often thwarted in reaching its prospective goals, its influence certainly exists, and that influence makes it a functional part of everyday reality. I think most scientists would agree that when we perceive inherent purpose and goals, whether true or not, our reaction gives them substance.
   Telos is unique in that it informs us that we each have purpose and meaning in life that comes from within ourselves. It not only springs forth from the structure and potential of our minds and bodies, it determines them as well. We feel more comfortable approaching this as genetic potential, and that's okay. Genetic dynamics provide a viable explanation for the physical process. The process itself, no matter how we explain it, is real. Seeds grow into trees. Children grow into adults.
   The conflict about telos is that purpose and meaning infer an author or designer, while genetic theory deftly avoids religious inference. Riding the coattails of genetics, it is possible for the concept of telos to do the same. In this way, we take a philosophical definition and carry it into meaningful reality. Something of our moral nature, our impetus to be and to become, is genetically innate. Even if we insist on cultural influence and determinism, the fact that we respond to it comes from within. Telos provides a convenient term that we can utilize for Chivalry-Now.
   Poetically speaking, at its most fundamental level, telos might be described as the tendency of life to acquire more life, more attributes, or consciousness. Who can say that two atoms that combine to make a molecule of different attributes are not exhibiting signs of primitive will, on which more complex life Is born? What is the human mind but a collection of complex molecules exercising an impressive level of sophistication?
   Now, the strict scientist may still balk at the idea of telos as explained in this fashion. Even so, he or she cannot deny that the thinking mind serves to make telos a reality in at least one sense. The human mind projects goals and purpose onto things, and responds to them accordingly. This forms an actual dynamic whereby purposes are planned and achieved. Furthermore, the human mind creates its own goals and purpose as something real.
   Here the esoteric channels of Chivalry-Now come together.

• Ordo Mundi places humanity in the world as part of nature.
  
• The telos of human nature is to realize our own potential.
  
• Human areté defines the height of that potential as compassion and the ecellent use of reason.
  
• The Kairos designates the most auspicious time to initiate much needed change.

We live in a time when the extinction of human life is distinctly possible, due to insane violence, environmental pollution, pandemics, over-population and global warming. The answer to these problems cannot be piecemeal or happenstance. We need to draw from the strength, concern and talents of us all to change the entire milieu that produces these harbingers of death. If we do this, we will propagate a higher authenticity of life for us all, a new Golden Age.