The World and the Word

                     The Infinite and the Finite

The two basic ideas of mathematics are zero and the number one. All numbers higher that one simply consist of systems that comprise multiple ideas of the number one. For example, whenever a finite mind creates a system called a house, it uses basic necessities such as a set of nails, a set of wooden boards, or a set of bricks and so forth; all of which consist of multiples of the number one. The finite mind also uses the idea of nothing to exclude any idea which will not work to build a house such as the ideas of fire or explosives.

But once a finite mind grasps a basic idea that enters its consciousness, whether concrete or abstract, it can never negate that basic idea. Systems can be reduced to nothingness, but basic ideas cannot. One can burn a house and reduce that system to nothing, but one can never reduce the basic ideas that built that system from the mind. One can reduce the system that is 1-1=0 to the idea of nothing, but one can never reduce the basic ideas of one and zero to nonexistence. For these reasons, whenever one mentally reduces any system to the idea of nothing by subtracting all ideas that compose it, one can still never negate the basic ideas of that system, but one can use the idea of nothing which results from that reduction to indicate an absolute emptiness; that is, nonexistence without consciousness or ideas which can also be called absolute nothingness. In other words, when all ideas that compose a system are mentally subtracted from that system, one is left with only the idea of nothing which indicates an absolute nothingness since it cannot indicate any of the subtracted basic ideas.

Just as the Periodic Table comprises its basic, irreducible elements, so the basic idea of something comprises all basic, irreducible ideas. In order to construct any system, the finite mind must use basic, irreducible ideas all of which derive from the basic ideas of reality called something and nothing. For example, if one desires to build a system called a table, then one must use basic, irreducible geometric ideas such as "straight" or "curved." If one desires to build a hard table then one must use a system that incorporates the basic, irreducible idea called "hardness." One must also use the idea of nothing to exclude the basic idea which will not work in that system called "softness." All of the complicated systems that the finite mind imagines and constructs invariably consists of basic, irreducible ideas. Whenever humans imagine or construct any system they must use basic, irreducible ideas much the same as if they performed a correct calculation in mathematics using its basic ideas of zero and one.

But the finite mind, being fallible, can also construct false systems. False systems invariably use good, basic ideas just as creative systems do. The finite mind simply constructs ineffective or destructive systems by misusing good, basic ideas. Ineffective systems are also destructive because they produce nothing useful. Incorrect mathematical calculations provide examples of such false systems. For example, 2+3=6 is a false system. But every basic idea used in this false system happens to be real and true. The "two," the "plus," the "three," the "equal," and the "six" are all good, basic ideas in this false system which is false because it produces no useful effect. Any possible good effect equals the idea of nothing. But this particular and useful idea of nothing also indicates a much deeper nothingness; that is, an absolute emptiness, an absolute nothingness.

God creates only good and useful systems using His set of infinite, basic ideas which compose the contents of His Infinite Mind. In His innocence, God had no idea that falsity could misuse His good ideas to invent false systems that would corrupt His good creations. The finite mind, being fallible, can construct good or false systems, but God, being perfect, cannot imagine or construct false systems. This condition can only mean that false systems must always be finite, and the Infinite holds all power over the finite. The finite mind must misuse God's good, basic ideas to construct false systems because false, basic ideas do not exist. One finds it quite impossible to think of one. For this reason, all of the basic ideas that compose all good and false systems that one experiences must be true and real.