LAW OF THREE (18) Three Centers of Discernment

THE LAW OF THREE (18)   Three Centers of Discernment

Metaphysics are based on three conceptions so broad and consequently indefinite that they are hard to seize and may easily be overlooked. I call them conceptions of the First, Second and Third. First is the conception of being or existing independent of anything else. Second is the conception of being relative to, or the conception of reaction with something else. The Third is the conception of mediation, whereby the first and the second are brought into relationship. C. S. Peirce (1839-1914)

Our attention is permanently engaged in the inner conflicts between our needs and desires for security, affection, power and control. 

We experience an endless internal dialogue between our sensations, feelings and thoughts. When the three voices eventually come to an agreement an instant respite may ensue, immediately reoccupied  by a new triadic dialogue.

Example: We may be shopping for a pair of shoes. We notice in a shop window an attractive pair  of shoes priced within our budget.  We try them on and find them extremely uncomfortable. We like the shoes, the price is right, yet they hurt our feet. Will we buy the shoes? It depends on the nature of the presiding ego. If we are  dominated by feelings of  liking /disliking we may decide to buy the shoes and find reasons for doing so. But in this case the decision will not be a true decision.   Our sensitive feet did not approve of the shoes and the like-dislike would have won the day.   Habit or Ego would have taken sides and lend its power to our usual pattern of decision making. This could explain why our wardrobe is full of lovely but uncomfortable shoes never worn.