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What is "The Absolute"?

jeager106

Learning more about Jehovah.
Premium Member
Yes:
Simple Definition of absolute
  • : complete and total
    : not limited in any way
  • : having unlimited power
  • So what are you attempting to say?
Is there a point of some sort?
 

jeager106

Learning more about Jehovah.
Premium Member
Well, if I were already sure about that, I'd have made that point. I'm really trying to find out whether there is a point to be made or not...

I appreciate your confusion.
Being an atheist are you sure your views are valid and correct given you don't make
any point in this thread?
 

betlamed

New Member
...given you don't make any point in this thread?

It was a question, not a statement. Somebody might add something, and that might help me and others get a better view on the topic. (I might make a point later on, let's see about that...)
 

Orbit

I'm a planet
Is there anything beyond "it is not relative to anything else", which we can say about the absolute?
When I see the phrase "the Absolute", it reminds me of its use in apophatic theology, and by some Advaitan writers to mean the unknowable, ineffable source of the universe. The term points to the idea that we can't define it, and indeed, can't even know what it is. I'm not sure from what context you're deriving the phrase, but this is my understanding of it.
 

Aupmanyav

Be your own guru
Is there anything beyond "it is not relative to anything else", which we can say about the absolute?
It is probably a fact of existence, but very much related to everything else. Brahman. The underlying substrate of all things in the universe, nothing excluded.
Yeah, we do not understand it fully at this time, but perhaps in time, a few generations or a few centuries, we will know more about it.
 

betlamed

New Member
I'm not sure from what context you're deriving the phrase, but this is my understanding of it.

Here's the thing, I always have the impression that "absolute" by itself really should not have to be put into any context.

If "absolute" is the opposite of "relative", i.e., "absolute" expands to "not relative to anything, and specifically not dependent on anything", which I think is the most obvious definition there is, then indeed no context is necessary.

But of course, people do use words for all kinds of things, so I guess I might say my context is from western philosophy, possibly applied to eastern religion...

I think most issues wrt "THE absolute" arise precisely at the moment when one adds the article. It makes the absolute into a thing. And then we can start merrily adding all kinds of attributes to this thing, all the while professing that it is indeed not definable and without any attributes.
 

crossfire

LHP Mercuræn Feminist Heretic ☿
Premium Member
Is it nothing BUT an abstraction? Can we even hope to know whether "the absolute" exists, or does existence simply make no sense with an abstraction like that? (IOW, is it substantial?)
Don't know. Don't care. The universe will continue as it does without my speculating on an abstraction that is abstractly beyond attributes.
 

Tumah

Veteran Member
Is there anything beyond "it is not relative to anything else", which we can say about the absolute?
Yes.
- It is not relative to anything else.
- The Swiss came up with the idea.
- It comes in many flavors.

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