The Material World (Ο υλικός κόσμος)

-From the Meletic Scrolls.

The material world as it is commonly understood is often perceived to be the definitive embodiment of reality. It is for many people, the apparent world we interact with through our acute senses, the realm of tangibility, sensation and physical form. However, within the philosophical system of Meleticism, the material world is not regarded as the ultimate truth or the highest plane of existence. Rather, it is considered the lowest level in the Meletic hierarchy of reality, which is the plane of constant change, the domain of the perishable, and the realm aptly described as “the world of becoming and passing away.”

In this Meletic vision of reality, the material world signifies the finite condition of existence. It is that which is bound by limitation, mutation and temporality. It is within this order that we find the operation of the Logos, the cosmic reason or order that governs all things. The material world is situated within this grand cycle of change. From the perspective of the Nous, which is the intellect or the organising principle of understanding the material world becomes the dwelling place of the hyparxis. The hyparxis is the essence or substance underlying the existential things we observe in physical form. It is the existential presence of each object or entity, not merely its form, but the condition of its being within the reality we inhabit.

To truly understand the nature and scope of the material world, it is essential to distinguish between two fundamental categories, which are the perceptible and the imperceptible things. The former comprises the physical realm, which is the domain of matter, energy, motion and time, whilst the latter encompasses the metaphysical, that which eludes direct sensory perception but remains accessible through introspection, intuition or rational insight. It is through our evolving consciousness that we can apprehend this unique dichotomy.

This dualism between the perceptible and the imperceptible things not only defines our experiential understanding of the cosmos, but also aligns with the philosophical tradition that contends reality can be penetrated and interpreted through human rationality. Although the metaphysical realm may appear abstract or elusive to some, it can be comprehended through contemplation and the application of philosophical reasoning. The notion that there are different levels of reality, which some are visible and others concealed are central to Meletic thinking.

These levels can be arranged in a hierarchy according to their temporal and ontological significance. At the summit lies (Το Ένa) or the One. This is the absolute, the indivisible, the immutable principle of all things. It is not a deity in the traditional sense, but the foundational unity behind existence. To Ena is followed by the Logos, the eternal law of reason and proportion that orders reality. The Logos is logic in its purest form; it is consistent, invariable and eternal.

Next comes the Nous, which is the realm of intellect and reason. It is from the Nous that intelligibility flows and shapes. It represents the principle of rational understanding and the architectural mind behind the universe. Below this is Consciousness, which is the perceptible realm of awareness. It closes the rational things with the experiential things, allowing us to perceive, to contemplate and to evolve. And finally, at the lowest tier, resides Matter, which is the substance of physical existence, the realm of phenomena and forms subject to change, decay and disappearance.

When we observe the material world or the totality of nature, the cosmos and the constructs of human civilisation, we are witnessing a reality that is indeed perceptible, but not necessarily final. It is the world of appearances, where phenomena arise and vanish. If, however, we are willing to look beyond the mere appearances to examine with deliberate awareness the foundations of the world around us, we may arrive at a deeper understanding. We might begin to discern not merely the forms of things, but their essence. Just as a shadow is dependent on the light and the object from which it is cast, the material world is but a projection of more fundamental principles.

Each object in the material world appears to us with a distinct form, yet that form often conceals its deeper essence, which is its hyparxis. We live in an evident world that is increasingly mechanical, superficial and artificial. A world where time is measured by machines, where value is imposed by systems of economic or social utility and where our perception is governed by invention rather than intuition. Within such a world, we often forget the wonder of change and motion, which are the fundamental conditions that make life possible. We are animated by movement, impelled by transformation and driven by a desire to grow, yet we rarely pause to consider the genuine origin of this impulse.

Most people either ignore or fail to notice the philosophical significance of their surrounding world, which are the rhythms of nature, the impermanence of form and the transience of matter. For many people, the material world is all that exists, all that can be seen or measured. In truth, it is only the surface of reality. It is not greater than universal existence, which is a broader condition that transcends physical form and includes the eternal, the unchanging and the ineffable. Universal existence holds precedence over that which merely materialises. It is not bound by form or time, and it is not contingent upon physical laws.

True beauty, within the Meletic view is found in the flow of To Ena, the emanation of the One, as it permeates the cosmos, nature and all known aspects of reality. This emanation requires no anthropomorphic creator god. It is not a divine act imposed from above, but a natural unfolding of being from the One into the many. To Ena, by its essential nature, flows forth into multiplicity, giving rise to the levels of reality, each descending in clarity and permanence until reaching the material form of reality.

From a metaphysical standpoint, this worldview resonates with several ancient philosophical traditions. We find echoes of Heraclitus, with his doctrine of perpetual flux, which is the idea that all things are in a constant state of change, and that permanence is an illusion. Similarly, we recognise in Protagoras the assertion that appearances, though subjective, form the basis of human experience that “man is the measure of all things.”

Moreover, we encounter Aristotle’s understanding of substance and actuality, where physical objects have a teleological essence, a purpose that governs their being. From Pythagoras, we inherit the notion of mathematical harmony as a key to understanding reality. Mathematics as a study was not merely a tool, but a revelation of the cosmos’ intrinsic order.

In Plato and Parmenides, we find the elevation of the ideal above the sensory, which is the belief that true reality lies in the realm of Ideas or Forms. Parmenides spoke of the One as the sole true existence, and Plato adapted this concept into his metaphysical hierarchy, wherein the Forms possess greater reality than their material counterparts. Plotinus enhanced the manifestation of the One, with his triadic hierarchy.

In this realisation, Meleticism positions itself as both a modern and ancient philosophical enquiry. It acknowledges the insights of the past, whilst presenting a systematic model of reality based on consciousness, reason and the gradation of being. The material world, though vital to our human experience is ultimately a veil that conceals the innermost structures of existence. Through contemplation, conscious enquiry and philosophical awareness, we can lift this veil and step closer to the essence that lies beyond mere form.

The material world should not be rejected, but neither should it be overvalued. It is a stage, a necessary veil and a catalyst for reflection. When understood in relation to To Ena, the Logos, the Nous and Consciousness, the material world becomes a meaningful passage through which the soul may journey towards greater awareness and enlightenment in life and with To Ena.

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