(New Instrument of Threes)
- Preface page B-
(The Study of Threes)
http://threesology.org
What this New Organ of Threes describes is an analysis of the analysis taking place in all subject areas. It not only identifies existing patterns-of-three which may be products basing their structure to mimic some already existing threes formula, but also those that are actually different formulas masquerading as patterns-of-three, and those which are structures not viewed as a three-part structure but do belong to what may be described as a member of the pattern-of-three "family" of examples such as the line, circle, triangle ensemble, or the triangle in and of itself, or the three -to- one (three, two, one) ratio.
However, making a claim for a "New Organ of Threes" along the course of a "Threesological" field study, requires the examination of multiple, if not every subject field, one of which is philosophy; since a study -of- threes is very much related to the topics of knowledge, truth, and logic. A "Threesological" perspective is not one in which the intent is to undermine current views of logic, knowledge and truth, but to present perspectives of consideration that might well not have been seen before.
Systems of Logic take many forms that some attempt to reduce to mathematical configurations while others presume there are too many variables for the present systems of mathematics to quantify, much less give some symbolic voice to; thereby requiring a different type of analytical formulation not yet considered. This type of logical structure, whatever form it may ultimately take, is at present, a golden fleece, an (El Dorado) City of Gold, or Philosopher's stone in terms of discovering the process by which base metals might be turned into gold. With such a frequent historical interest in Gold, there obviously exists a gleam in the eye of humans whose origin may the result of an extended observance (and eventual worship) of the golden Sun. However, such things are not typically discussed in mathematics nor enterprises involving inquiries into logic. While one may understand a logical structure as designed and developed, the pristine origin thereof in terms of human development is an expansive void of misunderstanding.
In the pursuit of developing a New Organ of Threes, one must venture into very many pristine origins of different sciences, religions and various other social enterprises such as governing structures in an attempt to unravel not only the basic scaffolding as understood, but the basics of these basics and then again the basics of these deductions as well. For example, it is presently a convention for all the known atomic particles (and perhaps those presently assumed to exist for which there is no current evidence for); to be placed into a "three family" configuration generalized into Stable, Unstable, and Highly Unstable particle(s) headings. While to most such knowledge is taken matter-of-factly, a Threesologist such as I have sometimes referred to myself as, views this as a very curious entity when it is placed alongside the very many other three-patterned configurations which have been amassed and placed into various types of lists.
At first, we simply ask why three? And if in reply someone would say that this configuration is due to the types of particles being found, we must wonder if human perception might not be wrong because of the "threes" knowledge we have acquired. While we do in fact question the integrity of those that have developed the three family model, we do so not to ridicule and hold up to public scorn; but to question the validity of using such a model since it, in terms of "three", is the same pattern being widely used in other subject areas. In short, we hope that a knowledge-of-threes will help to further knowledge, and not set it back to some prehistoric age of numerically referenced superstition.
Our means of questioning such an integrity, to be applied in all subject areas, can be exemplified by comparing the three-family model of particle physics with the "three person" model of trinitarian concepts, be it of a present or past ensemble. At present, for example, when someone claims that the Christian Trinity of "Father, Son, Holy Spirit" are based on the same notion as that used by physicists when claiming its structure is based on the information found, regardless of appendaged evidence to support one or another claim, we must wonder why both insist on using a model of "three" just like:
- Geneticists claim there is a triplet coding system in DNA and RNA.
- Linguists say there is a tri-modal structure to language (subject, object, verb).
- The Olympic's has three medals (Gold, Silver, Bronze).
- Musical triads (not to mention the frequently used 3rd letter in the alphabet "C" reference.
- 3- based Freudian psychology (Id, Ego, Superego).
- 3-angle valve job on internal combustion engine cylinder heads.
- 3 right hand corner options used for computer screens (minimize, maximize, get out of).
- Time concepts (seconds, minutes, hours..., past, present, future).
- And the multiple other examples which could be provided.
In other words, is the "three" an actual, natural, logical structure which humanity should feel secure in the usage thereof in order to pretense a virtue of right-ness, or is it something humanity should be concerned about because we have seduced into accepting the usage of that which, like being over-exposed to the Sun, can produce a cancer? Is the "Three" a type of unrecognized cancer... yet it is not the only type? And when using the word "cancer" to describe growth and persistence, it is not meant as a disparagement because the "three" has usefulness, but as a life-form which uses a host... but ultimately leads the host to a point of no return? Has humanity reached such a point now, not because individuals can not acknowledge the "cancer", the "virus", the "mistletoe", but because governing systems (governments, religions, businesses) will refuse to alter their self-serving courses regardless if it means the demise of all?
And this refusal to change is not because it doesn't see the possibility of cancerous development, but in its analogous defense to maintain its presumed course-of-correctness established by its constitutions, scriptural tenets or by-laws; it says that not everyone gets cancer and there are means and methods of protection... all the while rejecting the knowledge of wide-spread changes in the environment which affects all life forms and the altering relationships of the planets to the Sun. Each of them presupposes itself as virtuously correct and justified to maintain its present course even when they have the same information. Each interprets it differently and may well support one another if the public cry for change becomes very loud.
In terms of three-patterned constructs, is the "three" evidence of truth as described in our systems of logic, regardless of what terrain of language and labeling one is predisposed to use (i.e. physics, mathematics, genetics, art, music)? Or is it perhaps a symbol, a code, or a metaphorical representation providing us with a tell-tale sign of a greater clarity of our present reality that we are able to discern by adopting a different perspective being suggested by the present discussion? What is the recurrence of so many "threes" in different subjects outlining to our human perception that most people are not making a mental picture of? What is it telling us that we aren't permitting our own consciousness to apprehend with an articulate voice of recognition? Why are most people refusing to acknowledge the wide-spread recurrence of patterns-of-three and use it as a tool of analyzing the analysis used by others?
A further problem occasioned by this type of thinking is that when a pattern does re-occur, it becomes interpreted solely in terms of the mental and emotional (not least of which is the physiological) predispositions of a given individual. For example, if they are predisposed towards mathematics; a recurring pattern, if it has not already been studied, may become part of a mathematical-based inquiry, interpretation and representation. If the person is predisposed towards a religion, a perceived pattern will most likely be interpreted in this context. In short, each person attempts to collect, analyze and interpret the phenomena with that which they come to be comfortable with. This becomes particularly important if one becomes faced with one or more others who object to their cataloguing methodology, analysis, and interpretation, not to mention attempted application thereof. In other words, their interest needs a means of defense to shield them against attacks.
Some might want to claim that a Natural Law is a Universal truth. While perhaps not applicable to every situation in the entire Universe, they may or may not be in agreement with, it is nonetheless a "Universal" truth within the limitations of our understanding. Yet, with this said, such a truth does not automatically negate all assumed existing "Universal" Lies. Such truths are specific applications to a given situation. Like a particular system of logic, they may not necessarily be applicable to all things outside the area in which they were observed.
Hence, not only is there a limitation of observation in that one has to use a particular type of perspective in order to witness the truth, but one has to employ a system of one or more exclusions. Simplistically, the observation of an orange in a basket of apples is an anomaly that may draw one's attention away from the apples momentarily, but if it does not repeat in the presence of one's observation and others who may witness the same event don't record or make mention of their experience... not to mention that all the observers may not have any contact with one another in order to share experiences; the anomalous event may never develop into a topic of further consideration or investigation. In short, it becomes excluded and is not placed into the equation of a developed Universal truth as a viable variable.
The same thing has occurred with the recurrence of three-patterned groupings. For some, the "threes" are an anomaly, a curiosity, and a collection thereof like a menagerie of miniature glass figurines someone has collected over an extended period of time. Below are three examples. (The bunny's ears are up because both of its bookends are squawking.):
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While most of us have seen various figurines from time to time, an amassed collection gives way to the realization there are indeed many more examples than one might assume to exist by the un-numbered instances we have personally witnessed them. And such a realization opportune's the attendant acceptance that the existence thereof requires an active search for this particular item in order to amass such a collection. Yet, most do not include the acknowledgment that the collector, for whatever reason, has developed an "eye" for recognizing such a pattern, in such a way, which might be concealed amongst various other curiosities. However, most collections are not developed by the collector into a philosophical interpretation.
For example, someone who collects baseball cards typically does not attempt to create a larger appreciation of baseball cards, much less arrange their collection into a science-equivalent Taxonomy... even if some might want to argue that a classification system based on team, years, printing company, or a player's personal playing statistics is as close as one might expect to achieve accordingly. Indeed, for collectors, there is no developed science of collecting, though some have tried to establish a working model by way of establishing hobbies and becoming self-proclaimed experts.
All of us appear to be collectors. And each of us in our own way think that what we collect is most important, with the word "important" individually defined. Be it money, music, movies, pictures, quilts, cookbooks, saddles, guns, coins, butterflies, paintings, etc., which includes other descriptions such as curios, museum pieces, artifacts, antiques, and the "odd thing".
The following image is an interesting collection of images seen on butterflies which were collected and assembled into a commonly recognizable pattern sequencing by Kjell Sandved. It is entitled the Butterfly Alphabet:
But collecting also takes place amongst other life forms, typically in the context of survival such as food for eating or supplying nourishment to young, or materials to be used in the development of a housing structure such as a den, nest, or cave. Some "collect" by way of making use of what is immediately available in a given location, while others actively search (collect in memory) what is thought to be a most advantageous spot for either an extended or short-term stay. Suffice it to say that collecting is not limited to human behavior.
Many people also actively conceal one or another collection, which includes using one or more collections to conceal the existence of one or another collections, such as a person concealing the "collection" of several lovers. We sometimes call an activity of concealment an act of camouflage, an act of cheating, an act of strategy, an act of disguise, an act of lying, an act of deception, an act of brilliance, or some other such label describing that which is interpreted good or bad. Such labels are an act of analysis of the person with respect to a given collection. While an analysis may or may not come right out and say good, bad, good and bad or some medial position thereof, the analysis can well be a long one and constitutes a collection of one's perceptions. As such, a book on a given topic is a collection of letters, letters into words, words into sentences, sentences into paragraphs, paragraphs into chapters, symbols, grammatical rules, sentence structure, ideas, etc., about a given subject. But most authors do not describe, much less made an analysis of the very many "threes"-rule-of-thumb being employed.
Let me provide a list that you may or may not be actively familiar with, but have not taken the time to catalogue nor analyze:
- Subjects may employ a Beginning - Middle - End formula.
- 3 sentence ending punctuations: Period - Question Mark - Exclamation point.
- 3-part mnemonic rule-of-thumb: I before E except after C.
- 3 Noun types: Person - Place - Thing
- 3 Pronoun types: First person - Second person - Third person
- 3 Personal Pronoun Cases: Subjective - Objective - Possessive
- 3 Personal Pronoun Genders: Masculine - Feminine - Neuter
- 3 Verb Moods: Indicative - Imperative - Subjunctive
- 3 Verb Inflections: Tense - Mood - Number
- 3 Distinctions of time in (Verb) senses: Ring - Rang - Rung.
- 3 types of Verbals (special forms of a verb):Gerund - Infinitive - Participle
- 3 Adjective comparison degrees: Positive - Comparative - Superlative
- 3 Affix subdivisions: Prefixes - Infixes - Suffixes
- 3 basic correct punctuation units: Phrase - Independent Clause - Dependent Clause
- 3 word variation categories: Antonyms - Homonyms - Synonyms
- 3 sentence Types: Simple - Compound - Complex
Now let's list a few related examples:
- 3 library researches: Author - Title - Subject
- 3 basic parts to all languages: Subject - Object - Verb
- 3-model structure of all languages: Phonology - Grammar - Lexicon
- 3 parts to speech: Consonants - Vowels - Supra-segmentals
- 3-modal structure of language: Subject - Object - Verb.
- 3 stress forms in language: Primary - Secondary - Weak
- 3 English Language divisions: Old - Middle - Modern
- 3 Archaic Chinese Language divisions: Early - Middle - Late
- 3 successive stages of writing development: Logography - Syllabography - Alphabetography
- 3 great writing steps: Sumerian phonetization - West Semitic syllabary - Greek alphabet
- 3 Mayan Codices: Dresden Codex - Madrid Codex - Paris Codex
- 3 languages on Sumerian Cuneiform: Semitic Babylonian - Indo-European Persian - Elamite
- 3 writing systems on Rosetta Stone: Hieroglyphics - Demotic Script - Greek
- 3 writing systems on Behistun Rock: Old Persian, Akkadian (or Babylonian), Elamite. (The three languages are sometimes given as Old Persian, Assyrian and Susian.)
- 3 (talking) drills: Imitation - Substitution - Transformational (Guided repetition to instill a particular aspect of language in a learner).
- 3 (Noam Chomsky) transformational grammar components: Phrase-structure - Transformational - Morphophonemic
- 3 types of syllable stress by Sebastian Shaumyan (1987): Strong/Dynamic - Quantitative - Tonal/Musical
- Tripartite division of language classification by the Linguist August Schleicher: Isolating - Agglutinating - Inflecting. Influenced by Darwin, he proposed that his three types represent different stages in the evolution of languages. He made an attempt to support his views by using analogies to nature: Isolating (crystals) - Agglutinating (plants) - Inflecting (animals).
And for another type of selection, let me begin by providing a few physiologically-related examples with others available via the links provided:
- 3 Esophagus parts: Pars Cervicalis - Pars Thoracica - Pars Abdominalis
- 3 single and 3 pairs of cartilage compose the frame (skeleton) of the larynx
- 3 salivary glands: Parotid - Submaxillary - Sublingual
- 3 intrinsic muscles of the tongue: Longitudinal - Vertical - Transverse
- 3 muscles elevate the mandible: Masseter m. - Temporalis m. - Medial pterygoid m.
- 3 nerves to the larynx: External laryngeal nerve - Internal laryngeal nerve - Recurrent laryngeal nerve
--- Remarkable Frequency of Threes in Anatomy ---
Irrespective of all the "threes" we find, let us not be too quick to assign it as a rational system of logic with the term "rational" defined as something good and not suggesting of some possible harmful representation that we should not analyze. It may be a frequent pattern, and a pattern we identify with various structures of logic defined as unassailable truth be they termed a natural law or not; for which we feel confident in subscribing our personal philosophies to, with and because of; it may well be a pattern more closely aligned with a directed extinction than providing a clue to self improvement... that is, unless we take the time to analyze the pattern from the perspective of a new system of logic derived from a reconsideration of our present knowledge in light of a different value of truth. The Novum Organum Threesiarum (New Instrument of Threes) is a concerted effort in this direction.
H.O.B., Monday, April 07, 2014 10:23 AM (It was actually 9:23 because I hadn't changed the time on the computer since last fall.)Update Posted: Friday, April 11, 2014
HTML (4.01) update: Friday, May 31, 2019... 4:21 AM
Your Questions, Comments or Additional Information are welcomed:
Herb O. Buckland
herbobuckland@hotmail.com