Psychologists do about everything they can to avoid getting caught up in philosophical polemics such as the mind-brain controversy. It is fair to say that most psychologists would like nothing more than to carry-on their work in the calm of scientific detachment. Brainstorms and passions do not lend themselves to the dispassionate analysis that is supposed to be the hallmark of the academy. But when a storm is brewing there is another place to look for calm. That is in the eye of the storm, and that is where we should be looking for wisdom.

No metaphysical issue has ever been resolved, so those who have been looking for greater certitude have done well to avoid metaphysics. But I am not looking for certainty, only for wisdom, and there may be a world of difference. With certainty we all die. With wisdom we can all live, and even do so with grace.

It remains unresolved as to whether existence is physical or mental or both or neither. To my mind we are thus presented with a clear choice. What ought we to believe? And I have thereby begged the question. 'Ought' is a purely mental construct. We can and ought to believe that the world is a mental construct. From this simple choice there follows human destiny and human salvation. This is no choice -- this is our fate. This belief has comprised the core of human wisdom down through the ages.

I am an agent for this truth. You may stop me if you can. The greater truth will win the day, and that day may be this one. We all know about academic politics, and I claim to know a little bit about cosmic politics. So let us all pull our strings, and then we might find out which is the longest string and that one might lead us beyond where we presently seem to be stuck in our modern intellectual gridlock. Fair enough?

Dan Smith

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rev. 2/8/98