Now that we have learned the primary lesson (Of each thing, ask: What is it in itself?), we can move on to the method of understanding reality. My particular method (and every human being has his / her own method really), is through structures and systems. I define a structure as a static (or quasi-static) arrangement which is meant to direct some process, but doesn't provide any help (dynamism) to the process. (Any thing that "processes" somethings, be it materials or numbers, is a process). I can define a system as the sum total of a structure and the processes contained in it. So, a system is a dynamic quantity - it changes with time unless the inputs and outputs are in some sort of "equilibrium". A house is a structure, while a family living in the house would make the whole thing a system. The family provides the processes - motion, consumption, conversation, quarrels, studies etc. The point to see here is that the structure, even though it is passive (doesn't provide dynamism or force to anything), directs the processes still. The shape and feel of our surroundings dictate many if not most of our actions.
Now for a little bit of complication: humans (and living things) are different from non-living things. So, there are TWO sets of structures and systems on Earth - the living and the non-living. And these two sets are mutually incomprehensible. Almost. Life cares, but nature doesn't. By caring, I mean that life puts values on things which are utterly unconnected to the laws of nature. In a way, the laws of nature provide the structure for living things to operate in. But this is a structure that is inviolable - it cannot be broken or replaced or stepped out of. Life is limited by nature. Systems are limited by their structures.
So, what did life do to cope with nature? First of all, it spread far and wide and diversified - so that no single condition of nature can threaten it. It developed organisms with brains, parts of which could do calculations and figure out the laws of nature. Life is dynamism itself. It can adapt to a wide range of conditions. But it stays as fragile as it ever was in billions of years of its existence on Earth. (More on this topic in next post.)
