V-2nd - Chapter 10, Part II: What is Man?

[Mark Kohut]

CLOCKWORK UNIVERSE
Descartes' mechanistic view has man living in a clockwork universe. In 
Descartes' system of matter in motion, God simply causes motion to exist. He 
merely gives the world a shove, to get things started. As first cause of motion, 
he provides a fixed and constant amount of motion according to the laws of 
geometry and mechanics. After that, he does not interfere. Thus the universe is 
a mechanical clockwork system of bodies in motion according to the laws of 
physics. Particles move on impact with one another in a purposeless mechanical 
motion in the clockwork universe.

I am also going to suggest a link between Pynchon's 'clockwork automaton' line 
and a theological question per Laura's bringing up a 'religious' notion.
That is, determinism.....all our actions are caused and effected.........and 
linked to Calvinism and the surety of the damned being known in advance...
because all our actions are foreknown by Him.......................



----- Original Message ----
From: "kelber at mindspring.com" <kelber at mindspring.com>
To: pynchon-l at waste.org
Sent: Thu, November 4, 2010 12:43:46 PM
Subject: V-2nd - Chapter 10, Part II:  What is Man?

Too lazy (too human) to type this all out, but another wonderful, 
thought-provoking Pynchon passage (p. 310):

"In the eighteenth century it was often convenient to regard man as a clockwork 
automaton..."

19th century: heat-engine with 40% efficiency

20th century: something which absorbs x-rays, gamma rays and neutrons

Why has Man been so intent on comparing himself (ourselves) to an inanimate 
object?  Kind of the opposite of positing a religious deity, which gives us the 
luxury of accepting without understanding.  If we're merely machines, we can be 
drawn, dissected, predicted and completely known.  Not to mention that gives us, 
as machine-creators, a godlike status.  A seductive metaphor for anyone with a 
reasonably large ego who's willing to truncate the nuances of human emotion and 
experience.

The 21st century version is undoubtedly "Man is a computer."  Lots of sci-fi on 
the topic, anyhow.  Questions such as:  can human memories be downloaded?  
"Whether we're based on carbon or silicon, we all deserve the same respect."

Laura