A General Theory of Authority by Yves R. Simon

Author:Yves R. Simon [Simon, Yves R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Muriwai Books
Published: 2019-07-22T18:30:00+00:00

TRUTH AND COMMUNITY

The problem under discussion would be less difficult if we first succeeded in formulating the general conditions required for the spontaneous production of order. In some cases, a set of random events brings about results that can be predicted with constant success. If a die is cast according to the rules of the game, any particular face will turn up about one time out of every six. Calling “favorable case” the turning up of a selected face, let it be said (1) that there will be a discrepancy between the factual ratio of favorable cases to the total number of trials and the a priori formula of probability 1/6; (2) that, as the series of trials goes on, this discrepancy increases indefinitely in absolute value; and (3) that it do creases indefinitely in relative value. Each individual result is unpredictable. Indeed, without disorderliness on the part of the individual events, no statistical order would emerge: that is why the player shakes the die in the cup and acts absent-mindedly. The fact that order is in some way produced by disorder is unquestioned. The whole controversy is about the cause of this paradoxical happening. Referring to Aristotle’s analysis of chance{49} (automaton), it is quite appropriate to say that this production of order is spontaneous, or automatic. The words “spontaneous,” “spontaneity, are used by several translators for the word automaton, whereby Aristotle designates an end-like event which actually happened without having been intended either by nature or by reason.{50} In spontaneity so understood, things take care of themselves,{51} and a desirable result is attained just by allowing a plurality of causes to act independently of any plan. An example would be the way truth takes care of itself in the competition of the market, according to Justice Holmes.

Aristotle’s analysis deals with an individual event which, in spite of its end-likeness, is easily distinguished from intended events. The end-like event which happens automatically has no ground in any essential unity, accordingly, it is a rare occurrence.{52} A desperate person may jump out of the window precisely at the time when a truck loaded with mattresses passes by. The landing is smooth, but this should not be expected to happen twice. Now, in a series of random events, regularity may appear and, as long as we are dealing with a series, it can be said that things take care of themselves with regularity. But not all things behave so nicely. There are cases where order stubbornly refuses to emerge from disorder, no matter how long the series of trials. Many multitudes are such that no exposure to casual occurrences will ever cause in them the slightest beginning of order. If a box contains balls similar in all respects except that some are white and some are black, shaking the box in the most random fashion does not separate the black from the white. Should the white balls actually congregate on the right side and the black ones on the left, we would

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