What is Trichotomy? The Facilitator / Part 10

It has been my goal in the last few months to harmonize the threefold nature of man through a Christian and a humanistic perspective. I stated that understanding our makeup is an essential first step to a successful and productive life. I have been examining the segments of the trichotomy with some details. The first 'In" of the threefold is called Instinctive. In my last blog I had listed numerous traits affiliated with Instincts. Today I will focus on the second ‘In’ - Intelligence. Some may say that we are living proof that there’s no intelligence life in the universe, however I digress. Our central filter; the intelligence which can also be refered as our soul, has an amazing purpose. But before I share this purpose, I am fully aware that many believe that men are divided in two segments and not three as I and many others claim. They break it down to two parts; the animal (instinctive creature) and the celestrial (high moral creature). The names may vary but they are essentially the same. All that really matters is that they believe that there’s two parts (dichotomy) to man.

"Can we trust the physical to
make a moral decision? Can
we trust the spiritual to
surrender to an instinct?"

Let me tell you my problem with dichotomy; it’s wrong! If we are govern by two sides which one leads and which one ‘stands down’. Which sides determines the outcome. And would not this unilateral arrangement favour a side? How can we strive for harmony and balance between the physical and spiritual when one side holds veto power? Can we trust the physical to make a moral decision? Can we trust the spiritual to surrender to an instinct? It is obvious that we need a middle ground, a center which can reason both sides. We need a facilitator.

What is Trichotomy? The Animal in Us / Part 9

As promised, I will now examined each segment of the trichotomy with greater details. The first 'In" of the threefold is called Intuition. In my last blog I had listed numerous traits for every segment. Today, however I will focus on the right side of the table - the physical.

Survival / Self Preservation	Survival is limited to oneself or self-interest (kin)
5 Senses	See - hear -smell - taste - feel ( neurological-network) Instinctive
Pleasure / Pain Driven	Top and bottom - no in between. Safe or unsafe. Good or bad. Fight or flight.
Fear	Short-term fear (reacting and not contemplative) Primitive emotion - not a true emotion. All animals have this type of fear. However contemplative fear is another story.
Singularity	All about "ME"
Self-Reliant	Seek no assistance. Managing on their own
Independent	Tends to lead and　rebel
Personalize	Leaves his/her signature of life on everything. Everything must be about him. Ego-centric to perfectionism
Disassociates	Recluse / Hermit - seek no socialization.
Self-Serving	Serves one cause - himself.
Animal	Primitive creature

Without the mental or the spiritual, we are reduced to a primitive creature. We must be properly balance in the trichotomy but as humans we experience pitfalls from time to time. This does not negate responsibility of our actions.