The Threshold of Ignorance

that can be measured and assessed concretely.

But in the example of the tree, the water molecule or the relationship between matter and energy remain in the realm of the unknown if we inquire after its presence, its origin and its governing laws and the material that makes these substances what they are. These component facts can reach its illusionary status should we inquire into the why questions. It can even attain its absurdity level if its presence is put to question.

 A pine tree represents a certain category of trees, itself representative of the tree symbol and floras; ultimately the life-cycle. Should we reduce it to its constituent elements of roots, trunk, branches, leaves, flowers and fruits, we are analysing its symbolic structure. For at every level of its development we are faced with symbolic systems that can be compared and contrasted with other types of trees.

At the level of its cellular structure and processes of survival (means of nutritional-soil-air-light-sun) that keep it alive and developing in a specific manner (stemming in earth and flourishing into the atmosphere), we are always facing a representative of a tree. Our image of this tree represents our symbolic representation needed for identification and communication. There is nothing in the pine tree that tells us it is a tree of pine. It is simply our agreement to identify it as such. It is a form, a shape that impinges its presence on our perception in line and colour.

 Problematic of identification

Our problem is to identify an object. How do we identify an object? What are the criteria necessary to identify an object? How do we know an object is an object? What are the characteristics necessary for

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