Christian Thomas Kohl The Metaphysical Foundations of Buddhism and Modern Science

merely that the equality of two and three with five assimilates the fact
of the equality of thrice three with nine, nor can the number eleven
assimilate the number sixteen. Any of these mathematical notions may be
illustrated, but the fact is more than the formulae illustrated.
Section VIII. The final problem is to conceive a complete [the Greek
word for complete is often wrongly translated as absolute] fact. We can
only form such a conception in terms of fundamental notions concerning
the nature of reality. We are thrown back upon philosophy. Centuries ago
Plato divined the seven main factors interwoven in fact: - The Ideas, The
Physical Elements, The Psyche, The Eros, The Harmony, The
Mathematical Relations, The Receptacle. All philosophical systems are
endevours to express the interweaving of these components. Of course,
it is most unscholarly to identify our modern notions with these archaic
thoughts of Plato. For us everything has a subtle difference. But for all
these differences, human thought is now endevouring to express
analogous elements in the composition of nature. It only dimly discerns, it
misdescribes, and it wrongly associates. But always there remain the
same beacons that lure. Systems, scientific and philosophic, come and go.
Each method of limited understanding is at length exhausted. In its
prime each system is a triumphant success: in its decay it is an
obstructive nuisance. The transition to new fruitfulness of
understanding are achieved by recurrence to the utmost depths of
intuition for the refreshment of imagination . In the end – though there