C-149. The Excalibur effect
Excalibur, the sword drawn by Arthur from the stone, demonstrating (as legend has it) his right to English sovereignty and arming him invincibly, can be viewed as an example of late-stage functionality (C-97) … as the product (“sword which,” analogous to the “person who”) of a tempering technology so perfected (e.g., to cut iron as if wood) as to satisfy all of a sovereign’s needed functionality (NF).
In this sense of accomplished functionality, “Excalibur” can be seen as an R-name, analogous to an R-word (C-107: e.g., “effect”). And in this sense we should also see Excalibur as much more than the stone’s (and then Arthur’s) sword. Excalibur begins as NF. Excalibur is developed capability. Excalibur is composing and composition. Excalibur is to be exercised. Excalibur satisfies NF (re both f behavioral and situational problems: I).
From the full perspective of Realization (App. XIX; C-111), and not from the limited perspective of Excalibur as a special behavioral entity (i.e., late-stage functionality that confers authority as well as helping miraculously), Excalibur is better seen as an R-entity (C-147).
Does this imply that, in response to NF, any development constitutes a contribution to tempered swordness? That perhaps, given that we are unlikely to find one, and given our technological shortcomings in manufacturing such a magical sword -- (0: see our many and various unsolved problems) … then perhaps the thing to do is to make swords of ourselves: to see ourselves as, and to work toward becoming, Excalibur R-entities?
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The conferring of authority is no mere act of honoring. It implies that Arthur, as leader, now possesses a solution to the behavioral problem (I:Pbeh), this in addition to a means for handling this or that situational problem (I:Psit) amenable to individual effort.
This ability (capacity capability: C-148) can be dubiously characterized, over-simply and with bias, by taking the concept of “authority” to assert decision-making power and responsibility – this in defiance of a needed functionality via the developed interdependence of responsibility and capability (XI), of the need not for someone to decide on behalf of others but for someone to lead them in what they must come to be able to do together.
(c) 2016 R. F. Carter
In this sense of accomplished functionality, “Excalibur” can be seen as an R-name, analogous to an R-word (C-107: e.g., “effect”). And in this sense we should also see Excalibur as much more than the stone’s (and then Arthur’s) sword. Excalibur begins as NF. Excalibur is developed capability. Excalibur is composing and composition. Excalibur is to be exercised. Excalibur satisfies NF (re both f behavioral and situational problems: I).
From the full perspective of Realization (App. XIX; C-111), and not from the limited perspective of Excalibur as a special behavioral entity (i.e., late-stage functionality that confers authority as well as helping miraculously), Excalibur is better seen as an R-entity (C-147).
Does this imply that, in response to NF, any development constitutes a contribution to tempered swordness? That perhaps, given that we are unlikely to find one, and given our technological shortcomings in manufacturing such a magical sword -- (0: see our many and various unsolved problems) … then perhaps the thing to do is to make swords of ourselves: to see ourselves as, and to work toward becoming, Excalibur R-entities?
***
The conferring of authority is no mere act of honoring. It implies that Arthur, as leader, now possesses a solution to the behavioral problem (I:Pbeh), this in addition to a means for handling this or that situational problem (I:Psit) amenable to individual effort.
This ability (capacity capability: C-148) can be dubiously characterized, over-simply and with bias, by taking the concept of “authority” to assert decision-making power and responsibility – this in defiance of a needed functionality via the developed interdependence of responsibility and capability (XI), of the need not for someone to decide on behalf of others but for someone to lead them in what they must come to be able to do together.
(c) 2016 R. F. Carter
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