CONTRARIES

Theoretical physics assumes the task of explaining  phenomena which are observed. Things outside of the mind become subject to the reasoning power of the thinking brain. Without theories, observations are unrelated. There is no cohesive pattern into which to fit the separate pieces of data which the senses send to the brain. Sometimes there is contradictory information which suggest contrasting theories. Scientists find it hard to tolerate pieces of data which don't agree but it would be unwise to ignore data which does not fit the prevailing assumptions. The trick is to find an explanation which assimilates the disparate information rather than rejecting it. 

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Songs of Innocence and of Experience
Plate 36

Blake's reliance on contraries was his solution to incorporating information which appears to contradict accepted information. The solution is not to discard either contrary, but to discard the requirement that contraries agree. Being forced to choose one contrary or the other, negates the delicate balance between them. Each contributes aspects to a pattern which is intricate and dynamic. Each can be applied in a situation which is suitable to the distinctive contribution which it offers.

This was Blake's way to deal with dualism. The contraries did not represent a duality but the synthesis of a higher unity. Refusing to accept this unity was the negation which destroyed the contraries because neither could exist without the other. If a contrary were labeled Good, the other contrary would have to be labeled Evil. This labeling to Blake was eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, and this was what continually separated man form God. Unless a man discards his proclivity to think in terms of Good and Evil in favor of thinking of Error and Truth, he loses his perception of the infinite, eternal nature of God. Error can and should be annihilated. Evil is the shadow side of Good and will be eliminated when it is overcome by Good - that is when Good has expanded until Evil is imperceptible. When all that can be learned from the contraries has been learned, they will be seen as a unity with many dimensions.    

We are not forced to choose between the law and the gospel, between wrath and pity, between justice and mercy, between woe and joy or between any two dichotomies. If we see both as contributing to a higher truth we are not fooled by the 'cloven fiction.

THE GATES of PARADISE, For The Sexes, Keys, (E 268)
"5    Blind in Fire with shield & spear 
     Two Horn'd Reasoning Cloven Fiction 
     In Doubt which is Self contradiction
     A dark Hermaphrodite We stood             
     Rational Truth Root of Evil & Good
     Round me flew the Flaming Sword
     Round her snowy Whirlwinds roard
     Freezing her Veil the Mundane Shell
6    I rent the Veil where the Dead dwell   
     When weary Man enters his Cave
     He meets his Saviour in the Grave
     Some find a Female Garment there
     And some a Male, woven with care
     Lest the Sexual Garments sweet           
     Should grow a devouring Winding sheet
7    One Dies! Alas! the Living & Dead 
     One is slain & One is fled
8    In Vain-glory hatcht & nurst
     By double Spectres Self Accurst                        
     My Son! my Son! thou treatest me
     But as I have instructed thee"

Jerusalem, Plate 40 [46], (E 142)
"All that can be annihilated must be annihilated  
That the Children of Jerusalem may be saved from slavery
There is a Negation, & there is a Contrary
The Negation must be destroyd to redeem the Contraries
The Negation is the Spectre; the Reasoning Power in Man
This is a false Body: an Incrustation over my Immortal           
Spirit; a Selfhood, which must be put off & annihilated alway
To cleanse the Face of my Spirit by Self-examination."

Matthew 19
[16] And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
[17] And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.
[18] He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
[19] Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
[20] The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?
[21] Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. 
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