Chaos

(image courtesy of fimfiction.net)

 I was inspired to write this by the great film Ran (1985) directed by the legendary Akira Kurosowa. Ran means chaos or pandemonium in Japanese.

Chaos is essential to the principles of existence. We all frown at chaos but it is a necessary movement in creating a new central authority. What we call order is the principle that all social elements are centralized through a particular individual, institution or political body. Chaos is more or less the principle of decentralization and the new order comes when a new central authority emerges. The move to decentralization is a very detailed process which normally results in upheaval. This upheaval creates a sense of despondency in those tied to the old order because they cannot imagine life without the old order. The old order dies a natural death because there are new elements within the social framework which do not wish to submit to the old centralized authority. The old order tends to cast judgment on these new chaotic elements as they begin to emerge because they know that it represents a state of dissolution for their society and way of living. The chaotic elements can remain in a state of anarchy or chaos until someone or a group of individuals take it up on themselves to create a new order by subduing the chaotic elements. This new order is created on a new basis because the old order cannot return. The chaotic elements acknowledge this development of a new centralized authority because it embraces those elements once considered chaotic. Chaos is vital in shattering the old order although it leads to a great upheaval. Constant chaos is not a good thing because the lack of a centralized authority means that nothing new will emerge from the melting pot. Those who emerge from the chaos are heroic in some respects or villainous. Things cannot remain in a state of decentralization because there will be no unity from a political or economic point of view. A perpetual state of democracy, for instance, which encourages decentralization leads naturally to chaos.  There are many voices that are directionless but there are some with the aim to make their viewpoint the dominant one. It is a never ending battle until hardline measures are taken to sway others through tough or violent measures. Chaos is always difficult to control and even if authority in the current central body is so significant that it seems as if all chaotic elements are subdued it is only for  the present because when bodies begin to age then the cracks will emerge and through the cracks come the chaotic elements. Those subdued become victorious and eventually the new central authority will have to grapple with new chaotic elements. It is never ending but it makes life exciting. The decisions that make or break us are a response to the emerging chaos that will emerge once you tackle the preexisting social element in which authority is centralized. Chaos is at the heart of the great theoretical debates, artistic creations, cultural expressions, the expansion of economic activity and the creation of new political bodies.

 Chaos is not such a bad thing after all.