Four Elements
There are four representative elements that shaped the modern era. The first is modern science. The second is the modern accounting system. The third is modern democracy. And the fourth is modern sports.
However, the economic system has not yet been established. This is causing confusion in modern society.
Understanding the elements common to these four matters reveals the ideal future society and economy.
The elements common to these four matters are as follows:
First, mathematics. It is quantitative. The characteristics of mathematics are its visuality, operability, and logic. The fact that it is visible, operable, and logical has been a major factor in the development of mathematics. At the same time, it is important that the logical structure is universal.
Second, it is empirical. It is fundamental to eliminate metaphysical problems and derive the laws behind the phenomena that appear as objects. Therefore, the essence is realism and materialism. It should not be misunderstood that metaphysical problems are being neglected or denied. They are respected and valued, but are temporarily put on hold. The law exists because it is based on the spirit of the law. However, codifying the spirit of the law is meaningless. It can only be assumed.
Third, it is realism. The foundation is always reality and facts. Metaphysical existence is neither affirmed nor denied. However, it denies the conceptual substance as the basis of logical reasoning and inference. As a result, inductive methods based on observation and experimentation play an important role.
Fourth, it is logical positivism. In logical positivism, the premise proposition is an arbitrary assumption. Experiments are conducted based on hypotheses, and results are produced. The procedure of proving the hypothesis with the results is necessary. In such logical positivism, procedures and processes are important. This is also true for democracy. Games like chess and shogi can be seen as competitions of procedures. Sports are an extension of this.
Fifth, it is relativism. An arbitrary relative space is set. The premise is arbitrariness. Arbitrariness means that there is will. Nothing is established where there is no will. That is the essence of relativism. Physical units are relatively fixed standards. In contrast, economic units, such as currency units, are relatively variable standards. This makes economic laws complex. However, currency units are also linear.
Sixth, it is the principle of law and rules. Modernity is based on arbitrary rules. Once a law is established, conclusions are deduced. The problem is the consistency between laws. Mathematical logic can prove this consistency mathematically, but in society, which is an artificial space, there are cases where this consistency cannot be maintained. This is where politics intervenes. In the world of sports and accounting, this consistency is maintained to some extent. Therefore, sports and accounting systems have a solid foundation.
Seventh, it is the concept of contract. The concept of contract is fundamental to democracy. The concept of contract here does not simply refer to agreements between humans. It refers to concepts that are mediated by some universal existence. Contracts are based on procedures. Therefore, procedures are important. Contracts are based on the premise of formalizing agreements. In science, this is hypothesisism. Agreements are about the possibility of understanding, and science bases its foundation on reality and verifiability. Contracts are based on agreements and procedures. It is also consensualism. There is initial agreement in parliament and procedures.
Eighth, it is the concept of field. When a certain force fills an arbitrary space according to certain laws, a field is formed. Real space is formed by these fields overlapping. Each overlapping field is independent and connected by matter or self as a medium. Therefore, if the laws of each field are clarified, the laws behind the phenomena can be elucidated. This is a very important element when considering a democratic society.
Ninth, it is structuralism. The concept of structure is important when considering modernity. Democracy is particularly structural and institutional thought. When organizations and systems are assumed, they inevitably become functionalist. Logic also has structure. This logical structure is one of the important elements that express thought. Dialectics is a good example. However, dialectics is incompatible with modernization because it cannot prove consistency. Without proving consistency, it becomes a kind of mysticism.
Tenth, it is functionalism. The important thing is function. Function makes structure dynamic. Structure seeks stability, while function does not. Sports are functions. Sports are activities.
Eleventh, it is informatization. When considering modernity, the flow of informatization cannot be overlooked. The flow of informatization is trying to change the essence of the monetary economy. Modernity is facing a new phase due to the information revolution.
Twelfth, it is universalism and generalization. The essence of science is generalization. By generalizing, science has become universal. Airplanes flying in communist countries and airplanes flying in liberal countries fly on the same principles. Airplanes flying in Christian countries and airplanes flying in Islamic countries are the same. Modern people think this is natural. However, there was a time when this was not considered natural. There was a time when people born in different families, races, or believing in different gods were considered different creatures.
Thirteenth, it is standardization. Sports were established by standardization. The more standardized it is, the more individual abilities stand out.
Fourteenth, it is openness. Openness is also populism. It can involve anyone. An open society and system greatly advanced modernity. By sharing knowledge, information, and technology, humanity was able to obtain a common ground.
Fifteenth, it is liberalism. Freedom is brought about by laws. The freedom of sports is guaranteed in an artificial space created by rules. There is no freedom in a lawless society.
Sixteenth, it is individualism. Science, democracy, accounting, and sports are not represented by individual names. Science and technology have made great strides by guaranteeing individual free research and rights. The root of this is individualism.
Seventeenth, it is the concept of time. There is some form of definition of the concept of time. Time is a unit of change. In accounting and sports, units of time and change are defined. For example, accounting periods, sports rounds, counts, sets, and times. The definition of time plays an important role. The problem of time is how to mark irreversible changes. Everyday time seems universal, but nothing is as relative as time. Sports are a good example. The time during which sports rules are valid is limited and individual. It can be stopped. However, the commonality is that it is an irreversible change. How to define this time specifies the space-time.
Eighteenth, it is egalitarianism. It is characterized by thorough elimination of attributes and abstraction. The result is egalitarianism and meritocracy. However, the egalitarianism here is not equalism. The existence of sports with handicaps is a good example. In sports, attributes unrelated to sports are excluded. In extreme cases, even gender differences are ignored. They are evaluated based on achievements and abilities. This means equality in a logical sense. In other words, theory does not recognize hierarchy or authority. Family background, race, and social status are not considered. That is equality.
The current capitalism has a structure that begins to decline as soon as it matures. This is because capitalism contains an irreversible structure.
An arbitrary relative economic space is set, laws are established, and an economic field is established. By constructing an institutional structure in the economic field, the functions of the economy are controlled. This is structural economics.