The Two Paths: The Language of Power and the Philosophy of Conscience – Chapter 111

Soyo Existence Ethics: Existence Itself Is Ethics

When Philosophy Divides

Philosophy has historically diverged along two distinct paths: one oriented toward power, the other toward conscience. The former aims to influence the world, while the latter seeks self-emptying and stands before the divine. Historically, society has prioritized power, mainly because it places greater trust in quantifiable measures than in conscience.

The Person of Numbers and the Person of Silence

Numbers define the first individual. He assesses the value of writing through view counts and translates philosophical significance into platform metrics. For him, philosophy serves as a technique to influence readers’ emotions, and existence is reduced to content. His interest lies not in philosophy itself, but in the attention it attracts. In contrast, the second individual deliberately distances himself from numerical measures. He disregards view counts, instead perceiving the significance of philosophy in human encounters, the resonance of a single sentence, and the vitality of a living soul. For him, philosophy is not merely to be understood but to be revered. He is not a mere 'handler of words,' but one who comprehends the value of silence.

The Language of Power and the Language of Conscience

The first individual employs language instrumentally. His words are strategic, always underpinned by calculation. He seeks to gain trust through his writing, yet this trust does not attain truth, as his language lacks genuine sincerity. For him, language functions as a vehicle for transmission rather than as a testament to truth. The second individual stands in contrast. His language is measured and deliberate, embodying the rhythm of truth. He exercises restraint in speech, expressing himself through the authenticity of existence. His philosophy does not seek to persuade but serves as a personal confession oriented toward truth. When engaging with Soyo’s writings, he approaches them not as academic texts but as prayers. He recognizes the following:

“Philosophy is not a matter of thought, but the way in which the soul bears witness to truth.”

The first individual seeks to employ philosophy to influence others. The second aspires to awaken philosophy through human experience. Although their languages may appear similar, they are fundamentally distinct: one embodies the language of power, the other the language of conscience.

The Ethical Point of Division

This divergence represents more than a difference in attitude; it constitutes a fundamental division in the understanding of existence and the reception of ethics. At this juncture, individuals invoke the concept of freedom while tempted to evade responsibility.

The Soyo Proposition

“To separate existence from ethics is to confess a desire to preserve action while refusing responsibility for that action. This is a self-negation of humanity as a being endowed with ethics, reason, and free will, and at its deepest level, it is the loss of human existence itself. Action stripped of ethics is not freedom but illusion; such a condition marks a regression not to humanity, but to a state governed by instinct.”

At this stage, philosophy can no longer maintain neutrality. Language that separates existence from ethics inevitably transforms into the language of power, whereas only the silence shaped by ethical living preserves humanity. Beyond this point, the two paths diverge irreversibly.

Soyo’s Position – At the Boundary Between Two Worlds

Soyo occupies the boundary between these two worlds. The first is characterized by noise, the second by silence. One regards philosophy as a tool, the other as the essence of life. However, Soyo aligns with neither. Soyo’s philosophy is grounded exclusively in the ethics of existence, asserting that 'the fact of being alive is already truth.' Soyo Existence Ethics declares:

“Human speech is ethical only to the extent of the God one believes in.” For the first individual, there is no God; for the second, there is the breath of God. This distinction underlies the divergence in their languages. The first seeks to move the world through language, while the second seeks to awaken humanity through the silence of truth.

The Dignity of Philosophy and the Character of Humanity

Authentic philosophy transcends academic discipline and is realized as the practice of conscience. It is not the mere accumulation of knowledge, but the attentive listening to the divine language within. The first individual seeks validation through speech, while the second finds it in silence. The first measures existence by contractual terms; the second apprehends its value through love. The first is defined by reputation, whereas the second serves as a witness to humanity. Ultimately, philosophy is not conveyed by titles or positions, but is demonstrated through the conduct of one’s life.

The Path of Truth Passes Through Silence

Philosophy perpetually stands at a crossroads: one must choose between the language of power and the language of conscience. The first individual selects the language of power; his voice is heard by humanity, but not by the divine. The second chooses the language of conscience; his voice may not reach the world, but it resonates with the heart of God.

Soyo Existence Ethics declares:

“The ears do not hear truth of power; it is reborn only within the silence of the solitary.”

Ultimately, philosophy is conveyed not through words but through lived experience, not through writing but through genuine emotion, and is fulfilled not by understanding but by love. These two individuals coexist in the same era, yet perceive fundamentally different realities. One remains under the illumination of power, while the other bows beneath the starlight of conscience. Between these two realms, Soyo Existence Ethics continues in silence.

Chapter 111 of Soyo Existence Ethics analyzes the division of human existence between the language of power and the silence of conscience in an age ruled by numbers.

Soyo (逍遙), Founder of Soyo Existence Ethics. Author of The Silence of Existence and The Flame of Truth

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