Finger-balance, a key in Social Sciences

The ability of man, to communicate in a non-violent way and peacefully solve conflicts, is this a gift of nature? Or do we have to learn it against our natural inclination? The answer to the question decides how in social science disorder and conflicts are treated.
Since deeply rooted in the western world and thinking the body is depreciated and subdued under reason and mind, emotions, will and instincts are distrusted and have to be controlled by reason, ethical rules and laws in order to have the society live in justice, love and peace.

Against this concept of command and control the concept of balance is put by means of the finger rhyme. Obviously the five fingers by their interrelation show how in human feelings, thought and behaviour five basic needs or motivations are vivid, which counterbalance each other. Body and mind therefore are interrelated on an equivalent basis. Hence man from his nature resp. by evolution is talented to get into balance. No feelings, emotions or inclinations are bad or good. Suffering or conflicts indicate, that the balance of those five basic emotions got lost, because one or more of them are missing and should be allowed in order to find a new balance.

Book (in German)

Handbuch der Befreiung

Wie der Mensch in Bewegung kommt, Eberhard Fincke,
Verlag Internationales Kulturwerk Hildesheim, 1995, 130 S., 3,- Euro, postage incl.
Order from the author: fingerreim.bs@cyty.com

Content

By many practical examples it is shown, how along the five fingers one gets a clearer view on personal problems and this way can make more reliable decisions. All necessary aspects in order to keep a balance or regain it are reflected twice, first in theory and after that in practise. Much attention is given to the issue in psychology of perception, that to perceive and to move must alternate, since they are not possible at the same time (Viktor v. Weizsäcker a.o.).
This alternation also characterizes the five basic needs of man, represented by the five fingers. They are desribed to be five “passions”, since each of them for itself leads into suffering. However in concert with the other four, it helps out of crisis, i.e. to liberation or freedom.

Hence a completely new access to the essence of human existence opens up, if one follows the structure of the hand with its five fingers. Actually the issue is not the structure but to get into the motion, it represents or indicates, a balance, that is reached only by moving always from one “passion” to another.

Book

Fingerreime

Heilgard Stieber, Eberhard Fincke, Christine Gholipour Ghalandari,
Verlag Internationales Kulturwerk Hildesheim 2001, 57p.
11,- Euro.

Order from editor: Internationales Kulturwerk
Kirchstr. 38, D-31135 Hildesheim
Tel. & Fax: 05121 12603
IKW.e.V@t-online.de

Content

In this colourful picture-book traditional and new finger rhymes have been collected in order to draw attention to this long forgotten form of poetry. Readers may be encouraged to make own finger rhymes, which allow to say shortly and pleasing to the point, what is crucial to live in health and peace.

Fotographs and drawings go with the finger rhymes nad visualize, what is going on in our thinking. They suggest to look into the various forms and figures in nature and recognize the balance of aspects.
The book shows how by finger rhymes children and adults at the same time may be fascinated, since they on the one hand invite to a simple seeming finger-play, which on the other hand may lead into deep philosophical findings.

Essays on different aspects in German