Tertium Organum: a key to the enigmas of the world (Aziloth Books)

As always, P.D. Ouspensky’s thinking, writing, and exposition are impeccable. One of the greatest thinkers I’ve ever read. Truly, a magnificent book. However, whoever edited/published this edition did a disservice to the reader so immense it is a travesty of informational dissemination. Never (except once) in this brilliant book does the publisher deem it necessary to use quotation marks for the extensive use of other authors’ ideas presented here. The result: One never knows for sure if Ouspensky or the other is doing the “talking.” What begins as irritation becomes angry dismay for this unconscionable neglect. I would find myself suddenly disagreeing with this brilliant writer, only to discover by later reference it was not he speaking; it was just someone he had quoted (without quotes) earlier. A shameful performance by the publisher.

great book

The subject matter is pretty abstruse so TO is not a casual read. Nonetheless, the prose style is surprisingly accessible, though many of the concepts are not. The work itself amounts to an impressive exercise in intellectual imagination. Not that Ouspensky engages in a flight of fancy. Instead he attempts to ground his metaphysics in reasoned exploration of everyday phenomena, such as oneself, others, nature, etc. It helps by way of background to have some acquaintance with that giant of western philosophy Immanuel Kant, particularly his treatment of time and space, phenomena and noumena. Frankly, I found the first part where Ouspensky grounds his metaphysics more understandable and stimulating than the last, which is more complex, blending into the mystical. There he attempts to do what Kant’s constraints on the phenomenal world couldn’t do-- break out of time and space into the impenetrable world of noumena. But that’s just my estimation. Anyway, for folks willing to be challenged, his examples and reasoning may well open up new frontiers of thought. Whether those frontiers are ultimately true or not, the challenge remains mind bending in a creative good sense.

Challenging read but we'll worth the while.

I'm glad to finally own this masterpiece of esoteric writing! A gem!

This is one of those great Books that has suffered because of a lack of readership capable of comprehending it. If one has the left brain traits necessary to grasp the transfinite logic and mathematics, then the mystical implications are ungraspable. And if you have the right brain intuition to understand the mystical implications, then you often struggle with the logic and mathematics. This book requires a reader with not only a first rate mind, but also a balanced one. To briefly abstract the primary thesis: time is really motion in extra dimensional space. This is profound, for Ospensky was the first to actually point towards where an actual, physical fourth dimension can be found. Our brains confuse this dimension with time. It can be split off from time with an adjustment, or evolution, of consciousness. You see, this represents the next huge leap in understanding the nature of the universe and reality. Just as Newton's undefined quantity of "gravity" was shown to actually be curved space, so does Ouspensky show Einstein's undefined quantity of "time" to be motion through higher physical dimensions. If you want a book that will challenge you, this is it. One day these ideas are going to shake the very foundations of mainstream science, of mankind's collective view of "reality"....

What does “things in themselves” mean? Does this mean that “things” ie. a wooden table has the intelligence to recognize itself as a wooden table? I got lost!

I enjoy reading Ouspensky's books when I want something intellectual about the metaphysical. He came up with some very interesting ideas. The end of this book was hard to get through, felt like it got off track (for me). But those who are interested in expanding their horizons can always get something from him. Not light reading.

fantastic book... conclusion of philosphy and science till known.. Indication toward highest Reality in scientific terms..Love it

PD Ouspensky had the ability to think on a level beyond most. His ideas and insights and depth of thought are truly remarkable. An underrated genius of his time. A New Model Universe and Tertium Organum are true classics.

This is not a book that I could enjoy or be informed through. It may well be so for other readers. Not for me!

Those who want to explore the universe in relation to their own consciousness will love this book..

The format is in Q&A, which works quite well. Many people in today's society consider themselves intelligent yet fail to examine the root source of their speculations and perceptions... This skips a logical step of factual analysis. How objective a thinker can one be without examining the core of one's assumptions? Today, scientific method is thrown around as encompassing the totality of empiricism. It is seen as the holy grail of truth, yet isn't making anyone immortal. Scientific process has been "fetishized" as the end all and be all. Unfortunately, most "objective" thinkers are so busy following the crowd they miss how subjective the scientific process is. In computer programming code, garbage in equals garbage out. Therefore, human beings must put effort into understanding the inputs we are exposed to or we risk building on faulty knowledge. I would highly recommend in Search of the Miraculous, it is wonderful for any spiritual seeker. That being said, if you consider yourself more of a pure philosopher or metaphysical thinker, perhaps The Fourth Way, or Tertium Organum, may be better for you. Overall, Tertium Organum and The Fourth Way are far more cold and dry than Search for the Miraculous. Sterile may be the correct word. I found Tertium Organum and The Fourth Way represent an overly analytical and scholarly "treatise" on Gurdjieff's ideas. Its somewhat of an extraction of the ideas, but without the soul. This is probably related to the reason Ouspensky separated from Gurdjieff and ceased to follow the path; He missed out by overanalyzing, while missing the true essence of the teachings. It is said that philosophy attempts to fill an empty cup with an empty cup. This is essentially like Ouspensky, who never managed to quench his thirst. I find Ouspensky's train of thought somewhat overactive like a rat on a treadmill, he needed to step off and learn to embrace stillness to see real truth.