A map of origins

The Three Questions

Two of the questions actually divide worldviews: where matter comes from and where the self comes from. Each can be answered the same three ways — created, eternal, or left open. Plot one against the other and the family resemblances appear. Organization (②) — how it's all arranged — is a near-universal yes, so it rides along as a small tick.

③ consciousness → ① matter ↓
Created a positive origin
Eternal uncreated
Silent set aside
Created a positive origin
Eternal uncreated
Silent set aside
created — a positive, generative origin eternal — uncreated, always existed silent — set aside ②✓ answers organization
Reading the map

Pick a belief to begin

Rows are how a worldview answers where matter comes from; columns are how it answers where the self comes from. The diagonal holds the worldviews that answer both the same way.