The Subject-Superject
The term ‘subject’ has been retained because in this sense it is familiar in philosophy. But it is misleading. The term ‘superject’ would be better. The subject-superject is the purpose of the process originating the feelings. The feelings are inseparable from the end at which they aim; and this end is the feeler."
Whitehead, Alfred North. Process and Reality
Whitehead, Alfred North. Process and Reality
Superjecting
About twice a week, I strap my guitar on my back and head to a local memory care unit, where I volunteer to lead sing-alongs. At first glance, it might seem like I’m the performer and they the audience, but on a deeper level, we are all performers. As I sing, they clap, tap their feet, and often sing along. Together, we co-create the performance. We are not just subjects of our own experience; we are also, to use Whitehead's term, "superjects" for one another, influencing and shaping the experiences of those around us. Our time together is a moment of community and co-creativity. It’s a small-scale representation of how process philosophy views the cosmos—a dynamic, relational process where every action, interaction, and moment contributes to the ongoing creation of something greater than itself.
This realization has given me new insight into Whitehead's idea of the superject. It seems to me that one of the most important things we can do in life is to become life-nourishing superjects for others: for other humans, certainly, but also for the more-than-human world. To my mind, this is one of Whitehead's most important and least utilized ideas. If we see ourselves only as subjects of our own experience and not as superjects, we neglect the impact our lives have on others and on the future. We fall into the solipsism of the present moment. By recognizing our dual role as both experiencers (subjects) and influencers (superjects), we can understand our potential contributions to the world. We can also better understand the ways in which we may harm others. The key to life is to commit ourselves to creative and compassionate superjecting as best we can and to realize that the very meaning of our lives depends on it.
This realization has given me new insight into Whitehead's idea of the superject. It seems to me that one of the most important things we can do in life is to become life-nourishing superjects for others: for other humans, certainly, but also for the more-than-human world. To my mind, this is one of Whitehead's most important and least utilized ideas. If we see ourselves only as subjects of our own experience and not as superjects, we neglect the impact our lives have on others and on the future. We fall into the solipsism of the present moment. By recognizing our dual role as both experiencers (subjects) and influencers (superjects), we can understand our potential contributions to the world. We can also better understand the ways in which we may harm others. The key to life is to commit ourselves to creative and compassionate superjecting as best we can and to realize that the very meaning of our lives depends on it.
The Superject: A Technical Explanation
In traditional metaphysics, the focus often lies on the subject—the self or the experiencing entity that interacts with the world. Whitehead, however, introduced the concept of the "superject" to complement and expand this idea. In his process philosophy, each "concrescing subject" is not merely a subject that undergoes experiences but also becomes a superject, an objective reality that influences other entities after completing its process of becoming.
The Process of Becoming: Concrescence and Satisfaction
Concrescence: This phase involves the concrescing subject synthesizing its experiences, shaped by its past, environment, and the "lures" or possibilities offered by God. During concrescence, the subject actively forms itself by integrating and responding to these influences.
Satisfaction: Once the process of concrescence is complete, the concrescing subject achieves satisfaction. At this point, it ceases to be a subject in the making and becomes an objective reality—a superject. This transition marks the shift from being an active, subjective experiencer to a determinate fact in the world.
The Superject as Objective Reality
The superject represents the completed state of a concrescing subject after it has fulfilled its process of becoming. As a superject, the entity now exists as an objective outcome of its subjective experience. It exerts causal influence on other entities, becoming part of the objective reality that others encounter and experience. In this way, the superject is the "objective residue" of the subject's journey through concrescence, persisting in the world as a fact that continues to influence the ongoing processes of other entities.
By introducing the idea of the superject, Whitehead offers a way to understand how experiences and actions, once completed, do not simply disappear but become embedded in the world as lasting influences—objective realities that shape the future experiences of others. This concept highlights the ongoing impact of each moment of experience, underscoring the interconnectedness of all entities in the universe.
Two Perspectives
The superject, in Whitehead's process philosophy, can be understood from two intertwined perspectives. On the one hand, it is the outcome of a concrescing subject's self-creative process, representing the final state that the subject becomes through its decisions and experiences. On the other hand, as an aspect of the objective world, the superject becomes part of the ongoing process of reality, actively present in the subsequent entities that prehend it. This means that when a new subject begins its own process of becoming, it prehends the superjects of previous entities, incorporating them into its own development. Thus, the superject is not only the culmination of an entity's becoming but also an integral part of the subsequent entities, shaping and influencing the continuous flow of creativity and existence in the world.
The Process of Becoming: Concrescence and Satisfaction
Concrescence: This phase involves the concrescing subject synthesizing its experiences, shaped by its past, environment, and the "lures" or possibilities offered by God. During concrescence, the subject actively forms itself by integrating and responding to these influences.
Satisfaction: Once the process of concrescence is complete, the concrescing subject achieves satisfaction. At this point, it ceases to be a subject in the making and becomes an objective reality—a superject. This transition marks the shift from being an active, subjective experiencer to a determinate fact in the world.
The Superject as Objective Reality
The superject represents the completed state of a concrescing subject after it has fulfilled its process of becoming. As a superject, the entity now exists as an objective outcome of its subjective experience. It exerts causal influence on other entities, becoming part of the objective reality that others encounter and experience. In this way, the superject is the "objective residue" of the subject's journey through concrescence, persisting in the world as a fact that continues to influence the ongoing processes of other entities.
By introducing the idea of the superject, Whitehead offers a way to understand how experiences and actions, once completed, do not simply disappear but become embedded in the world as lasting influences—objective realities that shape the future experiences of others. This concept highlights the ongoing impact of each moment of experience, underscoring the interconnectedness of all entities in the universe.
Two Perspectives
The superject, in Whitehead's process philosophy, can be understood from two intertwined perspectives. On the one hand, it is the outcome of a concrescing subject's self-creative process, representing the final state that the subject becomes through its decisions and experiences. On the other hand, as an aspect of the objective world, the superject becomes part of the ongoing process of reality, actively present in the subsequent entities that prehend it. This means that when a new subject begins its own process of becoming, it prehends the superjects of previous entities, incorporating them into its own development. Thus, the superject is not only the culmination of an entity's becoming but also an integral part of the subsequent entities, shaping and influencing the continuous flow of creativity and existence in the world.
Mathematicizable and Qualitative
Dimensions of the Superject
Mathematicizable Dimensions
The mathematicizable dimensions of the superject are those aspects that can be quantified, measured, or otherwise expressed in mathematical terms. These include:
- Spatiotemporal Coordinates: The position and time at which the superject exists or is realized can be described mathematically using coordinates in space and time.
- Magnitude or Intensity: Certain qualities of the superject, such as its intensity or the strength of its influence on subsequent occasions, can be represented as scalar quantities.
- Relations or Vectors: The relationships between different superjects, or between a superject and its prehensions (how it is affected by other entities), can be described using vector mathematics, expressing directional dependencies or influences.
- Probabilities: In some interpretations of process philosophy, particularly those that align with quantum theory, the potentialities involved in an actual occasion's realization might be described probabilistically, where the superject could be associated with certain probabilities.
The qualitative dimensions of the superject refer to the aspects that are not easily captured by mathematical descriptions. These involve the rich, subjective, and experiential qualities that characterize the superject as an outcome of a process of becoming. These include:
- Aesthetic Qualities: The superject embodies certain aesthetic or qualitative aspects, such as beauty, harmony, or dissonance, which are not purely quantitative but deeply qualitative.
- Emotional Tones: The emotional or affective dimensions of the superject, such as feelings of joy, sadness, or satisfaction, are qualitative and subjective, reflecting the lived experience of the occasion.
- Value: The intrinsic worth or value that the superject has, both for itself and in relation to other entities, is qualitative. This reflects Whitehead’s emphasis on the importance of values in the constitution of reality.
- Meaning or Significance: The meaning or significance of a superject within the broader context of the universe is qualitative, as it contributes to the unfolding narrative of the cosmos. This significance is felt rather than calculated.
- Purpose or Teleology: The purpose or end that a superject serves, which is tied to the subjective aim of the actual occasion, is qualitative. It expresses the intentional or purposive dimension of the occasion, which cannot be reduced to mere quantity.
In Whitehead’s thought, the superject thus encompasses both quantitatively measurable aspects and rich qualitative dimensions, both of which are essential for understanding the full nature of reality in process philosophy.
Divine Superjecting
In process theology, God is understood in relational terms, where God is not an omnipotent ruler imposing will upon the world but rather a loving presence that participates in the unfolding of the universe. Indeed God is the living whole of the universe understood as a concrescing subject and and a perpetual superject.
God as the Ultimate Superject
As entities undergo their process of becoming, God absorbs these experiences, integrating them into the divine life. This means that every moment of existence, every joy and suffering, contributes to the evolving nature of God. God, in turn, superjects this integrated reality back into the world, offering new possibilities, guidance, and love that shape future experiences.
The Dual Role of God: Subject and Superject
Just as individuals function as both subjects and superjects, God too operates in this dual capacity. As a subject, God feels and experiences the world, responding to the joys and sufferings of all creation. As a superject, God embodies the sum of these experiences and exerts a formative influence on the world. This divine superjecting is not coercive but persuasive, offering new possibilities for harmony, beauty, and justice—what process theologians often refer to as the "divine lure."
Divine Superjecting as Co-Creation
In this context, divine superjecting can be understood as an ongoing act of co-creation. God invites all beings to participate in the creation of the future by responding to the divine lure toward novelty and goodness. Every decision, every action taken by individuals, contributes to this cosmic process. As these actions are integrated into God’s experience, God superjects new possibilities into the world, enriching the process of becoming for all entities.
The Ethical Implications of Divine Superjecting
Understanding God as a divine superject has profound ethical implications. It suggests that our actions are not isolated but are woven into the very fabric of the divine life. Our choices contribute to the ongoing evolution of God and the world, emphasizing the importance of living with intention and compassion. By aligning our actions with the divine lure, we participate in the co-creative process of bringing forth a more just, loving, and beautiful world.
Divine Superjecting and Human Responsibility
While God’s superjecting offers new possibilities, it is up to individuals and communities to actualize these possibilities in their lives. This places a significant responsibility on us to be mindful of how our actions contribute to the world’s becoming. Divine superjecting provides the possibilities, but human action determines their realization. In this way, divine superjecting serves as a call to live in a way that reflects the love, creativity, and justice that God continually offers to the world.
Conclusion: Living in Harmony with Divine Superjecting
In the process context, to live in harmony with divine superjecting is to recognize our interconnectedness with God and the world. It calls us to be active participants in the ongoing creation of the universe, mindful of how our actions contribute to the divine life and the future of all beings. By responding to the divine lure and striving to superject love, justice, and beauty into the world, we fulfill our role in the process of becoming, co-creating with God a reality that reflects the richness of experience and the depth of divine love.
God as the Ultimate Superject
As entities undergo their process of becoming, God absorbs these experiences, integrating them into the divine life. This means that every moment of existence, every joy and suffering, contributes to the evolving nature of God. God, in turn, superjects this integrated reality back into the world, offering new possibilities, guidance, and love that shape future experiences.
The Dual Role of God: Subject and Superject
Just as individuals function as both subjects and superjects, God too operates in this dual capacity. As a subject, God feels and experiences the world, responding to the joys and sufferings of all creation. As a superject, God embodies the sum of these experiences and exerts a formative influence on the world. This divine superjecting is not coercive but persuasive, offering new possibilities for harmony, beauty, and justice—what process theologians often refer to as the "divine lure."
Divine Superjecting as Co-Creation
In this context, divine superjecting can be understood as an ongoing act of co-creation. God invites all beings to participate in the creation of the future by responding to the divine lure toward novelty and goodness. Every decision, every action taken by individuals, contributes to this cosmic process. As these actions are integrated into God’s experience, God superjects new possibilities into the world, enriching the process of becoming for all entities.
The Ethical Implications of Divine Superjecting
Understanding God as a divine superject has profound ethical implications. It suggests that our actions are not isolated but are woven into the very fabric of the divine life. Our choices contribute to the ongoing evolution of God and the world, emphasizing the importance of living with intention and compassion. By aligning our actions with the divine lure, we participate in the co-creative process of bringing forth a more just, loving, and beautiful world.
Divine Superjecting and Human Responsibility
While God’s superjecting offers new possibilities, it is up to individuals and communities to actualize these possibilities in their lives. This places a significant responsibility on us to be mindful of how our actions contribute to the world’s becoming. Divine superjecting provides the possibilities, but human action determines their realization. In this way, divine superjecting serves as a call to live in a way that reflects the love, creativity, and justice that God continually offers to the world.
Conclusion: Living in Harmony with Divine Superjecting
In the process context, to live in harmony with divine superjecting is to recognize our interconnectedness with God and the world. It calls us to be active participants in the ongoing creation of the universe, mindful of how our actions contribute to the divine life and the future of all beings. By responding to the divine lure and striving to superject love, justice, and beauty into the world, we fulfill our role in the process of becoming, co-creating with God a reality that reflects the richness of experience and the depth of divine love.
Superjecting as a Way of Life
To turn Whitehead’s concept of the superject into an actionable idea—“to superject”—we can make it a practical tool for wise, compassionate, and creative living. Here are some practical applications:
Intentional Living: Superjecting with Purpose
Application: Before making a decision or taking action, pause to consider how it will impact others and the world around you. Ask yourself, “What kind of superject do I want to create?”
Example: If you're about to make a difficult decision at work, think about the long-term effects it will have on your colleagues, the work environment, and your own professional growth. By approaching the decision with this awareness, you consciously superject a positive and constructive outcome into your workplace.
Building Relationships: Superjecting through Connection
Application: Recognize that every interaction you have with others leaves a lasting impression. Superject yourself by fostering positive and meaningful connections.
Example: When you meet someone new, engage with them in a way that is genuine and respectful. By doing so, you superject a sense of trust and goodwill, which can shape the nature of your future interactions and their perception of you.
Creativity and Contribution: Superjecting through Creation
Application: When you create something—whether it’s art, a project, or a community initiative—do so with the awareness that it will continue to influence others long after it’s completed.
Example: If you write a book, paint a picture, or organize a community event, approach it with the intention that it will leave a positive and lasting impact. By focusing on the enduring value of your creation, you superject a part of yourself into the world that others can benefit from.
Mindful Reflection: Superjecting through Awareness
Application: Reflect on past actions and experiences to understand how they have become superjects in the world. Use this reflection to guide future actions.
Example: After a challenging conversation with a friend, take time to reflect on how your words and actions might have affected them. Consider how you can learn from this experience to superject better outcomes in future conversations.
Legacy and Responsibility: Superjecting with Care
Application: Understand that your actions contribute to the world’s ongoing story. Superject yourself with the awareness that you are shaping the future for others.
Example: If you’re involved in a long-term project or a leadership role, think about the legacy you’re creating. How will your actions today influence the people and projects you leave behind? By being conscious of this, you can superject a legacy of integrity, innovation, and compassion.
Community Building: Superjecting through Collective Action
Application: Collaborate with others to create superjects that benefit the community. Recognize that collective actions have a powerful and lasting impact.
Example: When working on a community service project, involve others and work together to create something that will serve the community for years to come. Whether it’s building a community garden or organizing a neighborhood clean-up, these actions superject a sense of shared responsibility and collective well-being.
Personal Growth: Superjecting through Self-Improvement
Application: Use every opportunity for personal growth as a way to superject a better version of yourself into the world. Understand that self-improvement has a ripple effect on those around you.
Example: When you learn a new skill or overcome a personal challenge, consider how this growth can positively influence others. For instance, improving your communication skills might help you better connect with and support those around you, superjecting enhanced relationships and understanding into your community.
Superjecting as a Way of Life
By turning the concept of the superject into an actionable verb—"to superject"—we can live with greater intention and mindfulness. Every action we take, every word we speak, and every creation we bring into the world has the potential to become a lasting part of reality, influencing others in ways we may not fully comprehend. In embracing this perspective, we recognize our power to shape the world and our responsibility to do so with care, compassion, and purpose. Superjecting ourselves, then, becomes not just something we do but a way of living that acknowledges the interconnectedness of all life and our role in the ongoing creation of the universe.