The Ignorant Exertion Theory:

The origin of knowledge appears to stem from an inability of the human species, as ignorant beings and from thousands of years ago, to survive any longer in ecosystems. So instead of perishing from for example animals stronger and faster, the species exerted that there is conscious meaning, and from there, it used its exerted knowledge to plan and invent, thereby thrive in ecosystems. However, by exerting meaning to its thoughts, the species gave meaning to what did not have it, thus overtime the species has gradually absorbed itself and the natural world into the emptiness of its thoughts and their material extensions. So by exerting conscious meaning and existing through it, the species had only, barring a successful return to ignorant nature, guaranteed in the long-term its extinction.

Definition of principle terms:

"Ignorant" refers to consciousness devoid of knowledge in the form of symbols or forms and which is defined by comparison.

"Challenge" refers to more reasonable refutation of the contention as stated above. "More reasonable refutation" entails using reason in the most objective manner possible, and includes the arguments stated in the entries submitted to Competition 3, and the arguments stated in the responses to them. Also, one idea or position is deemed more reasonable than another idea or position if it is more sound and consistent. (Overcoming the contention can entail more reasonably refuting its terms and the concepts behind them, if the meaning of the contention itself is significantly altered through the incorporation of new terms and concepts.)

The entries, and the names of the entrants, and responses to the entries will be posted on the website. Entries that overlap previous entries will not be posted. Also, any disputes regarding responses to entries will be posted. (To view entries see current entries.)

Entries:

The Entry Form below must be filled out and sent via e-mail to Inexpressible Publications. Photocopies of the entry form will be accepted. However, no e-mail attachments or faxes containing entries will be accepted.

Lengthy entries or any other lengthy submissions can be mailed to: Inexpressible Publications P.O. Box 42 Kimberley, B.C. V1A 2Y5 Attention: The "Challenge the Philosophy" competition, or e-mailed as non-attachments to Inexpressible Publications using the Entry Form below.

The competition is open to anyone.

There is no limit, barring repetition, on the number of entries or other submissions submitted by a single participant.

Entries and other submissions must be concise. However, there is no word limit on submissions.

Group Entries:

A group can entail any organization of people including clubs, classes, departments, and societies.

There is no group size limit. Also, there is no limit on the number of entries a group can submit.

The name of the group and all other relevant information must be filled out in the entry form.

The names of groups will be posted on the inexpressible site following their entries.

Evaluation of Entries:

The evaluation of the entries will be based solely on reason. Inexpressible Publications in consultation with the Committee will be the final authority on whether or not a participant's entry overcomes the Challenge proposition.

Entries will be evaluated in the order they are received. Depending on the number of entries received, it may take two weeks to respond to an entry.

The committee members are chosen for their objectivity, open-mindedness, and analytical skills based on what they have said and written in the past. The members are kept anonymous.

Replies and Disputes:

Replies to entries or disputes regarding decisions are to be mailed to IP c/o The Inexpressible Committee, or sent using this e-mail Replies & Disputes, or any of the e-mails for Inexpressible Publications on the inexpressible website. (Comments can be mailed to IP c/o The Inexpressible Committee, or sent using this e-mail Letters.)

Similar to entries, replies and disputes are evaluated in the order they are received. (Entries, replies, and disputes are given equal priority.)

Requests to reread entries or other submissions will be accepted as long as there is sufficient grounds for doing so.

Any unresolvable disputes will be referred to third party arbitration. If a dispute is still not resolvable, a two week public assessment will commence, in which all participants will be notified and asked to participate. At the end of the two weeks, the Inexpressible Committee will make a decision on the dispute. Appeals of the Inexpressible Committee's decisions will be accepted as long as new arguments are presented.

Quotes:

Quotes will be taken from the entries and other submissions, and posted in a quote section.

Miscellaneous:

Participants have copyright over the written material, whether entries and replies, or any other submissions, they supply to inexpressible.com. Though IP may freely reproduce in html, print, electronic, or in any other forms, the written material supplied by participants. However, if a participant requests in writing that his or her material not be reproduced, IP will respect his or her request.

Personal information of participants submitted through the competition is strictly confidential. It will not be used in anyway outside of the bounds of the competition, or released to anyone except in an extreme situation in which Inexpressible Publications is legally forced to release the information.

IP reserves the right to determine whether or not an entry or other submissions will be posted. Participants will be notified if their entries, or any other submissions, are posted on the inexpressible site. Also, if it takes longer than three weeks to respond to an entry, or other submission, the Inexpressible Committee will notify the participant, telling the participant the expected time the submission will be responded to.

The Inexpressible Committee reserves the right to edit entries or other submissions for spelling, grammar, and wordiness.

Entries and other submissions will be rejected if they do not show an attempt by the participants to conform to the basic requirements of the English written language like correct punctuation and capitalization. However, if a participant goes outside the norms of the English language to help express an idea related to the competition, his or her entry will be accepted.

Though the terms of the proposition are a set part of the competition, they can be refuted to overcome the proposition. (Refutation is subject to what is more reasonable.)

The conditions of the competition may be subject to change for the sole purpose of improving the administration of the competition, thereby to better determine if the challenge proposition can be overcome or not. The explanations of the proposition's terms may be subject to change, including further elaboration, solely to clarify the meanings of the terms. Further details on the publication of the winning entry will be presented to the winning author once he or she is determined.

As mentioned, the competition is open to anyone, including relations and relatives of the members of Inexpressible Publications and the Inexpressible Committee to ensure that the most perspectives are heard.