Practical Mindfulness

 

Alfred North Whitehead’s Process of Becoming

Alfred North Whitehead, a 20th-century philosopher and mathematician, developed a metaphysical framework known as process philosophy. At the core of his philosophy is the concept of becoming, which contrasts with traditional metaphysical views that emphasize static being or unchanging substances. Whitehead argued that reality is fundamentally dynamic, consisting of processes rather than fixed entities. This idea is encapsulated in his theory of process and reality, where the universe is seen as a web of interrelated processes in constant flux.

This essay explores Whitehead’s concept of becoming, focusing on his key notions of actual occasions, prehension, and concrescence, and how they form the basis of his process-oriented worldview.

1. The Nature of Reality: Process Over Substance

Whitehead rejected the classical notion of substance ontology, which holds that reality is composed of discrete, unchanging substances that possess properties. Instead, he proposed that reality is composed of processes of becoming, where change and development are fundamental.

For Whitehead, the basic units of reality are not things but events or processes. These events are called actual occasions—the smallest units of existence. Each actual occasion is a momentary process of becoming, arising from its interactions with other occasions and contributing to the ongoing flow of reality.

• Key idea: Reality is made up of events in constant process, rather than static objects.

2. Actual Occasions and the Process of Becoming

In Whitehead’s framework, an actual occasion is a fundamental event or process that constitutes reality. Unlike traditional particles or objects, actual occasions are dynamic and relational, meaning they arise from and contribute to the broader web of processes.

Each actual occasion undergoes a process of becoming, during which it integrates influences from past occasions and brings something new into existence. This process of becoming is finite—once an actual occasion reaches completion, it becomes part of the past and influences future occasions.

Whitehead describes this process as concrescence, the act of bringing together multiple influences into a coherent unity.

• Concrescence: The process by which an actual occasion integrates past experiences and creates a new, unified entity.
• Perishing: Once an actual occasion completes its process of becoming, it perishes and becomes a determinate part of the past.

Example: A thought or emotion can be seen as an actual occasion. It arises from past experiences, integrates various influences, and contributes to future states of mind.

3. Prehension: How Actual Occasions Relate

A central concept in Whitehead’s process philosophy is prehension, which refers to how actual occasions interact with and incorporate aspects of other occasions. Prehension can be thought of as a form of relational grasping, where an actual occasion integrates the influence of other past occasions into its process of becoming.

There are two types of prehension:

• Positive prehension: The integration of certain aspects of other occasions into the becoming process.
• Negative prehension: The exclusion of certain aspects, which are not relevant to the current occasion’s becoming.

Prehension highlights Whitehead’s belief in the interconnectedness of all reality—each actual occasion is influenced by and, in turn, influences others. This relational view contrasts sharply with the classical view of independent substances.

Example: In human experience, when perceiving a sunset, an individual prehends the colors, shapes, and emotions associated with the event, integrating them into a unique experience.

4. Creativity and Novelty in the Process of Becoming

Whitehead’s process philosophy emphasizes creativity as a fundamental aspect of reality. Each actual occasion is not merely a repetition of the past but involves the emergence of something new. This capacity for novelty is what drives the evolution of the universe and the development of life.

Creativity, in Whitehead’s view, is the principle of novelty that underlies the process of becoming. While actual occasions are influenced by past events, they also have the potential to introduce new patterns and possibilities into reality.

• Creativity as a metaphysical principle: Creativity is the ultimate ground of being in Whitehead’s system, enabling the ongoing process of becoming and the emergence of new forms.

Example: The evolution of life can be seen as a creative process, where new forms of existence emerge from the interactions of previous forms.

5. God and the Process of Becoming

In Whitehead’s process philosophy, God plays a crucial role in the process of becoming. However, Whitehead’s concept of God differs from traditional theistic views. He describes God as both temporal and eternal, participating in the ongoing process of reality while also providing a guiding influence toward novelty and harmony.

Whitehead’s God has two aspects:

1.    The Primordial Nature: The aspect of God that represents pure potentiality, offering a range of possibilities to actual occasions.

2.    The Consequent Nature: The aspect of God that incorporates and responds to the unfolding processes of reality, ensuring that nothing is lost but everything is woven into the ongoing creative process.

In this way, God is not a static being but an active participant in the process of becoming, constantly interacting with and guiding the development of the universe.

6. Implications of Whitehead’s Process Philosophy

Whitehead’s process of becoming has far-reaching implications for various fields, including metaphysics, science, and theology:

• In metaphysics: Whitehead offers a dynamic view of reality, where change, process, and relationships are fundamental.
• In science: His philosophy resonates with modern scientific views of a dynamic, interconnected universe, particularly in quantum physics and evolutionary biology.
• In theology: Whitehead’s process theology presents a vision of a God who evolves with the world, emphasizing creativity, relationality, and the potential for novelty.

Conclusion

Alfred North Whitehead’s concept of becoming offers a revolutionary view of reality as a dynamic, interconnected process. By rejecting the traditional notion of static substances and emphasizing the relational nature of existence, Whitehead presents a metaphysical framework where creativity, novelty, and change are central. His ideas continue to influence contemporary thought in philosophy, science, and theology, offering a profound way of understanding the ever-evolving nature of the universe.

In a world constantly in flux, Whitehead’s process philosophy invites us to see ourselves not as fixed entities but as participants in an ongoing, creative process of becoming—shaped by the past, engaged in the present, and open to the future.