Now that we have a foundation to build upon, we can start zeroing in on the nature of modern life. Today the external side of society is known as the economy, and the economy is ruled by what we call “the market.” The market is thus the apex of our modern “material world.” But what is the nature of “the market”? Where is it, how does it operate, and for what end? The extraordinary fact, given the immense power of the market today, is that we have virtually no answers to such questions. While humanity has expended tremendous energy over the centuries trying to describe the internal/spiritual side of life, and the infinite Being that sits upon its summit, the summit of our external/material world has received relatively scant attention. Yes, we may know what economics tells us, but as a social science, economics is itself trapped in the material world, where it is limited to quantitative explanations. The larger issue is how the market fits into a larger metaphysical context, the framework of reality that defines our lives, with its equally important internal/spiritual component.

To begin to address this shortcoming, look over two resources in the Reference section.

• "A Market Lexicon." These terms represent an attempt to define the foundations of market philosophy. One key conclusion to remember: when we talk about the market, we are not just talking about buying and selling, but an entire social paradigm.

• “The Economic Beast.” This piece explores the nature of “the market,” and puts it in a new light. The key idea is that each of us is part of the market, but also subject to it, in the form of the market price. So what is "it"? Clearly the market is not a being, but is very much rooted in doing.

Next: The Root Problem: Inversion