Transcendental order
The abstract symbolism of transcendentalism is the right framework for understanding Wilson's philosophical ideas. He says that the universe exists according to patterns which are embedded into reality, but in pastiche, so that people can see different aspects of the universal order in each aspect of their life. In science, the principles of physics are evidence of order, but also those principles tend to correspond to similar types of order in the arts. Together, the philosophy approaches Platonic formalism, attempting to communicate the connection between reality and order.
Science and unifying principles
Within the school of scientific inquiry, there are various sub-categories that Wilson says give a portrait for the way unifying philosophy might work. For example, if an idea can be seen evidently in biology, Wilson suspects that a similar idea shape in every other school of science, either in an evident, phenomenological way, or in some more complex way that is not as apparent to human consciousness. By suspecting similarities, he hopes to further scientific inquiry, but more importantly to the thesis is the fact that this is a suitable metaphor for the theory of Consilience in practice.
Ethical philosophy and universals
When applied to the philosophical categories of ethical philosophy, the meta-structures of order become ethical and moral axioms. This is obvious but subtle: It is obvious, because a person can consider ethical living, "Living responsibly for one's happiness according to the various demands of life." By understanding the shape of reality correctly, Wilson suspects that a person will navigate reality with a more acute sense for the order or life and reality. Clearly, this is predicated on a transcendentalism that verges on religious mysticism.
The schism
Even the archetypal schism between the arts and the sciences is resolved in Consilience, at least theoretically, because if the same order governs both, then it would follow that ethical philosophy and natural philosophy each have compatible and perhaps informative similarities. For example, by being precise about the psychology of design, an artist could scientifically improve their craft's effectiveness. The schism resolves the other way too, because by being more artistic about science and medicine, more thoughtful and creative solutions are found to confounding problems.
Consilience and imaginative intelligence
The theoretical aspect of this book gives rise to a fairly obvious ethical axiom. By remaining curious and by reconciling all the data of life to one's own personal experience of reality, transcendental insights are available, which might be called philosophical breakthroughs. This gradual awakening has the makings of true religious insight, but at its core is a simple ethical practice that Wilson describes thoroughly: Remain creative and curious about the application of imagination and intelligence.
