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PATAPHYSICS IS THE END OF ALL ENDS
1 - Pataphysics is the science of that realm which extends beyond metaphysics; or also: pataphysics goes beyond metaphysics in the same measure in which the latter goes beyond physics, and this in all directions ad libitum (unlimited).
Pataphysics is speculative, it cannot work without generalisations. Pataphysics exists everywhere, it frees the essence of things and it goes, as far as every special case allows it, in the most different directions beyond metaphysical knowledge. Faustroll, the great pataphysical scientist, gives as the most elevated example the definition of God as »the shortest way from zero to infinity«.
2 - Pataphysics is the science of the peculiar, of those laws which determine the exceptions.
Jarry regards the laws of physics as accumulations of not very extraordinary exceptions. Pataphysics is based upon the exceptions which alone determine and further science. Pataphysics as science turns to the special case, it interprets the world as a mosaic of hazards and exceptions which combine according to the pataphysics's statements of size. The rule proves to be a worthless accumulation of accidental facts, »which, because they are limited to exceptions scarcely falling out of the frame do not even own the attraction of singularity«. Only pataphysics guarantees true consequence. Thus a definition is imaginably simple: Pataphysics is the science of the peculiar, and altogether.
3 - Pataphysics is the science of imaginary solutions.
Because pataphysics is able to extend into all directions, from zero to infinity, the real appears to be imaginary: the human being turns out to be composed of different monsters, of dissonating elements, less fictitious than imaginary: »Do not jump like that!«, is a sentence of Lautréamont that relates to a situation where a single hair was left in a whorehouse by God. Jarry would often quote this example. The fictitious power of the sentence: Jarry's »imaginary« solution is in this case the invasion of a giant phallus into a temple.
4 - In consideration of pataphysics everything is the same.
Every action, every non-action aims at pataphysics, and insofar everything is the same. But non-action alone is not yet pataphysics. This consideration is not insignificant. Even pataphysics requires actions.
5 - Pataphysics is imperturbable in its conduct.
Indeed. The very person who insists upon the meaning of pataphysics, who insists upon an explication proves how much this science rules him, even unconsciously. To represent pataphysics is a pataphysical act; to ignore it is perhaps still more pataphysical.
6 - Everything is pataphysical; nevertheless, only a few human beings exercise pataphysics consciously.
The 'conscious' pataphysicist will answer with Victor Boucher: »With dedication I like to think of things of which I presume that others do not think of.«
7 - There is nothing beyond pataphysics; it is the last step.
Pataphysics is the end of all ends. First and last step. Faustroll dies at that age at which he was born.
Harig/Helmlé/Shattuck, Principles of Pataphysics. Roger Shattuck, The Banquet Years.
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