Paradox and lenses

As I mentioned in my previous post:   "...metaphysics is attempting to resolve matters that are impossible for reason to do in the nature of the case." ("A Handbook of Theological Terms" (Harvey), p. 24; definition of Antinomy; My emphasis.).

Paradoxes discussed in class:  Asceticism/Activism, Pessimism/Idealism, Human/Divine.  Impossible to resolve with reason.

As I reflected on these paradoxes, it occurred to me that each word describes either end of a continuum. Because of that, there are a multitude of ways to view the multi-faceted elements of truth contained within both.  One view might be from the perspective of "how the world (or a particular person or segment of society) views this experience" and another might be "how I personally view this experience."  For example, did Jesus think he was ascetic?  Or an activist?  Judging by the few writings from his era, we may judge him one way, the Romans judged him another, and we don't know how he saw himself.

A quick web search for "Jesus ascetic?" brought up numerous articles of opinion, and much purporting the "ascetic" perspective.  Then I looked up Buddha - who rejected extreme asceticism for the "middle way".  Who is to say (judge) that Jesus' way was not also a middle way? So someone authoring articles on the web labels Jesus as ascetic - does that make him so?

Which got me to wondering... is there a middle way for these paradoxes?  For any paradox? Since there is an element of truth, shouldn't the conjunction be "and" instead of "either/or"?   Elements of truth in both - spiritual truth and/or literal truth.  The "problem", it seems to me, is the the propensity to label things in neat categories - the "either/or" perspective.

So how does a person arrive at a particular perspective?  It seems to me that a judgement rendered on such things as these paradoxes seem to be highly influenced by "lenses" through which they are viewed.  In class discussion, we established that there is no way to be truly objective.

Many lenses are operational in my life:  age, gender, sexuality, upbringing, ethnicity, culture, education, experiences, illnesses, health status, old ideas, emotions, family and cultural attitudes, profession, personal preferences... etc.

What is "right" for me, may not be "right" for you.  Individual expressions of One.  Another paradox.