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This is kind of nit-picky, but I think it might be closer to the collective we can't ever really know The Truth (about any big meta issues), but just about ever

by peller 10y ago

This is kind of nit-picky, but I think it might be closer to the collective we can't ever really know The Truth (about any big meta issues), but just about everybody is convinced they know and have that truth right (and by extension, most other peoples have that truth wrong). Which is to say, the brain equates beliefs to truths, which is an extremely difficult-to-overcome fallacy. (And, I suspect, therein lies the solution, if there is one.) Paradoxically, of course, life also wouldn't really be all that practical to live out if our brains didn't make such an overly simplistic jump. So, yea, not really disagreeing with you on the cognitive capabilities part. But I'm also not convinced there's no such belief structure out there that isn't capable of solving this pickle. Implementing and spreading said system of beliefs - if it exists and without starting a bunch of wars in the process, of course - is the harder part.

AndrewKemendo 10y ago
Which is to say, the brain equates beliefs to truths, which is an extremely difficult-to-overcome fallacy. In fact this construct is the basis for the illusion of the self - so it's inextricably linked to the human experience. The idea of an unbroken consciousness relies on a forward projection of a "future self" that is consistent with past experience. Practically, this construct is incompatible with objective experience because of our limitations for recall and "objective" evaluation of experience. But I'm also not convinced there's no such belief structure out there that isn't capable of solving this pickle. I don't think it's a belief structure that is needed - it's deeper than we can manifest so we need something to augment our limited capability. [edit] On your first point: we can't ever really know The Truth (about any big meta issues) I think that's true from an epistemic perspective, but I think we can reduce the uncertainty of variability around truth with enough inputs about causal factors in whatever event/issue is being evaluated.
chillwaves 10y ago
Most of these issues seem to stem from identity and the ego. We wear many identities but at the root they all work in concert to strengthen the ego. People think they are their thoughts. The system of mindfulness, and Eckart Tolle, in particular talk about looking for the consciousness behind the thoughts, removing attachment from your ego and possessions (not to ignore the utility, just in the sense of identity through consumption) and living in the present moment, free of the depression from the past or anxiety of the future.

by peller 10y ago

AndrewKemendo 10y ago

Which is to say, the brain equates beliefs to truths, which is an extremely difficult-to-overcome fallacy. In fact this construct is the basis for the illusion of the self - so it's inextricably linked to the human experience. The idea of an unbroken consciousness relies on a forward projection of a "future self" that is consistent with past experience. Practically, this construct is incompatible with objective experience because of our limitations for recall and "objective" evaluation of experience. But I'm also not convinced there's no such belief structure out there that isn't capable of solving this pickle. I don't think it's a belief structure that is needed - it's deeper than we can manifest so we need something to augment our limited capability. [edit] On your first point: we can't ever really know The Truth (about any big meta issues) I think that's true from an epistemic perspective, but I think we can reduce the uncertainty of variability around truth with enough inputs about causal factors in whatever event/issue is being evaluated.

chillwaves 10y ago

Most of these issues seem to stem from identity and the ego. We wear many identities but at the root they all work in concert to strengthen the ego. People think they are their thoughts. The system of mindfulness, and Eckart Tolle, in particular talk about looking for the consciousness behind the thoughts, removing attachment from your ego and possessions (not to ignore the utility, just in the sense of identity through consumption) and living in the present moment, free of the depression from the past or anxiety of the future.