4 ms·
Even the concept of "me" turns out to be fuzzy around the edges if you examine it too closely. Try not to examine it too closely without proper guidance, thoug
by thunk 17y ago
Even the concept of "me" turns out to be fuzzy around the edges if you examine it too closely.
Try not to examine it too closely without proper guidance, though: it's a little more than just fuzzy.
- anc2020 17y agoPlease could someone elaborate on how "me" is a fuzzy concept or provide a link?
- nollidge 17y ago"Trying to define yourself is like trying to bite your own teeth." - Alan W. Watts How do I know who I am? When I try a new food, what are my criteria for deciding whether or not I like it? If I wish to be a better person, why am I not already that better person?
- sp332 17y agoReally simplistic answer, but should get you started: there is no single definable thing that is identifiably "you". If you lost a foot, would you still be you? At what point does the food you eat become a part of you? If you lost your memories, or changed your mind about something you believe deeply, or if you go to sleep, do you stop being you?
- sophacles 17y agoAnother angle: How many of the tags you use to idendify yourself are actually group membership tags... e.g. pythonista, founder, etc.? How many of the activities you do only make sense in the context of people (productive member of society stuff)? Even more, how many of the things you do are because of the consequences for or from others (feed your family, help your friends, do something recognized as really cool)? Where "me" stops and society begins is always a bit fuzzy.
- rms 17y ago:) Enjoy! http://lesswrong.com/lw/r9/quantum_mechanics_and_personal_identity/ http://lesswrong.com/lw/r9/quantum_mechanics_and_personal_id...
- gruseom 17y agoProper guidance? Does that ever rub me the wrong way.
- thunk 17y agoHeh, it did me too. I charged into the abyss all alone, eager to demolish my self. And ... succeeded. It very nearly turned out badly. When I say guidance, all I mean is someone who has been there and can pull you back if necessary. An extended "trip sitter", although this doesn't involve drugs.
- jrp 17y agoSeconded. It all adds up to normality. I wish someone had been there to remind me of that when I was going through some of this.
- thunk 17y agoBuddhism refers to it as the Two Truths: conventional and ultimate truth: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truths_doctrine http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Two_truths_doctrine It's a very nuanced and often misunderstood concept. Leaning too far to either side (hyper-reification of and attachment to the material world on one side, and Śūnyatā ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Śūnyatā http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Śūnyatā ) -- the emptiness or lack of "thingness" of all concepts -- on the other, lead each to their own problems. Of course, you can get so wrapped up in the observance of walking that line that it becomes a problem, too, which is sort of where Zen steps in with the simple and the absurd. It all adds up to normality, like you said. I like that.