Rationality

[swestrup]

I like to think of myself as rational. Don't we all? But I know on some level that I have a merely human mind with all the cognitive biases and other frailties that that entails. Still, its very, very, VERY hard to see an unbiased picture of the world. In fact, I don't know that I ever have. But, lately two separate and independent instances have given me brief glimpses of the world without my usual filters and I was very much surprised in both cases.

I'm not going to go into details here as they could embarrass someone. The fact is, for one brief moment a few weeks ago, I got to look at myself the way I'd look at a stranger, and I saw someone that I judged far more favorably than I usually judge myself. Then, a few days ago, I saw a friend in a similar way, and I saw someone whom I'd judge far less favorably than I usually judge them.

This has given me a great deal to think about. Clearly my own emotions color my perceptions. I'm not sure how much I'd change that if I could. By the same token, I would like to think of myself of being capable of objective thought, but its obvious I'm not. A good friend once told me, years ago, that its hard to overstate how much we lie to ourselves on a daily basis, and that if I ever have the veils pulled from my eyes, I'd be shocked. He was right.

So now, I have some things to think about. That I have a friend that has flaws that I've been ignoring because I care for them, is hardly a revelation. The fact that I think far less of myself than I should, given the objective fact, is also not too much of a surprise, I have to admit. I've always judge myself harshly, perhaps much moreso than is justified. The thing that really bothers me though, is that the veils are back. I have only my memories of thinking poorly of my friend. I can't see them that way today. Moreover, I can't see myself as the person I briefly admired a few weeks ago, and that seems the far bigger loss.

Comments

[kyotto.livejournal.com]

*comforts* ... I have blinders, of course as all do, the trick is knowing what your biases are and re-adjusting your perception, when you realise you are doing it. There is also a part of course that you're not aware of, and that's the hard part. Everyone is flawed, as am I. It's sometimes hard to be kind of one's self, be kind to yourself, you are awesome! :)

*hugs*

C.

[helenkacan.livejournal.com]

I just wanted to suggest that you write yourself a personal post - where you can be as explicit as possible - and remind yourself of what you actually SAW when the veils were lifted from your eyes, perception and comprehension. I'd hate to think that you could lose the clarity you had just a short while ago.