If a man is offered a fact which goes against his instincts, he will scrutinize it closely, and unless the evidence is overwhelming, he will refuse to believe it. If, on the other hand, he is offered something which affords a reason for acting in accordance to his instincts, he will accept it even on the slightest evidence. The origin of myths is explained in this way.
Bertrand Rusell
Thats the tendency of the human mind - to accept already familiar thoughts. Instincts act as seeds for the growth of thoughts. We have been taught all the while to think/question/believe according to a school of thought. We are not very open to new ideas which do not follow our school of thought. The mind interprets every single thought, codes it and then de-codes it, cross checks it and then lo! the message is translated in terms of known and unknown terms acting upon instincts. The original meaning of the thought is lost in a web of interpretations and instincts. Yes, that explains the origin of myth.
ReplyDeleteHmm, yes, like a dance upon clouds... People would take off from one cloud, swirl up and try to find their way back by stepping back onto the same clouds.
ReplyDeleteI have a question for you. How does a person know past her instincts?
I am sorry shruthi I dont understand your question very well.
ReplyDeleteHow does a person know pass her instincts
1. if she acts according to instincts or?
2. if she denies to test her instincts?
if
1. cycle of thoughts are guided by instinct at each step.
2. If she denies to test her instincts
a. she might be thinking in terms of some one else's instincts.
b. she might be 'looking at things as they are'. so she will be in a better position to judge.
I would say it depends on how open a person is to ideas.
ReplyDeleteHow would we explain complex theorms scientific experiments etc which are not necessarily insctinctive but are resutls of hard work.
carefully chosen words there, padmapriya. 'not necessarily insctinctive'. People should be more open to ideas thats what I am trying to say to. But the fact remains that only great ones move past their instincts and percieve the 'truth' as it is.
ReplyDeleteHey again, I meant more of b. :) How does one see/move past one's old ways? I guess being open is always an option, huh?
ReplyDeletethats a lengthier concept! will write a post one of these days.
ReplyDelete