One of the things I’m struggling with is the idea that sometimes I only know what I don’t believe.
For example, I began to reject the idea of dualism or any notion of mind/body separation some time ago. However, there are a range of ideas that could ‘fit’ as the logical alternatives such as monism but I don’t yet know whether I ‘believe that’ reality is monistic. I only know that I don’t believe in dualism.
Thanks for the comment. I think whats going on here is two things:
First, it is often easier to say with certainty or clarity what we dont believe than wha we do
Second, there seems to be a lack of alternative options available to you. The binary of monism vs dualism doesnt capture all that is possible to think. There are many ways to be a non-dualist and there are many varieties of monism. These labels are just general descriptions of entire families of theories.
My advice would be to research different ways of being a non-dualist and begin to appreciate the nuances between each.
Looking forward to any surprises I come across. I’m old enough to think I’ve settled on stuff but you never know when you take a lid off! Thank you for your material Paul.
I see. That's a big one. So would you say that you believe consciousness will eventually be reduced to or explained fully in terms of physical causes and processes?
Yes. It’s why I started my stack. The book is taking longer than I thought though 😄. My favourite refutation of the objections to physicalism is the one of Mary’s room, and the (not so) hard problem is slippery because of the way people move the goal posts without admitting to it. 😄
I am shocked by how comprehensive this list of beliefs became for me. I expected to get into the basics of a lot of areas but the implications from the beliefs in this brainstorm are wide-ranging. A great exercise to start this thing off.
Post your beliefs to X? Got a bit stuck on that phase but nevertheless am exploring if what I do - now, already - is a micro philosophy. Have not implemented any steps just yet as I am allocating my time according to my personal demands of my station in life. Thank you, Paul. /s/
I prepared my twenty beliefs and am in the process of categorizing them (that is a challenge). I was merely not understanding the purpose of posting on X. /s/
Great to hear you prepared 20 beliefs. I would love to see what you came up with if you are comfortable sharing (feel free to dm me). The purpose of posting X is twofold: 1) publishing beliefs in public naturally leads us to think more carefully about what we say 2) it will promote the micro-philosophy concept to help make other people aware so they can benefit
Paul - I have to congratulate you on being able to help yourself, first and foremost, and others think through what their/your values, beliefs, and philosophical tenets of livng - as I might call it - are and have a few different processes related to how to go about this over time in your life.
You are hitting upon similar tenets in regard to my mental equations of living that you and I mentioned along the way. I like what you are laying out herein.
I'm excited to hear/learn more about what you have learned and conitinue to explore/learn.
Thanks , Paul for this insightful lesson on atomic beliefs.I look forward to learning more about myself in the process.
Thank you for taking the time to read. Talk soon.
I’m really enjoying your work.
One of the things I’m struggling with is the idea that sometimes I only know what I don’t believe.
For example, I began to reject the idea of dualism or any notion of mind/body separation some time ago. However, there are a range of ideas that could ‘fit’ as the logical alternatives such as monism but I don’t yet know whether I ‘believe that’ reality is monistic. I only know that I don’t believe in dualism.
Thanks for the comment. I think whats going on here is two things:
First, it is often easier to say with certainty or clarity what we dont believe than wha we do
Second, there seems to be a lack of alternative options available to you. The binary of monism vs dualism doesnt capture all that is possible to think. There are many ways to be a non-dualist and there are many varieties of monism. These labels are just general descriptions of entire families of theories.
My advice would be to research different ways of being a non-dualist and begin to appreciate the nuances between each.
This is the real work.
Because if your beliefs remain unexamined, your systems will always be reactive.
You’ll build your business, your relationships, even your sense of self, on fragments you never chose.
Architecture begins with belief.
And belief begins with the courage to slow down and look.
The blank page isn’t the enemy.
It’s the altar.
- Thane
I found that my systems were reactive after many years. Now I am actively rebuilding the architecture of my life.
Looking forward to any surprises I come across. I’m old enough to think I’ve settled on stuff but you never know when you take a lid off! Thank you for your material Paul.
You're welcome! What are some things you take yourself to have settled on?
Physical materialism - in relation to consciousness.
I see. That's a big one. So would you say that you believe consciousness will eventually be reduced to or explained fully in terms of physical causes and processes?
Yes. It’s why I started my stack. The book is taking longer than I thought though 😄. My favourite refutation of the objections to physicalism is the one of Mary’s room, and the (not so) hard problem is slippery because of the way people move the goal posts without admitting to it. 😄
I am shocked by how comprehensive this list of beliefs became for me. I expected to get into the basics of a lot of areas but the implications from the beliefs in this brainstorm are wide-ranging. A great exercise to start this thing off.
That's awesome Ethan! I would love to see some of what you discovered!
Post your beliefs to X? Got a bit stuck on that phase but nevertheless am exploring if what I do - now, already - is a micro philosophy. Have not implemented any steps just yet as I am allocating my time according to my personal demands of my station in life. Thank you, Paul. /s/
Stefan, I am curious what caused you to get stuck. Let me know if something isn't working or the instructions aren't clear. I am here to help.
I prepared my twenty beliefs and am in the process of categorizing them (that is a challenge). I was merely not understanding the purpose of posting on X. /s/
Stefan,
Great to hear you prepared 20 beliefs. I would love to see what you came up with if you are comfortable sharing (feel free to dm me). The purpose of posting X is twofold: 1) publishing beliefs in public naturally leads us to think more carefully about what we say 2) it will promote the micro-philosophy concept to help make other people aware so they can benefit
Paul - I have to congratulate you on being able to help yourself, first and foremost, and others think through what their/your values, beliefs, and philosophical tenets of livng - as I might call it - are and have a few different processes related to how to go about this over time in your life.
You are hitting upon similar tenets in regard to my mental equations of living that you and I mentioned along the way. I like what you are laying out herein.
I'm excited to hear/learn more about what you have learned and conitinue to explore/learn.
Bronce,
We have to talk about your idea of mental equations some time. Thanks for the comment.
Nic není z vaší hlavy jsou to jen kompiláty moudrostí z filozofie a psychologie stoicismu,budhismu,taoismu......
I did it and it was nice! I organized my beliefs with AI tho haha.
I couldnt tweet because the tweet was too long and I don't have premium!
I'll probably do the next one in a few days!