Just got finished reading Blink by Malcolm Gladwell, author of The Tipping Point. This guy is a great author, and the concepts he unveils are absolute mental crowbars. They give insight into so many different areas.
Blink deals with how we are able to sometimes make very accurate assessments with minimal information, often without even knowing how we do it. For example, think of the art antiquities dealer who can instantly spot a fake statue, but can't explain how she knows it's a fake. We do this in everyday life as well. Sometimes you see a friend or relative and know somethings bothering them immediately, even though they seem to be acting quite normal to an outside observer.
Gladwell discusses how to cultivate this ability and also it's limitations. Particularly interesting is the research on how too much information is actually counter-productive, and the application of this process by Paul Ekman to mind-reading (at least it seems like mind-reading). He really is talking about detecting when others are lying. Ekman uses his techniques to train the Secret Service, FBI, and others.
Read it!
Thursday, February 24, 2005
Monday, February 07, 2005
Those Who Criticize Others
It seems to me that those who most readily criticize others--whether it be with malicious comments or jokes at their expense--are attempting to bolster their own lack of self-worth and feelings of inferiority. The truly confident person has no need to look for others' shortcomings and even less to comment on them. I think it's also true that we tend to criticize most in others those flaws which we have to the greatest degree.
No great insight there I guess. It's been said before. But it struck me forcefully because of recent events. God forgive me for criticizing others.
No great insight there I guess. It's been said before. But it struck me forcefully because of recent events. God forgive me for criticizing others.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you.
--Matthew 7:1-2
Sunday, February 06, 2005
Controlling My Thoughts
Because of recent events, I have had trouble controlling my thoughts. I get angry about some past offense, and my mind gets into a pattern of imagined diatribes or vengeful actions against the object of my anger. I fill with rage and sorrow and may go for hours repeating the same thoughts and getting more and more upset. I feel the blood run to my face and neck, and my stomach sours. I try various ways of distracting myself. Sometimes these work, but often they don't. The negative thoughts keep blazing up anew.
This struggle has caused me to realize just how important thought-control is to achieving our goals; whether the goal is getting a good nights sleep, doing well on an upcoming exam, or treating others the way we should. Imagine what it would be like if you perfectly controlled every thought. You would never feel lonely or angry or defeated unless you wanted to.
This ability to control ones thoughts seems to be what is lacking in Stoic philosophy. Stoicism points out that our minds can control our emotions, and therefore happiness or calm is always within our power. But Stoicism only tells us we have the power, yet doesn't get us closer to using that power. It's all well and good to know that your child's sudden death need not upset you--that instead you can recall the happy times and count yourself lucky for having known him, but being able to pull this off in the midst of the tragedy is quite another thing. Still, memorizing Stoic sayings, such as those that pepper this blog, has helped tremendously. Such sayings make guest appearances in my thoughts throughout the day (and night, often enough).
My Christian faith points to several solutions as well, and actually gives aid, rather than just encouragement. "Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be made complete." "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not fear, I will help you." The reading of verses such as these, combined with prayer and singing, has often pulled me from the thoughts that I wrestle with. But not always. I also feel that many of the other solutions I'm mentioning here have been given to me by a loving and compassionate creator. Especially this next.
Friends can certainly help. At least three different people have provided comfort and help in three different ways. One, having gone through similar things, is able to encourage me by showing that there is life on the other side of the crisis. And not only life, but a better life. Another, has given me the very manly advice, "get over it." "Stop being a wimp and a fool." That seems harsh, but it was actually very needed and helpful. The third friend is a master at distracting me. He engages me in conversation about other things, refuses to feed my obsessive comments, and gets me playing chess or watching movies.
Still other help comes from psychology. Thought-stopping--noticing the start of the unwanted thoughts, mentally screaming STOP!, relaxing myself with a few deep breaths, and then rewarding myself with pleasant thoughts--is very effective. It would probably be even more effective if I rehearsed the behavior when I don't need it, rather than in the midst of the crisis. Another helpful method is in talking to myself as a friend. I can lend myself encouragement and praise myself for the things I've done well that day.
Exercise has also given me relief. It's hard to think when you are struggling to catch your breath or lifting a heavy weight. This breaks the destructive thought patterns. Exercise also floods the body with endorphins, lending natural good feelings that combat the negative thoughts.
This struggle has caused me to realize just how important thought-control is to achieving our goals; whether the goal is getting a good nights sleep, doing well on an upcoming exam, or treating others the way we should. Imagine what it would be like if you perfectly controlled every thought. You would never feel lonely or angry or defeated unless you wanted to.
This ability to control ones thoughts seems to be what is lacking in Stoic philosophy. Stoicism points out that our minds can control our emotions, and therefore happiness or calm is always within our power. But Stoicism only tells us we have the power, yet doesn't get us closer to using that power. It's all well and good to know that your child's sudden death need not upset you--that instead you can recall the happy times and count yourself lucky for having known him, but being able to pull this off in the midst of the tragedy is quite another thing. Still, memorizing Stoic sayings, such as those that pepper this blog, has helped tremendously. Such sayings make guest appearances in my thoughts throughout the day (and night, often enough).
My Christian faith points to several solutions as well, and actually gives aid, rather than just encouragement. "Ask and you shall receive, that your joy may be made complete." "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." "I am the Lord your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says, do not fear, I will help you." The reading of verses such as these, combined with prayer and singing, has often pulled me from the thoughts that I wrestle with. But not always. I also feel that many of the other solutions I'm mentioning here have been given to me by a loving and compassionate creator. Especially this next.
Friends can certainly help. At least three different people have provided comfort and help in three different ways. One, having gone through similar things, is able to encourage me by showing that there is life on the other side of the crisis. And not only life, but a better life. Another, has given me the very manly advice, "get over it." "Stop being a wimp and a fool." That seems harsh, but it was actually very needed and helpful. The third friend is a master at distracting me. He engages me in conversation about other things, refuses to feed my obsessive comments, and gets me playing chess or watching movies.
Still other help comes from psychology. Thought-stopping--noticing the start of the unwanted thoughts, mentally screaming STOP!, relaxing myself with a few deep breaths, and then rewarding myself with pleasant thoughts--is very effective. It would probably be even more effective if I rehearsed the behavior when I don't need it, rather than in the midst of the crisis. Another helpful method is in talking to myself as a friend. I can lend myself encouragement and praise myself for the things I've done well that day.
Exercise has also given me relief. It's hard to think when you are struggling to catch your breath or lifting a heavy weight. This breaks the destructive thought patterns. Exercise also floods the body with endorphins, lending natural good feelings that combat the negative thoughts.
The Limits of Naturalism
Naturalism begins with two premises. First, Nature is all that there is, and second, that life exists. From this, the conclusion is drawn that life results solely from natural processes. The flaw is in the first premise. How can one either prove or disprove that Nature is all that there is?
One can't. First, one can't disprove that Nature is all that exists because confounding evidence is not admitted. If an ardent naturalist sees a supernatural occurence, he will not admit that it is supernatural because (Premise 1) there is nothing beyond Nature. He will say that the event, while not explainable, is never the less, natural. The first premise, therefore, cannot be disproven.
Secondly, one cannot prove that Nature is all that exists. To prove it would require perfect and complete knowledge of all things, especially those things that are outside of the Natural world (see premise 1).
When a scientist confronts a theory that cannot be proven or disproven, he rightly terms it an article of faith, and therefore, in the realm of religion rather than science. So the scientific naturalist has a real problem. His initial premise is an article of faith. Therefore, he must join the ranks of the believers (whatever their creed), and divorce himself from all claims of strict scientific thought at the most basic level of his philosophy.
One can't. First, one can't disprove that Nature is all that exists because confounding evidence is not admitted. If an ardent naturalist sees a supernatural occurence, he will not admit that it is supernatural because (Premise 1) there is nothing beyond Nature. He will say that the event, while not explainable, is never the less, natural. The first premise, therefore, cannot be disproven.
Secondly, one cannot prove that Nature is all that exists. To prove it would require perfect and complete knowledge of all things, especially those things that are outside of the Natural world (see premise 1).
When a scientist confronts a theory that cannot be proven or disproven, he rightly terms it an article of faith, and therefore, in the realm of religion rather than science. So the scientific naturalist has a real problem. His initial premise is an article of faith. Therefore, he must join the ranks of the believers (whatever their creed), and divorce himself from all claims of strict scientific thought at the most basic level of his philosophy.
Thursday, February 03, 2005
Wisdom is wise because it works
Wisdom is wise because it works. I'm not just indulging in consonance--it's true. Those who live wisely may not be wealthier or better off than others, but they will always be wealthier or better off than they would have been had they behaved foolishly. My own foolishness has certainly given me cause to regret it.
It rains on the just and the unjust, but the wise man will have brought his umbrella (and maybe rubber boots as well). If you act with wisdom, then even if things go poorly for you--because of circumstances outside your control--you will at least be able to take solace in the thought that you behaved your best. If you act foolishly and things go poorly, you will rue your own foolishness (assuming you're wise enough even for that) and won't know whether or not your pain could have been avoided by wise actions.
It rains on the just and the unjust, but the wise man will have brought his umbrella (and maybe rubber boots as well). If you act with wisdom, then even if things go poorly for you--because of circumstances outside your control--you will at least be able to take solace in the thought that you behaved your best. If you act foolishly and things go poorly, you will rue your own foolishness (assuming you're wise enough even for that) and won't know whether or not your pain could have been avoided by wise actions.
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