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Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

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Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#251

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It might apply to some traditions. However, for others, this is more accurate: "Tradition is a set of solutions for problems that don't exist anymore". An example of the latter that immediately springs to mind is circumcision.

>> Tradition is a set of solutions for problems that don't exist anymore That'd be reductionist rationalists' position.

Defining a name for something doesn’t make it into a point.

It’s like calling someone conservative for saying that migration is taking away jobs. So what? What is the point you are making here?

Is the point to reframe the idea in such a way that it would be easier to reduce their opinion to the outer group associated with the name?

Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#252

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hygiene

That's the modern justification. Surgery "in the middle of a desert in the insanitary conditions and no water" for "hygiene" is a very counter-intuitive practice, don't you think?

What is even more counter-intuitive is to say that ancient wisdom knows more about human health than today’s medicine.

Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#253

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Rather than an individual thought, consider the "line of reasoning" or "train of thought" and then consider again where it leads. From two comments, it is hard to see whether your usage of "you" is rhetorical or whether you mean me in particular. The easy case is the latter and for that I'll say that, I would be rather surprised if you had an accurate idea of what kind of a life I led and how much suffering is in my…

There is a very clear difference i think in suffering when you make someone aware of others suffering versus those people living through suffering. The idea isn't that one must suffer in order to live. The idea is that once aware of said suffering, are you not compelled to help? I elect leaders who support ending human suffering through aid. What I dont do is pretend it is an issue that I need not take any part in re…

I'm afraid I have to disagree. There are innumerable issues which cause suffering and everyone chooses which ones they will concern themselves with (if at all) and to what degree. Even the leaders you elect probably fall on the wrong side of the line as per others who disagree with his/her policies. This is just life. Not everyone will be bothered by the same things as you and to the same degree.

As for me, I can go to bed in peace without worrying about world peace and world hunger. I never claimed otherwise. If one were to accuse me of hypocrisy in this matter, I'd expect some evidence before I consider the possibility that there may be a point to it.

Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#254

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There is a very clear difference i think in suffering when you make someone aware of others suffering versus those people living through suffering. The idea isn't that one must suffer in order to live. The idea is that once aware of said suffering, are you not compelled to help? I elect leaders who support ending human suffering through aid. What I dont do is pretend it is an issue that I need not take any part in re…

I'm afraid I have to disagree. There are innumerable issues which cause suffering and everyone chooses which ones they will concern themselves with (if at all) and to what degree. Even the leaders you elect probably fall on the wrong side of the line as per others who disagree with his/her policies. This is just life. Not everyone will be bothered by the same things as you and to the same degree. As for me, I can go…

So how do you decide which issues bother you and which don't? How do you decide personally which suffering you can tolerate and which suffering you cannot? What compels to you help others and what doesn't?

I guess in the end, if you can go to bed in peace, does that mean nothing bothers you? Is there nothing in the world which keeps you up or night or makes you wish you could change for the better? Or are you perfectly happy with the way things are?

Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#255

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm afraid I have to disagree. There are innumerable issues which cause suffering and everyone chooses which ones they will concern themselves with (if at all) and to what degree. Even the leaders you elect probably fall on the wrong side of the line as per others who disagree with his/her policies. This is just life. Not everyone will be bothered by the same things as you and to the same degree. As for me, I can go…

So how do you decide which issues bother you and which don't? How do you decide personally which suffering you can tolerate and which suffering you cannot? What compels to you help others and what doesn't? I guess in the end, if you can go to bed in peace, does that mean nothing bothers you? Is there nothing in the world which keeps you up or night or makes you wish you could change for the better? Or are you perfect…

I'm afraid we are talking past each other. I can not answer endless questions on this medium as it doesn't seem to take us forward. I'll leave you with a question though: Why does it bother you so, that others aren't bothered by the same things (or similar) and to the same degree (or similar) and that they do not react in the same (or similar) way? Why is what you see "the one right way"?

I took the liberty to make a few assumptions in my questions but you may also note that it is likewise with your line of questioning.

Cheers,

Re: Thinking too much can be bad for you (2012)

#256

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So how do you decide which issues bother you and which don't? How do you decide personally which suffering you can tolerate and which suffering you cannot? What compels to you help others and what doesn't? I guess in the end, if you can go to bed in peace, does that mean nothing bothers you? Is there nothing in the world which keeps you up or night or makes you wish you could change for the better? Or are you perfect…

I'm afraid we are talking past each other. I can not answer endless questions on this medium as it doesn't seem to take us forward. I'll leave you with a question though: Why does it bother you so, that others aren't bothered by the same things (or similar) and to the same degree (or similar) and that they do not react in the same (or similar) way? Why is what you see "the one right way"? I took the liberty to make a…

> Why does it bother you so, that others aren't bothered by the same things (or similar) and to the same degree (or similar) and that they do not react in the same (or similar) way?

It bothers me because they is a single truth in the world. There is only one reality, not your view of it. Nor my view of it. In fact, the only reason we can talk and communicate effectively is because we fundamentally agree that there is an underlying truth of any situation, and only our lack of knowledge separates us from understanding each others perspective. It really does make me wonder how I can sit here and not be comfortable knowing that others lack a basic human right like Healthcare, while some say it is not a human right and you either work for it, or get lucky and happen to be born into. It's a matter of injustice from my perspective, and I can't understand why it's not for yours.

> Why is what you see "the one right way"?

Because as far as I can tell I'm earnestly seeking the truest sense of reality and what we want reality to be like. I ask questions and seek answers continually rather than just say, "whelp, that's all I need to know. My thirst for knowledge is satiated."

And thats not a knock to say you can't find what makes you happy in life and be satisfied with that. But it also doesn't mean you can't be shown a better way that still allows you to have what you want while others are taken care of even better.

> I can not answer endless questions on this medium as it doesn't seem to take us forward.

I beg to differ. I learn much from every single question I ask and I better understand what makes humans tick. It's invaluable in a way you don't have to even understand how.

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