CopyRight @ 1996
1. Irrational & Rational
2. Personal Power
3. Egocentricity and Ethnocentricity
4. thought checking and dualities
5. Intelligence and communication ....
This is a collection of descriptions of different ways that
individual people think and factors that effect understanding in
the context of survival. In ways, these are extentions of
instinctive behaviors
1a. Rational
How do we think? We think rationally and irrationally. We
use logic and we use supersition. Humans are inherently quite
capable at the mathmathics that is logic. Decision making gives
us practice.
The first example of the methods or patterns humans use when
thinking should be about a rational belief set. Simple, direct,
logical and based on a rational model of reality. Not to be.
Humans usually think in terms of non-causal effects or
superstition. Sometimes, Even the most skeptical and educated
person, when something goes wrong, cannot help but to
irrationally wonder if there is some non-physical link between
their previous actions and their present situation. We may reject
it for a more rationally based belief set, but that belief set
does pass through our mind. All non-rational, or non-causal,
belief systems are based on the effect of unseen forces,
especially the will of individuals and various unseen spirits. If
bad fortune befell an individual or group, the reason was assumed
to be the bad will of an individual or spirit. If a dog or a wife
died with no obvious explanation, it was assumed that the reason
was the result of the will of an individual or spirit and their
"power". Wishful thinking seems so real. Also there were very few
rational explanations for many natural occurrences from the
seasons to earthquakes to birth or death. Simple, symbolic
non-causal descriptions are easy to understand and are usually
quite functional. Does it matter if you know why the ground is
shaking. An earthquake is the same whether Poseidon sent it or
the tectonic plates shrugged. An advanced form of non-causal
interaction is called Karma. For anything you do, their is a
later and non-physically related, but still related, consequence.
All belief systems are balanced. It is a feature of the logical
basis of all belief systems. The reason that the concept of Karma
is called a more advanced system, is because it describes all an
extremely complex balance to the system, that extends over
lifetimes.
1b. Rational
The corresponding belief set to irrational, is rational. That
is information that is based on causal relationships. It is part
of a belief system and we judge rationality in a number of ways
that are parts of philosophy. The commonest way that we judge
rationality is whether something seems logical. Logic is based on
mathematics and so is independent of genetics or environment. We
all have the genetic potential to use logic and it is a highly
educatable skill. The use of logic is definatly a learned habit.
We can judge if an idea seems logical or that is, causal and
logically related. The other way that we judge rationality is on
the basis of the of knowledge or predictable repeatability, where
the logic and the connection may or may not be understood, but
the result is. The discipline of this is called science. It is a
systematically compiled collection of beliefs and knowledge of
physical causality as judged by repeatability, predictability and
observation. Anyone can act rationally to the degree of their
potential and education, but it is not presently the most natural
state. Humans do not always base their behaviors and beliefs on
logic and rationality. Yet it is part of the basis of what is
called human.
It is always most effective to look at anything from
multiple points of view. It enhances both understanding and
memory.
2. Personal Power
A pecular, but characteristic type of human thought may as
well be called personal power. It is largely a form of wishful
thinking and an extension of irrational thought. It is an
instinctive type of thought and as such is most easily seen in
children, though it is certainly not limited to them.
Aboriginal groups, when they first acquire firearms, tend to
think that aiming a rifle, is done by willing the bullet to go
where the shooter wants it to go.
In popular culture it is the hero who is rightous and so
will conquor their enemy, if their anger grows enough that their
personal power cannot be overcome by any foe.
A popular archetype in martial dramas is the hero who is
peaceful and chooses not respond to the insults and attacks of
the antagonist. Then the antagonist attacks their family, school
or something else that cannot be ignored. Then the hero is
filled with a rightous wrath (personal power) that cannot be
ignored or defeated.
This way of thinking extends far beyond martial dramas
though. It is part of how people think in many cases. "I am right
and that rightousness will win the day". This can show up in
many places and a variety of forms. A child may get carried away
with their imagination and decide that they can fly.
3. Egocentricity and Ethnocentricity
Humans will go to amazing lengths to convince themselves
that they are special. It is easy to see why this could be of
benifit to survival. In competition, it is much easier compete
effectively if you believe that you are superior to your
opponent.
4. thought checking and dualities
5. Intelligence and communication ....
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