Personal total bliss through ignorance would likely be short-lived, since
those around you might not be able to prevent your accidental collision
with a lethal aspect of reality. I would prefer to raise my longevity by
remaining aware.
>Consider Prof Tim's response.<<Snip backquote>
This is his personal choice, unless the entire post is a jest (which is
quite likely!)
>> I have difficulty following how deluding oneself would constitute
self-improvement.<<
> This was explored recently in a thread with Dave mcf and others,
part of the God and level 3 thread.<
They were exploring the psychology of "psyching oneself up" to achieve
greater results than otherwise expectable. I didn't join in, since I do
not use this technique myself.
<Snip self-deception by button discussion>
> I tell you what all this brings to mind. A dialogue between man
>and God about free will which is near the beginning of "the mind's eye"
>fantasies and reflections on self and soul. (Dennett & Hofstadter.)<
More required reading! Will it never end? (VBG!)
<Snip backquote: thought experiment on preventing murder>
>>If you insist there is no alternative to someone dying, then PERHAPS
one
>>death is better than two;<<
> Perhaps? I am intrigued. Without changing the spirit of this
>thought experiment when would one death not be better than two?<
The first is a generally law-abiding person under attack by two confirmed
previous murderers; when he sees no alternative (in his mind) between
their demise and his own.
<Snip discussion, "There is no TRY">
> I think that we are programed with beliefs that exapt all our
>mental energies for their preservation. Some of them can be a real
>hinderance because they stop us from achieving certain goals. Take as an
>example a belief held thus:
> If I doubt X I will die.
> Unless one decides one can accept dying one cannot
>doubt X and therefore cannot unbelieve it.<
Given the transient nature of objective reality I would have difficulty
maintaining such a belief.
>> If I fail too often I give up.<
>Why?
>> Because rationally I evaluate the evidence and accept the
>>apparently true conclusion "Its no good trying again Tony, You will
>>never get Claudia in the sack" <<
Then you never will. Have you tried changing your cologne? (VBG!)
>This is such a long, in depth exchange James. I reckon nobody else will
be
>reading all of it so keep quiet about my friend's stupidity please. <
Publishing (identified) stupidity is a service to the race, but I suppose
your original post is sufficient. I will not find it necessary to mention
it again.