- Eric Grovum
- Brighton, CO
- United States
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What can we do to confront our own cognitive biases?
Everyone has a world view. We each have our own point of view that has been molded by our experiences, relationships, religious backgrounds, etc.
Sometimes, when we are confronted with an opinion that is in opposition to our world view, we experience cognitive dissonance, the uncomfortable feeling that creates a wall in our mind around the beliefs that we feel define our very selves. Sometimes we are wrong and have a hard time allowing new information to be considered. Sometimes we are right, but we think so for illogical or unsupported reasons.
What techniques work for you when you deal with these cognitive barriers? Or do you believe you are infallible? Socrates said in rough translation, "I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing."
Is it reasonable to look at things from new perspectives, or should we draw a line in the sand on certain issues?
My goal is to come to a truer understanding of my world, but it is a challenge to overcome mental inertia.
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Don Wesley 50+
As I did then, I do now. And I have grown through the years to be happy and very sad and to face the pain of adversity. We learned to love sharing, what seems to have worked for us.
We grow, learning to trust our intuition. We develop a need to love.
As we fall from a higher plateau, we learn to return and climb higher. Above all, always be kind enough to help those who need help, even if you have to back down to help them up.
As young high school scholars we were to taken to study Shakespeare and The Book of Job.
And we did also study, very deeply, the sciences, which got us to where we are today. We didn't study "Particle Physics," but it didn't get us to where we are today. My nephew studies "Particle Physics"
Today, Psychologists still makes references to these wise books from the past. -
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/emotional-sobriety/201201/thine-own-self-be-true#
"To thine own self be true" is one of the underlying tenets of growth. But how do we honor this wise sentiment by Shakespeare? One way is to check in with the "me" that I'm trying to be true to. Checking in can involve slowing down, writing, meditating, and noticing what we are experiencing rather than running on autopilot. Checking in tends to involve tuning in to our body or to our "higher self," rather than tuning in to our "monkey mind" (the running commentary that we are telling ourselves.) It is a subtle distinction, but let's take this moment to see if we can tap into the difference. For the next 10 seconds, turn your attention to what your head is telling you ... What did you hear?”
Don Wesley [From The Silent Generation - the 30's]
Eric Grovum
Thanks again,
Eric
Don Wesley 50+
No wonder I have developed a need to love.
It seems to simple.
Don
Eric Grovum
I just read your profile. I am honored to get to speak with you, and I am truly grateful you have touched my life. I am going to check out your blog.
Eric
Don Wesley 50+
I hope you find what may be of use to you for the future.
I am still working hard and long for the betterment of humanity; most passionately, to overcome injustice.
From where I sit at this time, there is too much man-made harm and suffering.
Don