This article touches on a subject I have been intrigued by for decades. Everyday, posts are presented with viewpoints deemed by the authors to be the absolute truth. Too, we often hear each of us is unique. What passes as common sense for one is malarkey to another.

The author tells us:

Reading the works of such neurologists as Oliver Sacks and V. Ramachandran - it becomes clear that the variation in the human experience is very affected by our brains interpret the world around us, and this varies widely.

Being the concrete beings we are, I believe many people miss this. In a "what you see is what you get" world - where is the room to realize that what your brain "sees" when looking at an object, person, or situation, may be completely different than what my brain "sees"? And what presuppositions will that assumption cause you to make? http://www.psychologytoday.com/colle...presupposition

Two of my favorite quotes:

Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have. ~Rene Descartes

If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things. ~Rene Descartes

We each have perceptions and our own truths. Learning the perceptions and truths of others is critical to meaningful communication.

[venusss]

That is the thing... we all view and interpret world through our previous experiences... and we have severe limits when it comes to the truth.

(or course as a post-modernist i am bound to believe there is not objective truth and everything is just a mere interpretation...).


so yeah, let's try to understand each other. We all may have something valid to offer. And no need to come at people with pitchforks and torches when they interpret the world differently.

[gma45]

Another great article. In my mind I see nothing but the truth Byzantine! Just kidding! I believe I learned that lesson at a young age. I had a childhood friend that had downs. One day he had a tee shirt on with the number 68, I ask him what the numbers were on his shirt and he looked down and said...89 and he was right by his perspective. I have never forgot that and always tried to look at things with an open mind. Thanks for the post.

[Sanada]

Hello Byzantine.

Interesting fact - It takes what would be 'absurd sense' to become 'common sense', about 100 years. I.E, e=mc2.

Understanding others has never really been a problem in life, I trust to much and take too much on face value.
All that did though was open me up to be the victim of critical debates.

There are no absolute truths, any who say there are, are still exploring.

I take the natural truth of common sense, I trip, I fall - Fact..lol.

When I am looking at my/the world all I see is all in my mind. Everything is just light photons and sound waves (and a whole lot more obviously).

I hear lots of people say they would love to change their past, I would not change anything at all. I look at my reflection, I look at my personality - and not to blow a trumpet; I Rock.

I guess my world is a puzzle so I expect change. My greatest skill is to try to predict the change, now that's a talent.

I have met people who actually think that just because they cannot see the dark side of the moon, it is not there...(again..big..lol's).

Cool stuff Byzantine (always food for thought).
ty.

I like Einstein's definition of common sense: Common sense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen."

And Descartes: "Common sense is the most fairly distributed thing in the world, for each one thinks he is so well-endowed with it that even those who are hardest to satisfy in all other matters are not in the habit of desiring more of it than they already have."

Jodie Foster: “Normal is not something to aspire to, it's something to get away from.”

“When will you understand that being normal isn't necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage.” ~Unknown

[Sanada]

Jodie Foster........(sanada screams in delight).
One of my hero's.

ty Byzantine.

[noneedtoknow]

Physiology, Philosophy, well, ya know....and there is still so much we don't know (can't quantify at this time) Loved the shirt story gma45-great example. In discussion such as this I always think of a song from the movie "Jesus Christ Supperstar" where Pilot sings, "What is truth, but a changing law, you wanted truth, is mine the same as yours?I wish I was really intellegent and was able to contribute to conversations like this. I ain't but I always like reading and the discussions that follow. Thanks!

[Sanada]

Originally Posted by noneedtoknow

Physiology, Philosophy, well, ya know....and there is still so much we don't know (can't quantify at this time) Loved the shirt story gma45-great example. In discussion such as this I always think of a song from the movie "Jesus Christ Supperstar" where Pilot sings, "What is truth, but a changing law, you wanted truth, is mine the same as yours?I wish I was really intellegent and was able to contribute to conversations like this. I ain't but I always like reading and the discussions that follow. Thanks!

hello noneedtoknow.

WoWzieeeeeeee. i seen jesus christ superstar many times (live on stage). I play the album from time to time too, to the dismay of any of any who dont like it. (I love also Joseph and the dreamcoat). I live in the UK, and i lived for the stage once.

Great example of P.Pilot's words in that expression of madness in the Roman times.

noNeedtoknow (in my opinion), IQ can be tested with a ruler..lol.......Intellect is - Immesurable. (just like my spelling) all over the place.

Thank you.

[Gus1234U]

another truely brilliant observation, Byz~! it has been on my mind, and in my conversations for days now,, so i find a particular attraction to the post. if we take that supposition one step farther, we find that almost all we see in the world is our own self-image. we imaging that others are saying what we would be saying with those words, looks, postures and motions; we rarely stop and remind ourselves that when others look angry, it is really my interpretation of how they are feeling, not the truth. for myself, i am striving to see a friendly universe, as that will mean that i am accepting and compassionate... so,, if one wants to know what's inside, look at what's outside~! best wishes, all,, Gus

[Sanada]

My world is made of mirrors.

Anything and everything is all that i see taste touch feel think and feel.

Mirrors all around me.

All humans are equal - meaning all humans are the same.
(darg narm it, i thought i was unique..lol)