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Slave to a younger self

 
 
SMS
06:39 / 10.10.01
The more I revise my philosophy and beliefs, the more I find that I'm simply figuring out ways to vocalize the thoughts I had as a 5,6,7,8,9-year old. I had abandoned many of these ideas at some point in favour of one or the other views of the people around me. Lately, though, it seems that every new philosophical discovery [<--- dissatisfied with word choice] I make is something I had thought of in elementary school. And these new ideas that are actually old ideas are the most difficult to shake.

How much of what we learn as a child wraps itself into our minds so tightly?

I've also noticed another thing, which is that following these childhood proniciples seems to make me happier. Could this be a trick they play as well? Could it be that these ideas have actually taken control of my emotions and punish me when I do not worship them?
 
 
Solaris
07:05 / 10.10.01
Yaaaawn...
 
 
Fist Fun
10:13 / 10.10.01
I remember being about 4 and in bed with my Mum. I asked her "If God created everything, who created God?".
She replied "You must never ask that question. It is a big secret and it is a bad question."
I felt shamed.
 
 
Blank Faced Avatar
11:56 / 10.10.01
I remember thinking as a 5 year old kid that I would think back one day when I was old, and realise that I had worked out most things by the age of 5.

ie. I had worked out the title of this thread back then - I knew I would be posting here! So yes - you probably did know that new stuff already.

But I must admit I didn't know back then that 'Solaris' would be so tired.
 
 
Saveloy
14:38 / 10.10.01
All-Loving SMatthewStolte, can you give us an example of what you're talking about. I think I'm with you, but not sure.

One thing that springs to mind - are there no situations that you've found yourself in, or ideas that you have had to deal with, that required the use of ideas and concepts that couldn't possibly have occurred to you as a nipper? Or are you talking about a basic 'hardcore' set of ideas and beliefs covering everything?
 
 
No star here laces
15:43 / 10.10.01
I dunno about this, personally. I find that most of my thoughts on 'philosophical' issues are fairly fluid and open to suggestion, or a good argument.

By contrast I find that many of the cackhanded ideas I developed in my early teens about aesthetics and the right way to behave are very hard to shake, even though I recognise them as being utterly false. And indeed, giving in to these old ideas does make me happy.

Hence the musical racism, for example.
 
 
Logos
15:59 / 10.10.01
quote:Originally posted by Buk:
I remember being about 4 and in bed with my Mum. I asked her "If God created everything, who created God?".
She replied "You must never ask that question. It is a big secret and it is a bad question."


FALSE. TRUE. FALSE.

It's a good question you should always ask, but it is a big secret.
 
 
netbanshee
16:38 / 10.10.01
Everyone's perceptions are based on revising or adding to old experiences no matter how strange or inconcievable(sp?) they might be..

But I can't help but feel that I've filtered out so many possibilities as an adult just to come to the realization that I "knew" it as a youngin.

That's probably why makingimpression on youth is so important...
 
 
Chuckling Duck
19:52 / 10.10.01
quote:Originally posted by Buk:
"You must never ask that question. It is a big secret and it is a bad question."


I can’t wait to use that one on my own kids. Heh.
 
 
SMS
00:39 / 11.10.01
quote:Originally posted by Chuckling Duck:


I can’t wait to use that one on my own kids. Heh.


Yes, but not for questions about God, or anything so grand. Tell them this when they ask why the sky is blue, what it is that's being served for dinner, & what the government does with your tax money.

quote: Saveloy

All-Loving SMatthewStolte, can you give us an example of what you're
talking about. I think I'm with you, but not sure.

One thing that springs to mind - are there no situations that you've found
yourself in, or ideas that you have had to deal with, that required the use of ideas and concepts that couldn't possibly have occurred to you as a nipper? Or are you talking about a basic 'hardcore' set of ideas and beliefs
covering everything?



I'm talking about the basis for my thoughts. I guess that's the hardcore set of ideas, but only because it's so hard to shake.

Many of my ideas, I think, are probably too sophisticated for my younger self to understand, or at least to have conceived. But I doubt that he would disagree with much I hold to be true today.

Some examples:
Political philosophy is almost identical.
Opinion about the existence of God and its implications.
Cringing whenever "natural" is used to justify actions.
Certainty that most people misunderstand the problems of hypocrisy.
Heavy emphasis on the fact that morals apply ONLY to YOU---not to the people around you.
De-emphasis on "rights." "Rights" are a shorthand derivative and can become easily confused for a basis.
De-emphasis on "fairness." I hate the concept.
 
  
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