#Human Understanding

[reality-detective]

THE SCIENCE THAT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE; - Bruce Lipton

“You are made of 50 trillion cells so you are a community, not a single person. Learn how the cells work and you will know more than most doctors in the world today because they still believe in the genes.”

[a-typical]

“We can judge our progress by the courage of our questions and the depth of our answers, our willingness to embrace what is true rather than what feels good.” ― Carl Sagan

[tears-that-heal]

To My Dear Brothers & Sisters in Jesus Christ....

"Mindfulness"

The term, mindfulness (or mindful), has become a loaded word in our modern day. According to Webster dictionary, mindfulness is defined as such. 1. the quality or state of being mindful. 2. the practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis; also  : such a state of awareness. So this formal definition seems to be a great word to describe one's mindset or outlook on life. Personally, I strive to be "mindful" on the daily, but what this word is strongly associated to eastern religions like Hinduism and Buddhism.

I touched on these two religions, and their practices on yoga and meditation in a previous post, but adapting their practice of "mindfulness" hasn't needed to happen because within the church. As a Christian, we gain knowledge, wisdom, and understanding through the Holy Spirit, a.k.a Yeshua/God. To achieve "mindfulness" without God is what I'm mainly addressing here. This post is a loving warning for you to be alert and sober whenever you come across this word in the world. Do not fear it, but definitely ask the Holy Spirit for Discernment and Wisdom if you come inbox contact with this subject; especially in Psychology and other Wellness-related services in the US. While still in California, I worked in high school education for a time and "mindfulness" was brought up alot in multiple mandatory meetings. *sigh* Basically, "mindfulness" is the practice to achieve awareness on your own human knowledge and understanding, and to also sustain it on your own will. Truly its more of an awareness of oneself, then awareness of others. Which ties into what I said in my previous post on yoga and meditation.

Mindfulness meditation is, of course, a thing too. It's the "how-to" to practice becoming and being "mindful". For Christians, we mediate/ponder on God's Word, the Holy Bible. Then through prayer, we receive knowledge and understanding from the Holy Spirit of what we've read. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." (Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT) We are instructed to not depend on our own human knowledge and wisdom because our understanding is limited and flawed. Compared tp our God/Yeshua, who's All Knowing and Perfect. I personally strive to live by this biblical passage as humanly possible. Of course, my efforts are imperfect and God know that too. He simply asks us to look to Him as we wholeheartedly, try daily. So please, be weary of the practice of "mindfulness" as you travel through this life on earth. God Bless <;3

[blueheartbookclub]

"Embarking on Enlightenment: A Journey through 'Initiation into Philosophy' by Émile Faguet"

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" serves as a captivating portal into the world of profound ideas and intellectual exploration. This literary gem not only educates but also enthralls, making the initiation into philosophy a thrilling adventure.

Faguet, with eloquence and insight, navigates the intricate landscapes of philosophical thought, presenting complex concepts in a manner accessible to both novices and seasoned philosophers. The book invites readers to ponder the fundamental questions that have shaped human understanding for centuries, sparking a delightful intellectual curiosity.

One of the book's strengths lies in its ability to demystify philosophy, transforming it from an abstract discipline into a vibrant and relevant exploration of life's most profound inquiries. Faguet's narrative style is both engaging and thought-provoking, creating a harmonious balance between scholarly depth and reader-friendly accessibility.

As readers traverse the pages, they encounter a rich tapestry of philosophical traditions, from ancient wisdom to modern theories, each contributing to the mosaic of human thought. Faguet masterfully weaves together key philosophical tenets, offering readers a panoramic view of the discipline's evolution while highlighting its enduring relevance to contemporary life.

The book's thematic organization allows for a seamless journey through the realms of metaphysics, ethics, and epistemology, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of philosophy's multifaceted nature. Faguet's insights into the works of notable philosophers add a layer of richness, transforming the book into a guide through the intellectual lineage of great thinkers.

"Initiation into Philosophy" is not merely a book; it is an odyssey that beckons readers to embrace the joy of intellectual discovery. Faguet's prose invites reflection, prompting readers to question, contemplate, and savor the intricacies of the philosophical landscape.

In conclusion, Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is an intellectual feast that transcends the boundaries of time. With a captivating blend of erudition and accessibility, the book stands as an enduring testament to the timeless allure of philosophical inquiry, making it a must-read for anyone curious about the profound mysteries of existence.

Émile Faguet's "Initiation into Philosophy" is available in Amazon in paperback 12.99$ and hardcover 20.99$ editions.

Number of pages: 191

Language: English

Rating: 8/10                                           

Link of the book!

Review By: King's Cat

[ferdifz]

The thing about the kind of person who encounters something they can't seem to understand, then they just flat out refuses to even try to understand, and then proceeds to immediately declare the thing they can't understand as ugly...

Yeah...

[/Proceeds to eat a banana that had just been duct-taped to a wall.]

[neenarchive]

not being able to borrow an ebook because someone else has it on loan is stupid as hell. like babe this is Document. these are pixels.

[mod2amaryllis]

i love being married to a straight guy. this morning we were parallel chilling and i glance at his computer and he's watching a drill fight tournament. as in, guys attaching drills to the same rod and turning them on until one breaks. to find the strongest drill. jose noticed me staring and rolled out of the way so i could see the screen. he knew every drill brand and told me their quality and price. i watched the whole thing without comment. the violence was enchanting. i never would have found this. he's a vector to an entirely alien, often beautiful, world.

[cronchy-baguette]

Unspoken history

[iyemarathichiyenagari1971]

स्वानुभवातून उमजलेलं, हृदयाशी एकरूप झालेलं ज्ञान म्हणजे विज्ञान

जो हा विज्ञानात्मकु भावो । तया विचारितां जाहला वावो ।मग लागला जंव पाहो । तंव ज्ञान तें तोचि ।। ८८ ।। ज्ञानेश्वरी अध्याय सहावा ओवीचा अर्थ – अनुभवाला येणारें जें हें दृश्य जगत् त्याचा विचार करतां, तें त्याच्यादृष्टीनें मिथ्या ठरलें. व मग आपण कोण आहों, असें जेव्हां तो पाहावयास लागला, तेव्हां ज्ञान तेंच आपण आहोंत, असें त्यास कळलें. या ओवीत संत ज्ञानेश्वर विज्ञानयुक्त अध्यात्माचे अत्यंत सूक्ष्म आणि…

[poorly-drawn-mdzs]

Expertise can't help you here.

[reality-detective]

I have posted this 👇 before, but was removed from YouTube...

It's a longer version, Santos Bonacci explains it perfectly. 🤔

[leviathan-supersystem]

it's important to talk about how pop psychology sucks ass. but that shouldn't distract you from also talking about how Serious, Official, Legitimate Psychology also sucks ass.

[inkskinned]

i have chronic pain. i am neurodivergent. i understand - deeply - the allure of a "quick fix" like AI. i also just grew up in a different time. we have been warned about this.

15 entire years ago i heard about this. in my forensics class in high school, we watched a documentary about how AI-based "crime solving" software was inevitably biased against people of color.

my teacher stressed that AI is like a book: when someone writes it, some part of the author will remain within the result. the internet existed but not as loudly at that point - we didn't know that AI would be able to teach itself off already-biased Reddit threads. i googled it: yes, this bias is still happening. yes, it's just as bad if not worse.

i can't actually stop you. if you wanna use ChatGPT to slide through your classes, that's on you. it's your money and it's your time. you will spend none of it thinking, you will learn nothing, and, in college, you will piss away hundreds of thousands of dollars. you will stand at the podium having done nothing, accomplished nothing. a cold and bitter pyrrhic victory.

i'm not even sure students actually read the essays or summaries or emails they have ChatGPT pump out. i think it just flows over them and they use the first answer they get. my brother teaches engineering - he recently got fifty-three copies of almost-the-exact-same lab reports. no one had even changed the wording.

and yes: AI itself (as a concept and practice) isn't always evil. there's AI that can help detect cancer, for example. and yet: when i ask my students if they'd be okay with a doctor that learned from AI, many of them balk. it is one thing if they don't read their engineering textbook or if they don't write the critical-thinking essay. it's another when it starts to affect them. they know it's wrong for AI to broad-spectrum deny insurance claims, but they swear their use of AI is different.

there's a strange desire to sort of divorce real-world AI malpractice over "personal use". for example, is it moral to use AI to write your cover letters? cover letters are essentially only templates, and besides: AI is going to be reading your job app, so isn't it kind of fair?

i recently found out that people use AI as a romantic or sexual partner. it seems like teenagers particularly enjoy this connection, and this is one of those "sticky" moments as a teacher. honestly - you can roast me for this - but if it was an actually-safe AI, i think teenagers exploring their sexuality with a fake partner is amazing. it prevents them from making permanent mistakes, it can teach them about their bodies and their desires, and it can help their confidence. but the problem is that it's not safe. there isn't a well-educated, sensitive AI specifically to help teens explore their hormones. it's just internet-fed cycle. who knows what they're learning. who knows what misinformation they're getting.

the most common pushback i get involves therapy. none of us have access to the therapist of our dreams - it's expensive, elusive, and involves an annoying amount of insurance claims. someone once asked me: are you going to be mad when AI saves someone's life?

therapists are not just trained on the book, they're trained on patient management and helping you see things you don't see yourself. part of it will involve discomfort. i don't know that AI is ever going to be able to analyze the words you feed it and answer with a mind towards the "whole person" writing those words. but also - if it keeps/kept you alive, i'm not a purist. i've done terrible things to myself when i was at rock bottom. in an emergency, we kind of forgive the seatbelt for leaving bruises. it's just that chat shouldn't be your only form of self-care and recovery.

and i worry that the influence chat has is expanding. more and more i see people use chat for the smallest, most easily-navigated situations. and i can't like, make you worry about that in your own life. i often think about how easy it was for social media to take over all my time - how i can't have a tiktok because i spend hours on it. i don't want that to happen with chat. i want to enjoy thinking. i want to enjoy writing. i want to be here. i've already really been struggling to put the phone down. this feels like another way to get you to pick the phone up.

the other day, i was frustrated by a book i was reading. it's far in the series and is about a character i resent. i googled if i had to read it, or if it was one of those "in between" books that don't actually affect the plot (you know, one of those ".5" books). someone said something that really stuck with me - theoretically you're reading this series for enjoyment, so while you don't actually have to read it, one would assume you want to read it.

i am watching a generation of people learn they don't have to read the thing in their hand. and it is kind of a strange sort of doom that comes over me: i read because it's genuinely fun. i learn because even though it's hard, it feels good. i try because it makes me happy to try. and i'm watching a generation of people all lay down and say: but i don't want to try.

[limbcom]

"Holding your hand doesn't have to mean that I accept your friendship," the liar said to the truthful, trying to lie in front of the only person who understands his intentions.

He knows, of course, that the liar did not lie. For the liar is also the truthful.

[taraxippos]

One of my all time biggest pet peeves with historical(ish) fantasy is when the writer constructs a religion with a clear bias that it's stupid and false and therefore only the Stupid People and/or commoners believe in it and all the smart/elite main characters are like, quasi-atheists or otherwise just routinely flout established religious conventions of orthodoxy and/or orthopraxy because they're Too Smart for it or etc.

It's usually an extension of assumptions that people in the past were just less intelligent than in the contemporary, just being like "I know that the sun is a star millions of miles away that the earth orbits, but this ancient religion describes it as a chariot flying through the sky" and not really bothering to learn the context and just (consciously or subconsciously) settling on 'that's a crazy thing to think and was probably believed in because they were Stupid'.

And that whole attitude pisses me off so much. People were as 'smart' 10,000 years ago as they are today. These beliefs aren't just desperate, random flailing to explain phenomena that could not directly be accounted for either, it's not like people just looked at the sun and went "Uhhh I don't know what the fuck that thing is, actually. I guess it might be a chariot or a boat or something?? Yeah let's go with that." and based entire religious practices on this. Every well-established belief system exists within broader contexts of cultural values/subjective perceptions of reality/knowledge systems/etc, and exist as part of a historical continuum of religious practices that came before. Even when not Materially Correct, they have context and internal logic, they're not always dead literal with zero levels of allegory, and they're never a result of stupidity.