The Conservative Mind functions with several metaphysical assumptions.
These are:
1) There is such a thing as reality. Reality is that which exists.
2) Reality is extrinsic to our perception of it. In other words, just because we don't know about something doesn't mean it doesn't exist.
3) Our minds are able to apprehend and misapprehend reality.
4) If our knowledge of reality is in conflict with some other aspect of our knowledge of it then we know that our understanding of reality is flawed.
5) Our happiness depends on a full understanding of reality.
6)Reality matters, since ignoring it leads to unhappiness.
Re-read The Metaphysics of Conservatism.
Holders of this view included the Titans of Classical thought, Plato, Socrates and Aristotle. The Roman Catholic Church and until recently, most of the mainline Christian Churches. Critical and Naive Realists.
Some people who oppose this view are Post-Modernists, Philosophical Relativists, Phenomenonists, holders of the Coherence Theory of Truth, and Existentialists.
( Intellectual pathology is the precursor of social pathology. A lot of the social pathology of the modern world has come about from the successful propagation of the ideas of this second group. Don't believe me? Homework task: Check out the adherents of this second group of ideas. The rot becomes apparent early on.)
That's all for today.
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8 comments:
5) Our happiness depends on a full understanding of reality.
Well, given that one of the hallmarks of clinical depression is the ability to *realistically* evaluate oneself, I'd say that's not always accurate.
I suspect that human beings are rather more nuanced. Too little or too much reality probably doesn't make us happy, at least in the wrong places.
Oddly enough, some of my atheist friends would claim that religion has no place in reality, but makes a huge number of people happier than they would be otherwise, making it a good thing.
Well, given that one of the hallmarks of clinical depression is the ability to *realistically* evaluate oneself, I'd say that's not always accurate.
For your reading pleasure.
Depression is a complex phenomena where the positive cognitive bias of happiness is replaced by the negative cognitive bias of depression.
However, to be fair, many depressed people do have accurate view of their world but a very, very inaccurate view of the big picture.
A single lonely mum, struggling with the bills and with four young children to two fathers has good reason to be depressed. Her situation can objectively be described as bad. Her life does suck.
However he depression has not struck her as bolt from the blue, rather it is predictable to anyone with an ounce of common sense.
Her situation is a consequence of either her bad luck, bad character or ignorance of how to live properly. Modern society conditions her to behave in such a way to ensure that her life will end up miserable. Traditional society, though imperfect, provided her better guides on how to live.
The vast bulk of depression that I treat is reactive. That is a consequence of a psychologically unhealthy lifestyle. The solution is frequently not drugs but a change in lifestyle. Drugs improve the mood but don't fix the problem. (Unless there are genuine genetic/biochemical issues, which are in reality infrequent).
Depression is a very complex topic affecting a vast and, I mean vast, number of the population. A combox discussion can't do it justice.
"Correspondence Theory of Truth"
Do you mean the Coherence Theory of Truth? The Correspondence Theory seems to me to be the same as the conservative view as you've laid it out here.
5) Our happiness depends on a full understanding of reality.
This is extremely questionable.
"In much wisdom is much pain,
And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow."
Ecclesiastes
"The truth is pain for those who see."
Sophocles
6)Reality matters, since ignoring it leads to unhappiness.
Sometimes.
You assume a too easy relationship between truth, beauty, happiness etc.
Blogger The Social Pathologist said...
@ The Duece
Thanks for picking up the error.
Amended.
@Thursday.
You assume a too easy relationship between truth, beauty, happiness etc.
I assume nothing. The beautiful is sometimes only seen with the mind, even as the eye is repulsed. A mans got to get past the thrill of glitter to know the joy of gold. The problem is that men are far too easily pleased and test nothing.
A while ago I put up a post called Zen. I suffered a lot of pain to get to that state. Yet the knowledge gained laid the foundations for future and different happiness.
Whilst on this earthly coil we will always have the potential to feel pain. Knowledge is what helps us minimise it.But more importantly than that knowledge of the transcendental truths does give joy.
I'm fully aware of all my failings and vices and, as a proud man, upon reflection they are a source of sorrow. Yet it is those transcendental truths which overcome the pain and do give joy.
Wasn't Quine a conservative?
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