Mental Tyranny: What Happened to Common Sense?
If you’re like me, you often find yourself saying, “That doesn’t make any sense. I just can’t understand how that conclusion was reached.”
“Belief is not an idea possessed by the mind, it is an idea possessed by the mind.” (Robert Oxton Bolt) One of the most pressing questions to consider is: “Does ‘thought’ exist?” René Descartes proclaimed: “I think. Therefore, I exist.” (Cogito ergo sum) Is it wise to question your conclusion? Perhaps it is not only prudent, but necessary.
In discussing various aspects of the tyranny of the mind, we should begin to evaluate ways in which to think convincingly, to achieve clarity of thought, hitherto neglected in most of society. Thought is the cognitive activities incorporated to: (1) process information; (2) solve problems; (3) make decisions; and (4) create new ideas. We use thinking skills when trying to make sense of a myriad of experiences.
We, in theory at least, rely on thought to organize information, we integrate that information through connections to ask questions. Thinking is also useful if we want to make plans or decide on a particular course of action.
As is universally the case, propaganda relies more frequently on slogans than on logic or facts. “Things have different qualities, and the soul different inclinations; because nothing is simple what is presented to the soul, and the soul is never simply presented to any object. Hence it comes that we cry and laugh at the same thing.” (Blaise Pascal)
How do we locate the “tyrants of the mind”? Hear the loudest and loudest voices. They often present the most passionate pleas and outrageous claims. Tyrants of the mind are those who try to shape their thoughts and impose values. The tyranny of the mind does not come from the top down, presented as imperial orders. The tyrants of the mind try to impose ideologies on us that seek to coerce and control us.
“Only the brave will survive tyranny. The rest deserve to live in chains.” (Prof. Mike Adams UNC – Chapel Hill) Unfortunately, most do not realize that they live “in chains.” We grow up in various enclaves, adopt various social practices / customs and assume that this is the way things are and should be.
On Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye’s chorus is “Tradition!” Regardless of our recognition, it is tradition that is at the root of almost all of our thoughts, actions, and beliefs.
In future articles, we will try to establish a framework that allows us to go beyond this restriction.