adamchalmers on Nostr: It is easy to idealise anything and there is a healthy side to strong beliefs. You ...
It is easy to idealise anything and there is a healthy side to strong beliefs. You want something to be better than it is, and so you imagine it and aim for it. This is at the core of creating something better for yourself and the world. Without political, moral, philosophical and technological idealists change would be very slow.
There is an unhealthy side too. That of always imagining that in some ideal scenario everything will be perfect. When taken to the extreme of fanaticism it can result in constant unhappiness, the in-ability to be present with what is, and a deep sense of dissatisfaction. The fanaticist is never really happy because the requirements necessary to fulfil them are always an imagined ideal which does not exist.
You should be wary of committing fully to anything that ends in ‘ism’ for this very reason. It can quickly become all consuming and block you from a broader perspective.
Here’s a list of some common ism’s that you could get caught up in. If you are aware enough of the pitfall of believing too strongly in these then you can retain a healthy mindset of strong convictions held lightly.
Political: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Marxism, Activism, Nationalism, Imperialism
Philosophical: Humanism, Libertarianism, Idealism, Determinism, Existentialism, Maximalism, Veganism
Religious: Fundamentalism, Monotheism, Polytheism, Paganism, Atheism, Agnosticism
Technological: Transhumanism, Technologism, Posthumanism, Digitalism This list is far from exhaustive. All of these belief and thought systems have various degrees of adherence and some when followed fanatically do not pose a risk to human flourishing. Others, especially the political and religious variations are downright dangerous when approached with single minded zeal. You would do well as an intelligent and curious person to look into these belief systems (if you have not already) as they all offer something of value to consider and reflect upon. Rare indeed is the person who can take elements from these various ism’s; contemplate them, integrate components of them into a wider system of thought, and appreciate their value without becoming fully identified with any one ideology. All of the proponents of the different ism’s will want you to believe that their particular view is the right one, in fact the only one worth considering. This is a mistake, avoid this one pitfall and you can enjoy all of the healthful benefits of strong beliefs without the toxic results of fanatical idealism. It is easy to idealise anything, it’s more challenging and rewarding to hold your strong beliefs with an open mind.
#openmind #polaritythinking #wisdom #life #mindset
Political: Capitalism, Socialism, Communism, Marxism, Activism, Nationalism, Imperialism
Philosophical: Humanism, Libertarianism, Idealism, Determinism, Existentialism, Maximalism, Veganism
Religious: Fundamentalism, Monotheism, Polytheism, Paganism, Atheism, Agnosticism
Technological: Transhumanism, Technologism, Posthumanism, Digitalism This list is far from exhaustive. All of these belief and thought systems have various degrees of adherence and some when followed fanatically do not pose a risk to human flourishing. Others, especially the political and religious variations are downright dangerous when approached with single minded zeal. You would do well as an intelligent and curious person to look into these belief systems (if you have not already) as they all offer something of value to consider and reflect upon. Rare indeed is the person who can take elements from these various ism’s; contemplate them, integrate components of them into a wider system of thought, and appreciate their value without becoming fully identified with any one ideology. All of the proponents of the different ism’s will want you to believe that their particular view is the right one, in fact the only one worth considering. This is a mistake, avoid this one pitfall and you can enjoy all of the healthful benefits of strong beliefs without the toxic results of fanatical idealism. It is easy to idealise anything, it’s more challenging and rewarding to hold your strong beliefs with an open mind.
#openmind #polaritythinking #wisdom #life #mindset