CESICION MAKING PART 2 The sober decisions The sober decisions are the outcome of the conscious processing, of our unconscious “desires”, by our logic. The function of the conscious mind is to evaluate our natural “desires” according to the rules of reason and by taking into account: (a) the knowledge stored in our minds,(b) our experiences and (c) any external reliable evidence. Epicurus called the sober decision νήφων λογισμός, ie sober thinking or cool calculation, whose function is to search the reasons for every choice and avoidance and to reject the false opinions, which are the source of unrest in the souls of men». Logic may be resembled to a judge in a court, before whom our instincts, emotions and senses – our natural self - present their “desires” asking to be fulfilled. The judge – logic - receives the testimonies and evidences from all available sources and takes them into consideration. The judge makes a distinction between mere opinion and knowledge, between the idea waiting to be confirmed by additional evidence and that which is already true, between the close clear image and the distant misleading one, between the counterfeit and the genuine “desires”, as well as among the erroneous and the correct views and evidences. After a thoughtful judgment the judge – logic - issues its verdict – decision. If logic is short of adequate evidence it may ask for more supportive data. In this case it runs the risk of indecision, which may have more negative effects on happiness than a wrong decision. On this, Lucretius said: It is worse to suspect that the legends referred to Acheron are true, rather than believing in them. The epicurean philosophy supports the view, as modern science also does, that even though habits, as well as internal and external influences play a significant role in decision making, the final choice is subject to our free will and it is a conscious act of ourself. As long as we are capable of thinking, we have the ability to discover opportunities to choose from and take conscious, deliberate, decisions. Sober decisions may be consistent or contrary to the attitude, or the perception stored in our unconscious mind. For example, while our general attitude toward pain is to regard it as evil and avoid it, in the special case of a necessary surgery we choose to suffer, in view of the greater pleasure that will follow. Accordingly, while the right attitude is to prefer the simple diet, we may pass our limits when the opportunity arises,, and indulge in drinking and entertainment.
Posted on: Mon, 22 Sep 2014 05:53:59 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015