Mind Tyranny: Whatever Happened to Common Sense?

If you are 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 the mind possesses, it is an idea that possesses the mind." (Robert Oxton Bolt) One of the most pressing issues to consider is, "Does  'thought' exist?" Rene Descartes proclaimed, "I think. Therefore, I am." (Cogito, ergo sum) Is it prudent to question his conclusion? Perhaps it is not only prudent, but necessary.

In discussing various aspects of mind tyranny, we should begin to evaluate ways in which to think cogently, to achieve clarity of thought, heretofore abandoned in most of society. Thinking is the cognitive activities incorporated to: (1) process information; (2) solve problems; (3) make decisions; and (4) create new ideas. We utilize thinking skills when we attempt to make sense of myriad experiences. We, at least in theory, draw upon thinking to organize information, integrate that information via connections to formulate questions. Thinking is also useful if we wish to either make plans or decide on a particular course of action.

As is universally the case, propaganda is supported more frequently by slogans than by logic or facts. "Things have different qualities, and the soul different inclinations; for nothing is simple which is presented to the soul, and the soul never presents itself simply to any object. Hence it comes that we weep and laugh at the same thing." (Blaise Pascal)

How do we locate the "mind tyrants"? Listen for the loudest and most strident voices. They frequently present the most impassioned pleas and outrageous claims. Mind tyrants are those who try to shape your thoughts and impose values. Tyranny of the mind does not come from the top down, presented as imperial commands. Mind tyrants attempt to force upon us ideologies that seek to coerce and control us.

"Only the courageous will survive tyranny. The others deserve to live in chains." (Prof. Mike Adams UNC - Chapel Hill) Sadly, most don't realize that they are living "in chains". We grow up in various enclaves, we adopt various societal practices/customs, and assume that is just the way things are and should be.

In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye's refrain throughout is, "Tradition!" Irrespective 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 attempt to establish a framework that enables us to move beyond this  stricture.

Mind Tyranny: What is Truth?

Do you find yourself wondering, "What, if anything, do I really know?" If yes, then you and I will be able to take this journey together. If no, then you are likely deceiving yourself into thinking that you have answers to questions about which you have given little reflection.

In the account often referred to as Jesting Pilate, we find the following exchange: "Jesus answered, 'For . . . I have come into the world . . . to bear witness to the truth. . ..' Pilate said to him, 'What is truth?'" (Quid est veritas?)

Ted Williams said, "If you don't think too good, don't think too much." Most of us, unfortunately, "don't think too good." (sic.) We assume that our thinking is predicated on our cognitive processes. However, very frequently, our thoughts are not our own.

Propaganda is information, especially of either a biased or misleading nature, used to promote or publicize a particular cause or point of view. Are we being educated or propagandized? Albert Einstein defined education as "what remains after one has forgotten everything one has learned in school.

It is very important that we have some knowledge of the motivation behind the "professor" of information/knowledge that is conveyed. Are they attempting to inform, convince or persuade?  Perhaps, they are intentionally attempting to deceive.

Some individuals appear to have no interest in what they are saying. However, it may be imprudent to conclude that they are not lying. As Blaise Pascal said, "Some people lie for the mere sake of lying."

If you are like me, you are finding it increasingly difficult to find reporting that is not tinged with bias. Years ago, while serving on the faculty of a graduate university, I was assigned to the Research Department.  Although never fully successful, researchers learn to seek equipoise (i.e., neutrality in the results derived from the research conducted).

This is often very difficult to attain if there are strong vested interests in the outcome. I vividly recall one research project that I initiated, at which time, another faculty member stated, "It's been nice knowing you, Tom."

When I first decided to discuss this topic, I thought that we might be able to address the issue relatively easily. However, there is much more that we must discuss to do the topic justice.

Have you ever wondered whether truth is viewed the same, irrespective of where on the planet it is being discussed? Research has revealed that Westerners place more emphasis on individual rights. Easterners appear to place more emphasis on social responsibility.

If you wish to explore this further, join me in future posts.

Mind Tyranny: Fact or Fiction?

Have you ever wondered why individuals raised in the same home, with the same caregivers, and virtually identical environmental stimuli develop such disparate interpretations of the world in which they live? Undoubtedly, as individuals, we have a myriad of genetic and biological influences in our lives. We are also susceptible to various stressors that are unique to the lives we lead.

However, to what extent may the lens through which we view our lives be contingent upon the aforementioned factors? Why do we process data so differently? We often hear terms such as, "Science says . . .." In reality, Science speaks via the interpretation of data by scientists. These scientists interpret data, albeit unintentionally (in the vast majority of cases), encumbered by their biases, prejudices, lack of sufficient data/knowledge, etc.

To ask the question stated in our title, assumes there exists congruity in the use of the term "mind." This is an assumption that is readily challenged.

There are researchers that assert that mind does not exist, certainly not the conscious mind. Others assert that mind is nothing more than neuronal activity emanating from the brain. Others assert that mind is spatially limited to neither the brain nor the body.

For the purpose of this discussion, we must assume that mind does exist. Tyranny is defined as a situation in which someone or something controls how you are able to live, think and act in an unfair way.

Is the mind being impacted by tyranny? In considering this question, we must first determine whether, if tyranny is extant, is it being imposed altruistically, selfishly, sadistically, out of necessity, etc.

"For I have sworn upon the altar of god eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man." (This quote appears under the dome of the Jefferson Memorial in D.C.)

You should permit no one to force their opinions on you. If we avoid that pitfall, we are capable of seeing more clearly and addressing issues more efficiently and comprehensively.

We frequently parrot the talking points reflecting our partisanship. When we do so, we cease to participate in society as we should. We surrender a great deal of our personal freedoms when we either allow others to think for us or adopt their views uncritically. The only tyranny which exists is tyranny of the mind - a tyranny to which we slothfully surrender. 

Avoidance requires diligence, perspicacity, and a steadfast demand for truth. Freedom cannot exist in the absence of truth. (The existence of "truth" will be discussed elsewhere.)

Victor Emil Frankl was an Austrian neurologist and psychiatrist as well as a Holocaust survivor. Frankl stated, "Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."

It appears self-evident that "mind tyranny" is a fact. Obviously, much remains to be discussed regarding who and what are responsible for such impositions.

Mind Tyranny

Thank you for stopping by. It is my desire to demonstrate ways in which you may think with greater clarity and reach conclusions that are both rational and logical.

First, we must reach an accord as to how we are able to think. It is this matter, to which we will soon turn our attention.

For thirty years, I focused my efforts on stemming the tide on healthcare fraud and abuse. In an effort to accomplish this goal, I engaged in, among other things: (1) private practice; (2) teaching various courses at a post-graduate level; (3) consulted with Consumer Health Information Research Institute ( CHIRI); (4) taught thousands of physicians, chiropractors, surgeons, law enforcement, to include FBI agents and prosecutors, to include Assistant Attorneys General et al. (For information regarding published works, please visit my "About Me" page.)

I would like to begin this journey by establishing a simple framework upon which the user will be able to analyze data and apply processes that will lay a foundation for cogent thought. We must first establish a reliable method for data collection.

Most healthcare providers are well aware of the acronym SOAP. By incorporating this simple strategy, providers are able to generate hypotheses (discussed infra.) The acronym represents the following:

S: Subjective. Collection of this data tells the provider how or what the patient feels, senses, etc.

O: Objective. These are observations made during medical evaluations that are not under the patient's control, such as X-ray results, nerve conduction studies, and MRIs.

A: Assessment. This represents data collected via both subjective and objective findings. Arithmetically, it may be represented as follows: S + O = A.

It is at this stage that the hypothesis is generated. We will discuss this in detail in subsequent posts.

P: Plan of treatment.

As bizarre as it may seem, it is from this simple framework that we will develop our HOAT (Hypothesis Oriented Algorithm for Thinking).