The Art of Lying to Ourselves
Humanity’s perpetual denial of self-questioning knowledge
Coming from an Indian background and belonging to a Hindu family myself, I was pushed into a belief system that I never had the chance to question until I encountered other belief systems.
Surprisingly, I didn’t lie to myself. I could see what the other religion or the lifestyle I was presented with could offer to my future. But, I hesitated. The latter wasn’t perfect either. Neither of the belief systems was willing to grow.
Every religion, every community, every cult, every Individual being has something in common, although none of them intends to do it anyway. It’s what I like to call, “The Art of Lying to Ourselves”.
Prerequisites
Sometimes I wonder how “the greatest beings that ever walked on the planet”, a title we so conveniently gave ourself anyway, could be deprived of basic levels of rational reasoning.
There is an explanation to this of course, in cognitive science. It’s called “The Confirmational Bias”. Which I’m assuming most of you reading, must be knowing.
Else,
You could also read up about, Cognitive Dissonance.
Why do we lie to ourselves?
1. When we have two clashing belief systems in our heads.
This one’s a bummer really.
2. When the truth isn’t what we expected.
Some humans hate confrontation or anything unpleasant and they would rather run away than accept the truth. Some, not all.
3. When peer pressure comes into action.
We all like to fit in, don’t we? You’ll be surprised what you can do with this primal human need.
Before, we do that. Let’s all acknowledge the fact that we will never know the truth 100%. It’s simply not possible.
“There are known knowns. These are things we know that we know. There are known unknowns. That is to say, there are things that we know we don’t know. But there are also unknown unknowns. There are things we don’t know we don’t know.”
— DONALD RUMSFELD
Come, let’s fail at this magnificent art of lying to ourselves.
1. The Argument for Personal Religion
(When we have two clashing belief systems in our heads)
Does God really exist? I honestly don’t know. But,
Religion should not be a book written by some stranger.
Religion should not be used as a means for violence.
Religion should not condemn people of other religion.
Religion should not glorify humans as the only beings worthy of morality.
Religion should not be a lot of things, you see, which almost all of society’s religions are.
Instead,
Religion should be willing to grow.
Religion should be willing to adapt and serve.
Religion should be kind.
Religion should be impartial.
Religion should be as a means for better living.
Define it yourself.
If you don’t think you need a religion, cool. Instead, hold principles that make you a better being, be willing to change them. Grow into a better person.
Hold a single belief system.
2. The Argument for Meaning over Happiness.
(When the truth isn’t what we expected.)
We all think we want happiness is our end goal. Surprise. Surprise.
It isn’t. Think about it.
Why would you rather portray a beautiful life on Instagram rather than live a beautiful life in reality? Meaning.
We all like telling stories. Start telling stories that resemble the truth now.
We all want meaningful lives, where we prove ourselves useful and purposeful. How could you ever go far enough if you don’t stick to the truth and live a life of denial?
3. The Argument for Standing Out Vs Fitting In
(When peer pressure comes into action.)
Honestly, this is a decision.
As surprising as it may sound. You can choose the truth. It is objective in a lot of ways. Especially in our generation.
Then what’s the purpose of this whole article? Preserving the little truth we hold dear.
