But also, isn't comfort ultimately miserable? — Noble Dust
These two statements seem contradictory. So. I remain confused. — Janus
I agree, but the parallel here is about our state of mind, about the authenticity of our experiences. We can easily find a partner who we are indifferent to but they have a pleasing enough face to help tolerate having sex with, or we can find someone who we genuinely care about and fulfils our experience in life beyond that mere interaction. We can go to work in a dead end job as long as we make money to buy material bullshit and a nice meal until we grow old and die, or we can fight injustice and do something meaningful in our lives. — TimeLine
You're making this too personal. The options, as set out in the opening post, are to continue to be miserable in the domain of the real, or to give up reality for wealth and power in a dreamworld. The options aren't as you set out above, and besides, one could have the experience of living your ideal life in the dreamworld, despite it not being the real thing. The real thing might be your priority, but it's clearly not everyone's priority, and that's okay. It's okay that there's a difference in how people answer this question. There's no real right or wrong here. You should recognise that your ideal life isn't necessarily the ideal life of others. — Sapientia
It doesn't seem to me there is any moral imperative to be authentic. Authenticity would seem to be for some and not for others, and perhaps even only possible for some and not for others. So, authenticity and inauthenticity would just seem to be two possible modes of being for humans; and perhaps no human could ever be entirely one or the other. — Janus
But also, isn't comfort ultimately miserable? — Noble Dust
one could have the experience of living your ideal life [a meaningful life] in the dreamworld, despite it not being the real thing — Sapientia
Now, none of this really came across in The Matrix, even though that was the symbolic meaning [but then, it did have Kenau Reeves in it.] But, that was reason the ‘red pill blue pill’ scene was meaningful, [or perhaps, what it meant to me.] — Wayfarer
That makes no sense, it is supposed to be personal. — TimeLine
As mentioned already to Michael, the Architect at the end of the movie explains whether or not you will actually be happy considering that bad is as much a part of the human condition and necessary for the matrix to function productively, that what you are right now is just the same as what it will be in the matrix. — TimeLine
You are not Cypher. You are Jessica from West Brompton who eats gluten free. — TimeLine
Is free-will an ideal? — TimeLine
True. Thing is that no matter what world we live in it is still a construct of some kind. That being the case, what really matters? Does the pursuit of wealth and power matter? Is it fulfilling or lead to real happiness and bliss? If I recall, the character of Cypher, while in the midst of betraying his associates, claims that ignorance is bliss. I don't think that's true. — praxis
That doesn't make me a coward, contrary to what has been suggested by Her Nobleness. It makes me a rational hedonist. — Sapientia
In the story, Neo could fly in the matrix. He even transcended death in the matrix. Flying and no fear of death would not appeal to a rational hedonist? It should, so we might conclude that the reluctance is based on fear (of the unknown or whatever) and attraction to the relative comfort of the known and predictable. — praxis
But that's neither continuing to be miserable in the domain of the real nor giving up reality for wealth and power in a dreamworld. — Sapientia
That's a have-your-cake-and-eat-it option outside of those presented, which means you're breaking the rules. — Sapientia
I didn't grow up in the sixties but, coincidentally, I just finished reading How to Change Your Mind: What The New Science Of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, And Transcendence and when I read this topic yesterday I immediately made the association. I didn't get it before I guess. — praxis
The religious impulse of the sixties must be rescued from the wreckage and redeemed. The exposure to Hinduism and Buddhism that my generation had to get haphazardly from contemporary literature and music should be formalized and standardized for basic education. What students need to negotiate their way through the New Age fog is scholarly knowledge of ancient and medieval history, from early pagan nature cults through the embattled consolidation of Christian theology. Teaching religion as culture rather than as morality also gives students the intellectual freedom to find the ethical principles at the heart of every religion.
It's interesting that psychedelics have made a comeback, but you have to be careful what you say. — Wayfarer
In time there will emerge a synthesis of thought. A great work of philosophy that will unite the disparate truth of the Masters into one enduring truth. This might only emerge when the age of self and the 'delusions' inherent to the importance of self come to an end. — Marcus de Brun
There's a recent study mentioned in Pollan's book about researcher exploring the spiritual aspect of psychedelics rather than purely health-related. Scientists concerning themselves with spirituality. Promising! — praxis
What happens if you take both pills at once? — Posty McPostface
There's a recent study mentioned in Pollan's book about researcher exploring the spiritual aspect of psychedelics rather than purely health-related. Scientists concerning themselves with spirituality. Promising!
— praxis
It's deja vue all over again :lol: — Wayfarer
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