Mr. Anderson is mad of course, but shhh, don't tell anyone! — Agent Smith
I am only creating a hypothetical where one has the dilemma of either truth or happiness. — TheMadMan
But is you main driver for choosing one against the other based on suffering? — universeness
You are presenting the cost of gaining truth as increased suffering — universeness
So, why do you choose a hypothetical that excludes the possibility of achieving truth AND happiness? — universeness
To me, that's a mad mans hypothetical and belongs firmly to the mind of the pessimist. — universeness
Because there are certain moments in one's life when they are exclusive. — TheMadMan
Hypothetical: You have learned that your partner who you love has cheated you multiple times.
I give the chance to press a button and completely forget that he/she has cheated on you. So you continue your relationship blissfully unaware and you are happy.
Would you push the button? — TheMadMan
I wouldn't push the button — T Clark
I disagree that your hypothetical is pragmatic — universeness
If you are now saying that your hypothetical is only referencing those times in a persons life when you have a choice between two evils, 'happiness at the expense of truth' or 'truth at the expense of happiness' then fine. — universeness
I ..... eventually gained happiness from the bitter truth — universeness
Although I don't agree that 'truth at the expense of (illusory) happiness' is evil. — TheMadMan
The exclusion of those points is deliberate as they open too many doors. My hypothetical is not set in the world of the movie. But if you would like it be be so, be my guest. — TheMadMan
Yes, this hypothetical changes a lot. My choice may seem radical but I would take the red pill regardless of what the real world is like. Of course assuming that in your hypothetical suicide is an option in the real world. — TheMadMan
I'd say it's neither rational nor irrational. It's a question of values, which are non-rational. — T Clark
Would you say that pursuing happiness and well-being is rational behaviour and denying yourself the opportunity for it, is irrational? — TheMadMan
Similarly, mightn't understanding as an absolute end in itself, be a kind of irrational idolatry? — hypericin
Get involved in philosophical discussions about knowledge, truth, language, consciousness, science, politics, religion, logic and mathematics, art, history, and lots more. No ads, no clutter, and very little agreement — just fascinating conversations.