avatarArup Roy

Summary

The article titled "The way we think" contemplates the origins of thought and knowledge, questioning the validity of established wisdom and advocating for a reevaluation or complete overhaul of our cognitive paradigms.

Abstract

The piece, "The way we think," delves into the philosophical underpinnings of human cognition, suggesting that our thoughts are deeply influenced by the knowledge imparted to us by others. It references Plato's cave allegory to illustrate the idea that our perception of reality is often shaped by external sources rather than direct experience. The author, Orup, challenges the conventional wisdom by implying that those who wield the pen—scholars and thinkers—have historically been more influential than those with physical might. This leads to a provocative questioning of the value of our current thought processes and knowledge base. Orup provocatively suggests that perhaps it is time to discard our existing frameworks and rebuild our understanding of the world, either gradually or abruptly. The article concludes with a poetic signature by the author and a reference to another work, "Why Marry?"

Opinions

  • The author believes that our thoughts are significantly shaped by the knowledge passed down to us, implying a possible limitation or bias in our understanding.
  • There is a suggestion that historically, intellectual influence has been more enduring than brute force, as indicated by the power of the pen over the sword.
  • The article expresses a radical view that our current ways of thinking might be flawed and in need of a drastic change or complete reset.
  • The piece raises the question of whether we should approach the transformation of our thought processes incrementally or through a more revolutionary, all-encompassing shift.
  • The author's perspective is that the originators of knowledge ("they") have a profound impact on the collective mindset, which may not always be beneficial or accurate.

“The way we think”

Rethinking thought

“plato cave_small” (Plato’s cave allegory) by Storybuilder is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. Image from Google search (Creative Commons)

The way we think, surely is a fruit of what we know,

What we know, however, fruits from the seeds of knowledge in our minds that “they” sow,

Wasn’t though the person with the pen, also, usually not the one with a better gun, a better sword, better arrows, and a better bow?

So, to hell with the way we think, and what we know;

Should we wipe it all out?

Should we begin afresh?

Should we do it layer by layer, or all in one go?

~ Orup | April 2021

Image and words by the writer.

Others by Orup:

Why Marry?

https://readmedium.com/why-marry-c93696514cdf

Poetry
Poetry On Medium
Philosophy
Free Will
Psychology
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