"Burton says it should be a red flag whenever anyone claims that they had no a priori assumptions. He concludes that complete objectivity is not possible. The best we can hope for is partial objectivity, which means acknowledging our biases and assumptions as accurately and honestly as we can. For example, when you look at a good scientific experiment, the experimenters tell you what their assumptions are. The key idea that relates to this is the fact that we cannot access the unconscious through introspection. We can only get a partial view of how our minds work. No matter how much you meditate or do things to develop more awareness, you cannot get to these unconscious layers. Why is it so difficult to let go of this myth of the autonomous, rational mind? Well one thing is that we generally tend to have a feeling that the mind is in a different category from the body. We accept our physical limitations, but we somehow think we should be able to overcome our mental limitations. I think that he puts it perfectly when he says, "Our mental limitations prevent us from accepting our mental limitations." Campbell, Ginger (2012-06-10). Are You Sure? The Unconscious Origins of Certainty (Brain Talk: Conversations with Neuroscientists) (Kindle Locations 368-376). JENTS, LLC. Kindle Edition.
Posted on: Fri, 02 Aug 2013 17:43:23 +0000
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