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@OortCloudAtlas | |||||
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In teaching, I’m always making this crucial distinction:
“...cognitive science doesn’t show that the self is an illusion, despite what a few cognitive scientists say. Rather, it indicates that the self is a construction.”
— Why I Am Not a Buddhist by Evan Thompson
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Aella
@Aella_Girl
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31. sij |
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I always interpreted those terms as meaning the same thing; in what way do you mean them differently?
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Michael W Taft
@OortCloudAtlas
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31. sij |
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The components of the sense of self exist (in the conventional sense that anything else exists) i.e. the sensory experiences that make up a sense of self are not an illusion. But the idea that they add up to an actual entity is another matter.
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Jeff Sutherland
@jdsuther
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1. velj |
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Without more detail, this seems like an unsubstantial quibble. If illusion (as commonly used) means "not as it seems", I don't see a meaningful distinction in saying it's a construction.
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Michael W Taft
@OortCloudAtlas
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1. velj |
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The quibble is with the other common use of the word illusion to mean "nonexistent."
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•» Victorious Memetic
@xmusat
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31. sij |
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What is the actual distinction. It’s constructed by things that can be said to be broken down indefinitely, which is nothing, to create an appearance of coherence and continuity. Sounds the same
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JuliannaRaye
@juliannaraye
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31. sij |
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Semantics, lol!
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Kyōsen 🌠
@zenkyosen
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31. sij |
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Yes, it's the difference between saying the self IS an illusion and saying it is LIKE an illusion. Because this illusory language gets confusing, it's probably better if we avoid it altogether and use clearer language.
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RR Arnold
@rra3
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1. velj |
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Mark Epstein, in his book Thoughts without a Thinker, describes the sense of self as a *process*, not a thing - a characterization I’ve found helpful
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WiseAndShine
@ShapesOfEmpathy
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1. velj |
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Most cognitive theorists (academics) don't engage in contemplative practice, which speaks to our fragmented world. Also, contemplatives should read about cognitive biases. Seems obvious but rarely happens.
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