That was an interesting and inspiring read, thanks for sharing.
The "Know thyself" saying has been something that's been on my mind for a while now as I struggle to try to determine what is true or belief and the differences between such and whatnot and... If you don't mind me asking. Who would you say you are at the deepest level?
Thank you for the comment, for the question and for the reestem, it really is appreciated.
I don't think I have a definition for myself, either at the most superficial or the deepest level. I believe that self-perception is what we call ego and it is an evil from which we must separate. Then I find myself unable to answer that question.
Know thyself, from my perception, refers to knowing what you are and not who you are.
You're welcome for the comment, question and resteem.
Thanks for trying to answer. :)
It seems like me and you have some interesting common interests but also quite different ideas on things, which is not necessarily surprising but it does provide for a good back and forth I think!
I'd like to respond that I don't think ego is evil and I don't think it's possible to totally separate from, I think ego is a perception of self and that I'm not sure how life would work if we didn't have some kind of perception of self? Everything it seems like would kind of just blur together if there wasn't separation.
I sort of see "who" and "what" synonymously in this case, however, lemme rephrase then... Instead of asking who you are, let me ask.. What are you at the deepest level or whatever level you feel okay answering about?
I don't know if you believe in this, but... a soul. A soul that seeks truth, goodness, justice, and liberty, just like any other soul, trying to know thyself without falling into the error of believing that I am the ego.
Maybe I was a little reductionist in saying that the ego is a evil thing, because in effect, I think there is nothing inherently evil. Although I do believe that you can live a life without self-perception.
Maybe my answer is not the kind of answer you expected, but it's the best I have for now.
I am very open minded to the idea of some kind of "soul" or "souls". I appreciate the qualities you mentioned! I think the ego is just part of who we are, a necessary part for existence to work, though definitely not the whole and full story from how I see it!
Hmmm.. Nothing inherently evil? I'm not totally sure I understand that, especially when it seems like you were saying morality is objective? Perhaps you could clarify a bit more?
And, how can you live a life without self perception? A life might be able to live, like a plant or something probably has no awareness of itself, yet lives... Yet... how can "you" live without a perception of self? If you had no concept of who of an ego or perception of self, who would it be that is living in your body?
And that's okay! I'm not really expecting any particular answer, and I'm happy to hear what different people believe in regards to such. :) Thanks for giving it a go and trying to answer! :D
I think there are good things, and not so good things when talking about goodness, but nothing inherently good or evil except good in itself or evil in itself. Only good in itself is inherently good, and the same with evil, but nothing else is inherently good or evil.
A life of a monk maybe.
I think the same.
Thanks for expanding/clarifying. :)
I tend to agree with this, however, is there truly a sort of universal good or evil that exists outside of the perceptions of humans or other animals/aliens/spirits/etc? Or do you just sort of mean that in the intangible philosophical/mental sort of sense where it exists subjectively in the minds of sentient beings?
Hmmm.... Something to think about. Though, to me it seems like any being once they have seen themselves in a mirror or reflection will achieve self perception and many will be able to do it without even seeing themselves directly just by looking at their own body or how they move through existence based on willpower.
Word.
Yeah, it is what I think. In order for humans to perceive good, there must be something perceptible to what they give that name.
Maybe the ego is not only self-perception, but an idea that is formed in the heads of people who tell them who they are supposed to be. And that is formed, mainly through self-perception. Otherwise, we should admit that even animals have ego.