6/26/14
The vast majority of humanity see themselves as basically "good". We think we perceive things as they really are and that we are the "good guys (or girls)" in the story.
But what if we're actually not?
Adolph Hitler didn't think to himself, "I am going to be the most despicable person in human history." He thought of himself as a savior and a patriot. Stalin too. These are of course, extreme examples, but the basic idea applies to the the point being made.
Many of us commit little "evils" throughout our lives. But we justify them in one way or another because we feel that deep down we're really "good", so anything we could do isn't really all that bad.
But when viewed objectively, these self justifications (or rationalizations) are utterly absurd and insidiously delusional.
We human beings are a conceited and arrogant species. We declare ourselves to be the height of evolution, and proceed to exploit every other living thing on the planet (including each other). We create a god in our own image that only allows us into heaven (if we belong to the right religion and/or country). This god conveniently forgives all of our sins. Any real "evil" in the world is blamed on someone else, or a guy in a red leisure suit who carries a pitchfork. It certainly couldn't be our fault.
If there indeed is a god, she/he/it is probably more like a Black Lab than a human being. I've never met a Black Lab that was anything but delightful.
What i'm getting at is, what if you aren't as funny, smart, cute, wonderful and "good" as you think you are? What if you've been subjectively deluded all this time? What if, when examined objectively, you're really not that "good" after all?
I know about this kind of jarring self realization because... i'm a jerk.
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