Subjective knowledge: the Swing of Rationale - Emotion

By: Shahab Sabahi, Policy Analyst in Energy Security and Policy Research Group

What is the nature of knowledge? How does the mind acquire knowledge?

In the sphere of policy design and the clash of objectivity-subjectivity, it has been always a crucial question to answer “What do we really know?”   

Formerly academia thought of what we call “natural science” an offshoot of Descartes division of the universe in matter and spirit, while it dealt only with the former. Therefore, the study of the mind and its affairs should either fall in the spirit category or; for the sake of remaining objective-oriented; should assume that they behave like classical objects, and possible quantum effects should be negligible.

The quantum theory, though, provides a ground to understand the development of knowledge; it is based on a series of complex mathematical formula which one may find it hard to follow and apply.

An alternative explanation, which is formulated upon the evolutionary theory, gives a preliminary picture to who may have a quest to crack the nut of the knowledge mystery.     

If we assume that a similar law of evolution is responsible for all living phenomena, from the creation of species to the immune system, and we admit that mind is one of them, and then a possible scenario emerges, which is compatible with the latest neurophysiological findings.

Thoughts are continuously and randomly generated, just like the immune system generates antibodies all the time without really knowing which ones will be useful. Thoughts survive for a while, giving rise to minds that compete for control of the brain. At each time, one mind prevails because it can better cope with the situation. Which mind prevails has an influence on which thoughts will be generated in the future. In practice, a mind is the mental equivalent of a phylogenetic thread (of a branch of the tree of life). We are conscious, by definition, only of the mind that is prevailing.

In ancient times the minds generated chaotically were simply yelled to the "rational" apparatus of the brain, which would act as the mediator with the environment: it would translate "illusions/visions" into actions. The result of actions into emotions, and emotions would either reinforce or weaken the mind in control. Emotions would select the mind.

This is more evident in children, who explore many unrelated thoughts in a few minutes: whatever the various minds produce. Later, the adult is better adjusted to select "minds" and does not need to try them all out. The adult has been "biased" by natural selection to recognize the "best" minds.

Society with the harmony of interests: free-man's desire

Shahab Sabahi
Energy and Environment for Development – Policy Analysis Research Group

My ideology, world perception and reality mismatched. My mindset, it had shaped since my childhood, misled my perception to reality. Ambiguity was high in my every action. Why do I receive vice in return to my earlier wise to people? Should not I be nice? Do societies treat me unjust?

It was a struggle rather a challenge. It took me decades to find fallacy deep in myself. I do not think it is late. The discovery of realities always is sweet and brings happiness.

With a proper understanding of one's interest, it can be seen that there is a harmony of interests between rational people. We benefit extremely from positive interactions with others. This benefit comes in the form of the abundance of wealth made possible by the notion of real capitalism and in the form of knowledge advancement for mankind. It comes in the form of friendships, romantic love, and reciprocal support of kinships. The harmonies of interests bring men together in peaceful cooperation to benefit their lives. This is the bedrock of society. This would be a society to live in.

Although the desires of men may be opposed, their interests are not. It leads to a peaceful society where brings vast benefit to its habitants. Any possible advantage gain from living outside of a peaceful society is insignificant compared to the loss. Living in a wilderness may bring one more peace and quiet, but it is at the expense of friendships and the enormous material wealth possible in a society.

The harmony of interests only exists between rational men. Irrational men tend to use force against the interests of others. Men's interests are only in harmony with peaceful, voluntary interactions. Only when men live by the mutual reciprocal value-based altruism principle, their interests meet and steadily grow. Only when men accept value-based trade like principle, their society thrives in peace and just.

Don't let your value down