Suppose that the universe is actually set up in such a way that you don't necessarily get the best possible outcome for you.
OR
Suppose that the universe is actually set up in such a way that you necessarily get the best possible outcome for you.
AND suppose that (regardless of the above) you choose to believe that the universe is set up in such a way that you necessarily get the best possible outcome for you. Then:
1. Are there any downsides to such a choice?
2. And if so, what are they?
3. And if not, then ... are you going to make such a choice?
4. And if not, why?
1. You might be living in denial of reality if the former is actually true.
ReplyDelete2. This is generally a bad thing if you want to be honest with yourself.
Have you read Candide? Doesn't this approach really side with Leibniz's claim (mocked by Voltaire in Candide) that "this is the best of all possible worlds"?
1. yes
ReplyDelete2. it perpetuates injustice. (so can seem a fine choice for one whose life is pretty good. saves them having to worry about all that suffering out there.)
Byron,
ReplyDeleteYes--you nailed it re: Leibniz' claim. I don't see any good reason not believe that this is the best of all possible worlds. I shall have to track down Candide.
To me being honest with yourself is something altogether different than what I was talking about. There is no way to actually know if the former is true or if the latter is true. One simply has to choose what to believe.
Rachel,
ReplyDeleteHow does this choice perpetuate injustice?