Is the greatest problem with other people ourselves? The self-delusion epidemic.

Is the greatest problem with other people ourselves? The self-delusion epidemic.

In the early 1980s Benjamin Libet conducted a series of experiments where subject’s brains were monitored whilst they chose to initiate an action. It was concluded that the brain was initiating the action before the person became aware of “deciding” to do it. What this study challenged was the concept of ourself being all powerful within us. In guiding our behaviour the conscious self’s role is not quite what we thought it was. When we think about our conscious mind and the power it holds the role is overstated because it feels so powerful. To put it another way, the conscious mind is naturally deluded about its own nature.

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About Michael is Amazing

What does happiness mean to me?

Aside from being the title of a decent Amy MacDonald song (“What happiness means to me” – perhaps most notable for an excellent cover of “Dancing in the Dark” which follows on the same track) I do sometimes wonder what happiness means to me.

Happiness can come in short bursts, upon the completion of an act which brings it, or can be longer lasting, such as the happiness that comes from fulfilment. Some people call this second type of happiness “true happiness” although I would disagree with that to a point. We should take happiness in any place we can find it.

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