What happens when we get stuck in our own perceptions? Drawing from philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer's profound observation that judgment is easy but true comprehension is challenging, this episode dives deep into the pitfalls of one-sided thinking and our tendency to rush to conclusions without understanding.
We explore the critical difference between superficial judgment and genuine comprehension, examining how we often form opinions without context, dismiss those with different beliefs, and create unnecessary division. This isn't just philosophical musing—it's a practical examination of how our mental shortcuts and biases affect our relationships, our society, and our inner peace.
True maturity emerges when we can hold paradoxes: forming judgments while acknowledging the limitations of our understanding. Like scientists disproving the null hypothesis, we grow by challenging our assumptions rather than confirming them. This intellectual humility—the willingness to admit we don't have all the answers—creates space for deeper connection and personal growth.
Ready for a consciousness shift that might help you get out of your own way? Listen now to discover how embracing the "gray zone" between polarized thinking can transform not just your perspective but potentially the world around you. Challenge your assumptions, seek to disprove your biases, and listen to perspectives that shake your worldview—because the path to wisdom begins when we come out of hiding.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
To judge a thing of substance and solid worth is
quite easy To comprehend.
It is much harder, and to blendthat judgment and comprehension
in a definitive description isthe hardest thing of all.
Now, this profound observationcomes from the German
(00:25):
philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
Now, today's episode.
We're going to descend intothis quote, as I believe if we
truly explore the depths of hiswords and we challenge our own
views, we can observe our ownbiases and we can see our own
perceptions of knowledge andwisdom.
Welcome back to man Uncaved.
(00:47):
In this episode, I'd like todive into where we may be hiding
in our own perceptions.
More specifically, hiding inour own tendencies to critique,
judge or, worse, harm another,as well as harm ourselves, when
we cease to become aware of ourown limitations, our own beliefs
(01:08):
and our own humanity.
And my hope is that we can takea step back.
We can catch ourselves stuck ina one-sided view which is,
let's be honest, usually our own.
To see a wider lens, we see it,we feel it, the hard polarity
sweeping the globe.
However, my truest hope is thatwe cannot just see it, but we
(01:33):
learn to comprehend it, but,more importantly, that we start
to become responsible for ourown behaviors, to make the
change we truly seek.
Schopenhauer, known for hispessimistic yet insightful views
on the human condition, ishighlighting a critical
distinction between judgment andcomprehension.
(01:54):
We often rush to judge, tocategorize, to label.
It's a natural human tendency.
It's a shortcut our minds taketo navigate a complex world.
But, as Schopenhauer points out, judgment alone is superficial.
It's actually quite easy to sayit's good or bad, right or
(02:17):
wrong, without trulyunderstanding the object of our
judgment.
Now think about it.
We see a news headline andinstantly form an opinion, often
without reading the article.
We encounter someone with adifferent belief system and
dismiss them as arrogant ormisguided.
(02:37):
We can judge a piece of artbased on its aesthetic appeal
without considering the artist'sintent or actually the
historical content of the piece.
I think it's equally important,working with individuals
especially, that we don't justsee the frame of this individual
.
We have to understand there aresequence of events that is
(03:01):
leading this individual orourselves to the decisions that
we're making, the behaviors thatwe're making, the beliefs that
we're making.
So stepping back is crucial inthe healing of our own self and
the healing of the planet.
(03:22):
Comprehension, on the other hand, requires an effort.
It demands that we delve deeper, that we ask questions, that we
seek to understand theunderlying complexities.
It requires us to step outsideof our own biases and
perspectives to see the worldthrough another's eyes.
(03:44):
It's not about agreeing ordisagreeing, and I think this is
where we can tend to get stuck.
Is we feel like it's a right orwrong?
When we tend to live in a rightor wrong, it's ethnocentric.
We are making ourselvessuperior in some ways that we
have the answers Already in.
That is a limitation, it is abias.
(04:07):
It is a fine space that no oneelse can live in because we have
all the answers.
Now Schopenhauer takes it a stepfurther.
He argues that the hardestthing of all is to blend that
judgment and comprehension in adefinitive description.
Now, this is the alchemy ofwisdom the ability to hold both
(04:31):
perspectives simultaneously.
It's about recognizing thevalidity of our own judgments
while acknowledging thelimitations of our own
understanding.
This is actually what I believeis true maturity is these
abilities to again hold thesetwo simultaneous things that
might be on polar opposite sides, to see our humanity within
(04:55):
that, to see our limitations inthat and yet stay in the gray
zone.
So why is it so difficult?
Actually, because it requiresus to hold paradoxes to embrace
ambiguity.
See it actually.
It challenges our need forcertainty, our desires for
(05:15):
simple answers.
It demands intellectualhumility, the willingness to
admit that we don't knoweverything, the willingness to
admit that we don't knoweverything.
Paradoxes are difficult for ourminds to comprehend because
they fundamentally challenge thelogical framework that we rely
on daily to understand the world.
(05:36):
It allows us to move beyondsimplistic black or white
thinking to embrace the grayareas of life.
It fosters empathy, compassionand a deeper understanding of
(06:00):
ourselves and others.
When we judge withoutcomprehension, we actually build
walls, we hide, we createdivision, we perpetrate
misunderstandings.
But when we strive tounderstand, when we seek to
comprehend, we actually buildbridges, we actually can foster
(06:22):
connection, we create a morecompassionate and just world.
This ability to hold bothjudgment and comprehension is,
again, truly a sign of maturity.
It means that we're able to seethe world in all of its
complexities.
We're able to form opinions andstill understand that there is
(06:45):
more to the story.
We are able to disagree andstill see the humanity in others
.
And so, as we conclude, intoday's exploration of
understanding and judgment,let's reflect on the scientific
(07:09):
method, a powerful tool fornavigating the complexities of
our own world.
At its core, the scientificmethod emphasizes proving the
null hypothesis, essentiallydisproving the idea that there's
no effect or relationship.
Now, this approach, whileseemingly counterintuitive, is
(07:29):
profoundly insightful.
By focusing on disproving ourassumptions, we embrace
uncertainty and cultivate aspirit of rigorous inquiry.
We acknowledge that our initialhypothesis might be flawed and
that true knowledge emerges froma process of continuous
(07:50):
refinement.
Now, this principle mirrors thebroader themes we've discussed
today.
Just as the scientific methodthrives on challenging its own
assumptions, so too must wechallenge our own biases and
perspectives.
By actively seeking to disproveour own beliefs, we open
(08:10):
ourselves to new possibilitiesand accelerate the pace of
discovery.
Whether you're doing that on anindividual level or you're also
doing that on a global level,it is important that we
challenge these things.
I like to say we're scientistsof self university of life.
Can we analyze this data withhonest eyes is the question of
(08:35):
time.
Now, proving the nullhypothesis allows for more
studies, more advancements andmore change, because it forces
us to become more critical ofthe evidence we have.
It requires us to have moredata and to look for the most
minute of details.
Now, this is the same for ourown biases.
(08:58):
If we are to grow, we have tolook at the details and prove to
ourselves that our biases areincorrect.
Now, this commitment tointellectual humility, this
willingness to embraceuncertainty, is essential for
personal growth and societalprogress.
It's the engine of scientificadvancements, the foundation of
(09:22):
meaningful dialogue and the keyto build a more just and
compassionate world.
So I challenge you to reflect onyour own judgments.
Are you rushing to conclusions?
Are you willing to delve deeper, to seek comprehension?
Are you capable of holding bothjudgment and comprehension in a
(09:45):
definitive description?
And so to leave us tonight.
I just wanted to bring inanother quote.
As Gandhi so eloquently put itBe the change you wish to see in
the world.
Put it Be the change you wishto see in the world.
See, we cannot expect the worldto transform if we are
unwilling to transform ourselves.
(10:05):
Begin by challenging your ownassumptions.
Seek to disprove your ownbiases.
Listen to perspectives thatchallenge your own.
This is how we cultivate trueunderstanding, build bridges of
empathy and create a world whereknowledge and compassion
prevail.
Remember, the path to wisdom isnot about having all the
(10:28):
answers, but about asking theright questions, and the first
step is to recognize thelimitations of our own judgments
.
I hope this episode wasinsightful.
I hope it causes a consciousshock to open up a little space
of light, but we may be able toget out of our own way.
(10:50):
Allow others to come in withtheir own beliefs, their own
understandings, theirlimitations just like I have my
own beliefs, their ownunderstandings, their
limitations.
Just like I have my ownlimitations so that we can
hopefully create a better worldfor ourselves and for others.
I am Shane and this is manUncaved.
We need to come out of hiding.
To judge a thing of substance and solid worth is
quite easy To comprehend.
It is much harder, and to blendthat judgment and comprehension
in a definitive description isthe hardest thing of all.
Now, this profound observationcomes from the German
(00:25):
philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer.
Now, today's episode.
We're going to descend intothis quote, as I believe if we
truly explore the depths of hiswords and we challenge our own
views, we can observe our ownbiases and we can see our own
perceptions of knowledge andwisdom.
Welcome back to man Uncaved.
(00:47):
In this episode, I'd like todive into where we may be hiding
in our own perceptions.
More specifically, hiding inour own tendencies to critique,
judge or, worse, harm another,as well as harm ourselves, when
we cease to become aware of ourown limitations, our own beliefs
(01:08):
and our own humanity.
And my hope is that we can takea step back.
We can catch ourselves stuck ina one-sided view which is,
let's be honest, usually our own.
To see a wider lens, we see it,we feel it, the hard polarity
sweeping the globe.
However, my truest hope is thatwe cannot just see it, but we
(01:33):
learn to comprehend it, but,more importantly, that we start
to become responsible for ourown behaviors, to make the
change we truly seek.
Schopenhauer, known for hispessimistic yet insightful views
on the human condition, ishighlighting a critical
distinction between judgment andcomprehension.
(01:54):
We often rush to judge, tocategorize, to label.
It's a natural human tendency.
It's a shortcut our minds taketo navigate a complex world.
But, as Schopenhauer points out, judgment alone is superficial.
It's actually quite easy to sayit's good or bad, right or
(02:17):
wrong, without trulyunderstanding the object of our
judgment.
Now think about it.
We see a news headline andinstantly form an opinion, often
without reading the article.
We encounter someone with adifferent belief system and
dismiss them as arrogant ormisguided.
(02:37):
We can judge a piece of artbased on its aesthetic appeal
without considering the artist'sintent or actually the
historical content of the piece.
I think it's equally important,working with individuals
especially, that we don't justsee the frame of this individual
.
We have to understand there aresequence of events that is
(03:01):
leading this individual orourselves to the decisions that
we're making, the behaviors thatwe're making, the beliefs that
we're making.
So stepping back is crucial inthe healing of our own self and
the healing of the planet.
(03:22):
Comprehension, on the other hand, requires an effort.
It demands that we delve deeper, that we ask questions, that we
seek to understand theunderlying complexities.
It requires us to step outsideof our own biases and
perspectives to see the worldthrough another's eyes.
(03:44):
It's not about agreeing ordisagreeing, and I think this is
where we can tend to get stuck.
Is we feel like it's a right orwrong?
When we tend to live in a rightor wrong, it's ethnocentric.
We are making ourselvessuperior in some ways that we
have the answers Already in.
That is a limitation, it is abias.
(04:07):
It is a fine space that no oneelse can live in because we have
all the answers.
Now Schopenhauer takes it a stepfurther.
He argues that the hardestthing of all is to blend that
judgment and comprehension in adefinitive description.
Now, this is the alchemy ofwisdom the ability to hold both
(04:31):
perspectives simultaneously.
It's about recognizing thevalidity of our own judgments
while acknowledging thelimitations of our own
understanding.
This is actually what I believeis true maturity is these
abilities to again hold thesetwo simultaneous things that
might be on polar opposite sides, to see our humanity within
(04:55):
that, to see our limitations inthat and yet stay in the gray
zone.
So why is it so difficult?
Actually, because it requiresus to hold paradoxes to embrace
ambiguity.
See it actually.
It challenges our need forcertainty, our desires for
(05:15):
simple answers.
It demands intellectualhumility, the willingness to
admit that we don't knoweverything, the willingness to
admit that we don't knoweverything.
Paradoxes are difficult for ourminds to comprehend because
they fundamentally challenge thelogical framework that we rely
on daily to understand the world.
(05:36):
It allows us to move beyondsimplistic black or white
thinking to embrace the grayareas of life.
It fosters empathy, compassionand a deeper understanding of
(06:00):
ourselves and others.
When we judge withoutcomprehension, we actually build
walls, we hide, we createdivision, we perpetrate
misunderstandings.
But when we strive tounderstand, when we seek to
comprehend, we actually buildbridges, we actually can foster
(06:22):
connection, we create a morecompassionate and just world.
This ability to hold bothjudgment and comprehension is,
again, truly a sign of maturity.
It means that we're able to seethe world in all of its
complexities.
We're able to form opinions andstill understand that there is
(06:45):
more to the story.
We are able to disagree andstill see the humanity in others
.
And so, as we conclude, intoday's exploration of
understanding and judgment,let's reflect on the scientific
(07:09):
method, a powerful tool fornavigating the complexities of
our own world.
At its core, the scientificmethod emphasizes proving the
null hypothesis, essentiallydisproving the idea that there's
no effect or relationship.
Now, this approach, whileseemingly counterintuitive, is
(07:29):
profoundly insightful.
By focusing on disproving ourassumptions, we embrace
uncertainty and cultivate aspirit of rigorous inquiry.
We acknowledge that our initialhypothesis might be flawed and
that true knowledge emerges froma process of continuous
(07:50):
refinement.
Now, this principle mirrors thebroader themes we've discussed
today.
Just as the scientific methodthrives on challenging its own
assumptions, so too must wechallenge our own biases and
perspectives.
By actively seeking to disproveour own beliefs, we open
(08:10):
ourselves to new possibilitiesand accelerate the pace of
discovery.
Whether you're doing that on anindividual level or you're also
doing that on a global level,it is important that we
challenge these things.
I like to say we're scientistsof self university of life.
Can we analyze this data withhonest eyes is the question of
(08:35):
time.
Now, proving the nullhypothesis allows for more
studies, more advancements andmore change, because it forces
us to become more critical ofthe evidence we have.
It requires us to have moredata and to look for the most
minute of details.
Now, this is the same for ourown biases.
(08:58):
If we are to grow, we have tolook at the details and prove to
ourselves that our biases areincorrect.
Now, this commitment tointellectual humility, this
willingness to embraceuncertainty, is essential for
personal growth and societalprogress.
It's the engine of scientificadvancements, the foundation of
(09:22):
meaningful dialogue and the keyto build a more just and
compassionate world.
So I challenge you to reflect onyour own judgments.
Are you rushing to conclusions?
Are you willing to delve deeper, to seek comprehension?
Are you capable of holding bothjudgment and comprehension in a
(09:45):
definitive description?
And so to leave us tonight.
I just wanted to bring inanother quote.
As Gandhi so eloquently put itBe the change you wish to see in
the world.
Put it Be the change you wishto see in the world.
See, we cannot expect the worldto transform if we are
unwilling to transform ourselves.
(10:05):
Begin by challenging your ownassumptions.
Seek to disprove your ownbiases.
Listen to perspectives thatchallenge your own.
This is how we cultivate trueunderstanding, build bridges of
empathy and create a world whereknowledge and compassion
prevail.
Remember, the path to wisdom isnot about having all the
(10:28):
answers, but about asking theright questions, and the first
step is to recognize thelimitations of our own judgments
.
I hope this episode wasinsightful.
I hope it causes a consciousshock to open up a little space
of light, but we may be able toget out of our own way.
(10:50):
Allow others to come in withtheir own beliefs, their own
understandings, theirlimitations just like I have my
own beliefs, their ownunderstandings, their
limitations.
Just like I have my ownlimitations so that we can
hopefully create a better worldfor ourselves and for others.
I am Shane and this is manUncaved.
We need to come out of hiding.
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