POLITICS

THE ADVERSE EFFECTS OF IDEOLOGICAL THINKING:


Eppur Si muove,Forced to deny the truth of sun being the centre of the solar system during inquisition in 1633,Galileo is said to have muttered under his breath ‘but the earth moves’


Since human beings formed prehistoric groups ,they have solved to a large extent the problem of hunger and violence by suitably organizing themselves. However philosophical thinking or what I would call ideological thinking with its adverse effects has always led to conflicts and misery. Maybe it’s time to solve the same.

   In tribal society tribal religion was exclusive to the tribe  It was followed by civil society where now organized religion served as ideology for their followers. In modern industrial society there is a clash between socialist/communist ideology and neoliberal/ capitalist ideology. Ideological and religious wars have resulted in misery and suffering for mankind since ages.




    Ideology and religion allows human mind an easy route to solving problems. Those facts in support are assimilated while discordant facts are rejected. 

 Opposing ideologies have some good and some bad points. One must train his/her mind to see the good and bad in all ideologies.It applies to politics most where political leaders and parties are followed fanatically. Surprisingly a similar thing even happens in natural science. Ardent scientists in some cases are fixed to their theories. The academia also supports one or other theory fanatically.

  Why the human mind is vulnerable to ideological fixation ?/The answer probably lies  in how thinking evolves and knowledge is created in individual brain. Past knowledge is the basis on which present knowledge is interpreted. We can call it path dependence.An analogous phenomena  occurs in biological evolution. An embryo is modified by mutation/recombination over geological deep time.

   Maybe to benefit society ,flexibility in learning has to be inculcated from childhood.Education must emphasize the need to take 360degree views of all contentious issues. For adults the only way is to adopt the good points of all ideology in their political and social interactions.


Ack:The picture is taken from google photos. Books containing views similar to above post Ideological fixation,Intellectual morons,Ideology and social order,A conflict of visions

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