If I understand science correctly, neuroplasticity, drugs and CBT mean that anything about your mind and behavior can be changed.If I understand science correctly, every aspect of your body can be changed via stuff like diet, exercise, gene therapy, and drugs. If I do not understand science correctly, please correct me. If my understanding of science is correct however...Is there such a thing as a true self? Something that is common across all the different variations of yourself? TLDR: Based off my understanding of science it appears that every aspect of you is mutable. If this is factually correct, is there such a thing as 'you' or 'true self' according to science?
>>17016307Define "true self."
>>17016307For context, I've been trying to figure out how we know our desires are real. Like I have a really easy and comfortable life, but recently I've been getting all sorts of crazy ideas of stuff to do, like joining the military or starting a business or something like that. Do I actually want to do those things, or do I just think I want to do those things because I'm bored or ungrateful for my current life? Or am I just retarded? Or all three?
>>17016309I guess the best way to define it would be something something like, 'essence' or 'soul' except actually real. (Even if it's just something in our minds.)If I understand science correctly, we could all the stuff I listed (drugs, neuroplasticity, gene therapy, etc...) to make me 100% the same as somebody else. But even if me and the the person would be psychologically and biologically the same, certainly we'd have to have some fundamental difference, right?
>>17016307there is no true self, only an imprint made of language.https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ULHkNLveXZs&ra=m
>>17016307There must be a sublevel of yourself not originating from here. One example I could see myself in the next life and I was still dissing humanity and had the same attitude as now. It stems from my past in other places.
>>17016325How does one go about locating and connecting with the sublevel?
>>17016307Anything except mouth breathing can be taken from you. The true self is mouth breathing.
>>17016310That's a different question entirely. You want whatever you want. That much you can empirically verify by asking yourself what you want.The more important question is whether you've thought through the real-life consequences of the things you want. Spend less time introspecting and more time learning about/engaging with those things. Maybe you'll find something you really do like. Just don't rush into a major commitment unless you're absolutely certain.>>17016313This is more philosophical than scientific. "Science" has nothing to say about this sort of thing.Even if we take the premise at face value that completely replacing every cell in your body with exact copies of someone else would make you that other person, it runs into a Ship of Thesius problem.It's probably best not to think about it too much unless you reckon someone's gonna buy your book on the matter.
>>17016310I'd think the problem is thinking in terms of some "desire" as opposed to mere emotional processes. It's not my desire to be chopping old people into meat cubes, but when some meanderthal blocks my way I have a dream. I can avoid public places to avoid having the dream. Surely you know what it's like to get interested in new things and whatever – not static. You need to think in terms of external reality.
>>17016329Good points, thank you.
>>17016310As an example, I find debating politics with Americans pointless because their brains have been so inflamed by the enemy bots and the general poor conditions that they only have the insult reply available. Were they European welfare kings, they'd have lots of speech and INT checks available. It's the emotions and moods that build these people and their delusions about what is desirable. When the poor American becomes rich enough to not have to work all the time, he realizes money is not worth bragging about and cars aren't cool.
>>17016340Interesting...how do I see through the illusions then? How do I transcend my moods and delusions and become an objective thinker?
>>17016342If you're American, I don't know if you can. It seems to me everyone from the states complains about working 18 hours a day at McDonald's or something. I couldn't do much more than cope and seethe online at that point. I would try to seek refuge in Europe.
>>17016342But one thing I can say is that if one secures wealth, they need to remind themselves that whatever made their wealth binds them no more. They can just take a break and begin again with some longer-term plan.
>>17016342It's tough to be a spectator when life forces you to play some pre-chosen game. Once you can turn from the brainfoggy republican into a privileged liberal, you choose being that intellectual like you were born with a silver spoon in hand. That way you can educate yourself in physics, chemistry, computing, asymmetric warfare, drones, the science of farming – whatever bs that could potentially prove useful in the future. At some point of wealth the only bonus you get is an invite to Epstein island.
