“Hospital staff are overworked” they say

Absolutely! And you rock. You can often tell the thinkers from the feelers. It seems impossible to get a feeler to think. It's like thinking is a form of pain for them. Cheers!

There's not a damn thing wrong with that. I mean, clearly to others it's more about their actions than their inner processes, but the latter often motivates the former. The problem comes when one closes off to the district possibility that one's beliefs may not reflect reality. It's easy to get duped. One should be cynical and open to new beliefs simultaneously.

 

I'd say it is the cause of many problems in society.

It's not about inner processes vs. actions
It's that if you think your beliefs (and so actions, i am not seeing a distinction - as you say, the former motivates the latter) are what define you, then you're likely to be resistant to changing them, regardless of what new information arises. On a subconscious level, the person isn't defending the idea they have, they are defending the concept they have of themselves. So they easily latch onto what they want to believe.

I do not feel I am defined by my views or beliefs. Therefore when I debate them, I have no vested interest in being right. If I turn out to be wrong, and so alter what I think, I know that I am still me. Nothing about who I fundamentally am is lost.

 

So... what defines your self identity?

 

I'm still meditating on that. It's a pretty mind boggling question.

But considering I have different views and opinions than I did twenty years ago.. evolved tastes, different favourite colours.. it really cannot be any of those things.

 

Why would you guess that navigation programs have two views? (Bird's eye north up, and road in front)

 

I disagree. An unneccesary conclusion. That we change with our evolving beliefs, insights and preferences does not mean they don't make up an important part of our identity. Maybe even the biggest part (not 100% sure yet either, but seems like that to me)

 

yeah, well, that's what most people think.

And the problems it causes.. I've already said.

 

The problems are caused by the belief our identity is defined by our convictions, insights, preferences, etc?
Or simply by having an ego?

And is the sentence 'it really can't be any of those things' an objective conclusion or wishful thinking because it doesn't suit you (because its causing problems)? Seems to me it can be those things. Wether we like it or not.

 

In fact, I would have guessed you thought this. It's the exact feeling I get when debating you, and why I hate it.

There is literally NO point debating anything with someone who believes their opinions are their identity. Even if you are the "right" side, they cannot allow themselves to see this, because then.. who are they? They just lost their IDENTITY.
They aren't even really debating the subject, in the pursuit of truth.. they are defending their sense of self.

 

Why wouldn't it suit me? What problems is it causing? ....What?

I'm stating an obvious fact.. either my identity is a different person than the girl who called herself "me" fifteen years ago...
OR my identity is not created by the opinions and tastes I have.

 

You say that people self identify with their beliefs is causing problems. This is part of the reason you are considering our self identity could be defined by other things. But it could simply be the unfortunate case we are defined (for a large part) by our mindsets.

Seriously, why can't it be both? You are the same being as 15 years ago with an everchanging identity, an identity shaped/molded by your thoughts, actions, experiences, convictions and preferences.

 

I may find it likely our sense of self identify is shaped by our mindset, but I don't take it personally or as an attack on my being or identity when my ideas or convictions are critically challenged...

Yes, perhaps if that is the case. But there's a difference in meaning here. I'm talking about self identity being shaped by our opinions etc. I don't equate them with eachother. I thought you were too

 

Ah, I see what you mean.

An ever changing identity. That's, I guess, what I feel I am.
So my identity is defined by my ability to reevaluate, choose, think, change. NOT what the current choices are.

 

I have never seen you, in a debate, change an opinion you hold.

 

I still vividly remember my first 3 RTC's, number 1, a girl hit by a motorbike doing 140 mph in a 30 mph zone, fractures of both femurs, left and right tibia and fibula, skull, jaw, arms, multiple rib fractures and massive internal injuries. The biker lost a leg on scene and the other a few months later due to a blood clot, thankfully they both survived.
Number two, motorbike T boned a car at 70mph, multiple leg fractures, broken nose and severe facial injuries, bike buried in the car.
Number 3, again car versus motorbike, car pulled out of a junction, riders leg trapped by footpeg as he left the bike resulting in a rotational fracture dislocation of foot, (basically it was pointing backwards), fractured wrist and minor facial injuries.
A mate of mine sadly lost his life when he came around a bend and collided with a scarifier on a tractor ( a large bed of spikes), they had to peel him off!
I saw two small children hit by an express train, both bodies, or what was left in them ended up barely filling the bottom of a black bin bag!
All this btw was before I did my stint with the emergency services, you certainly need a bloody stiff drink afterwards, there was some really horrible stuff, but I won't go into it on a forum.
A lot of people don't have any idea, it seems however that you do, thankfully, it's what we call 'gallows humour' the sad bit is that people think it's fine to put some of the 'fun' on the internet, it should stay behind closed doors.

 

It's rare but it happens

 

Sometimes just holding someone's hand can make all the difference, not only to the victim, but also to their families, one of the most often asked questions is "was someone with him/her when they died", just knowing they were not alone helps the healing process.
I remember one time running towards an 'explosion', there was a lot of terrorist stuff going on at the time and my wife and I were visiting a market, suddenly there was a massive bang and people began screaming and running, I told my wife to stay where she was and I ran, but I ran in the direction people were running from!
It turned out not to be a bomb, but a car crashing into a lamp post, I made the vehicle safe and after assessing the two elderly occupants, removed them to the privacy of a nearby hairdressers, I ran towards it simply because everyone was running away, someone has to be there to make a difference. If ever you find yourself in an accident situation just remember this, comforting the injured is in a way as important as the first aid.

 

Yes. Everyone's identity is in flux. Seems obvious. The only way it doesn't seem obvious is when people are never challenged in their convictions or have to change routines. Then they can seem 'awfully' consistent or stagnant in their identity
I'm glad my self identity changed over time, together with (or perhaps thanks to) my insights, convictions, etc. I bet you're too (no offense intended at all )

 

I think you rock too! i feel you, and like you.

 

For me, it's Guinness.