Rationalizing: How do we know for sure that we aren't?

Arminus, to put it simply, self preservation preserves self just like self propulsion propels self (they don’t by default have an attribute of “meaningful”).

No, One Liner, you are wrong again.

If somebody (a strong “I” for example) threatens you with a gun, what are you going to do then? Wait. Let me guess: You are going to do nothing.

Self preservation occurs when the the self acts on its own, without outside help, to protect itself and it is a collection of various behaviours and biological responses that does not have the attribute of “meaningful”.

Self-preservation occurs with the first living being.

Weak and strong molecular bonds also occurs with the first living being (along with countless other phenomena that collectively sustain life).

That does not contradict the self-preservation. On the contrary: It emphasizes it.

So, a valid conclusion to draw is that strong and weak molecular bonds must be meaningful as they preserve life.

NOBODY said that (except you).

I said: “it emphasizes it” (source: viewtopic.php?f=15&t=171462&p=2622255#p2622238), and that does NOT mean that it (itself!) preserves it.

Again: Try to read correctly, One Liner.

So you are inferring that the words used in this context (“emphasising” and “meaningful”) are not deceptive rationalizations.

Where did I say that?

Arminus, look at the topic of this discussion.

Again: Where did I say that?

As I said Arminus, rationalization (positive or negative) is deceptive and it has been demonstrated to be so.

Yes, you said that, and you were wrong.

Rationalizing has another meaning too, and that is very different from your “interpretation” of it.

I think your reactions have provided at least some evidence that rationalisations (positive or negative) are deceptive.

It is just the other way around. Think, for example, of your reactions. :slight_smile:

I have Arminus and I don’t dispute that rationalisations (positive or negative) are deceptive and, in this way, I don’t feel or think that I am superior to you.

Some rationalisations are not deceptive, other rationalisations are deceptive. It depends on how they are used.

Rationalisations are deceptive for those who are deceptive, especially self-deceptive. You are a self-decptive "I“, so you have to think that others are deceptive and use rationalisation only for deception, But people are not equal. So there are people who are more deceptive than others. And there are some people who use rationalisation for deception and others who do not or at least seldom. But the main point is that rationalisation has a positive character as well, and this positive character is in conflict with the negative one - there is and will never be a "winner“. The current zeitgeist has influenced certain people (including you) so much, that this people think rationalisation would only be deceptive, but that is not true.

Arminus (spell-check autocorrected), at the moment you have not providided me with anything inspirational to suggest that you are correct on this matter and the self preservation is “meaningful” discussion only frustrated you (which implies deceptive rationilzations to me).

Be honest. You are not capable of spelling. Or is spelling also a negative rationalization for you? And - by the way - you used more than a one liner, One Liner, although you used one sentence (although one faked sentence - but do not worry, because you are not the super-faker in this forum).

That is nonsense.

You are the one who is frustrated - namely almost always, because rationalization is always negative to you. Always being frustrated is a very bad and very sad situation, One Liner. I am very sorry for you.

Unfortunately, you are just not capable of rationalizing in a positive way. I often said to you that you should try to understand that rationalizing is not always negative, because it is often positive. But you did not want to learn. That is sad too. So again: I am very sorry for you.

You are what is called a nihilist. I know that it is difficult today to not be a nihilist, but that does not automatically mean that nihilists are right. What makes this even more difficult for you is the fact that you are a pessimist in addition, thus a pessimistic nihilist. Not all nihilists are pessimists, but you are a pessimistic nihilist. I am so sorry for you.