“True wisdom comes to each of us when we realize how little we understand about life, ourselves, and the world around us.” - “To find yourself, think for yourself. ” - “One thing only I know, and that is that I know nothing.” Socrates. Socrates was a Greek philosopher who was around 400 years BC who wanted to establish an ethical system that was based on ‘human’ reason rather than the doctrine of that time. He believed that the greatest leaders are the ones who possess knowledge, virtue and an understanding of themselves. He also believed that the choices to achieve happiness could only be made when one truly knows themselves. I wonder what Socrates would say if he was alive today and what profession he may have found himself in? My money’s on neuroscience Neuroscience to me is the ideal blend of both knowledge and intuition. There is research now that supports intuition or ‘gut feelings’ and they are now recognised as playing a real part in our decision-making process. Emotions are all part of that process as well. Everything we have experienced, or experience goes through our own internal appraisal and information system. Research also suggests that the brain is very predictive, constantly comparing incoming information and experiences against previous memories and knowledge. Our brains are so clever as this ensures that we are as prepared as we can be to deal with whatever the current situation is. Research also tell us that intuitions occur when your brain has made a significant match OR mismatch between your cognitive understandings it’s just that this has not yet reached your conscious awareness yet. Or in other words that mismatch is sitting in your subconscious. When we have a lot of experience in particular areas then obviously the brain has more information to match the current experience against which makes your intuitions far more reliable. Intuition is like a muscle, the more we use it the better it becomes. Whilst this is all great for some, for a lot of folk that mismatching is so huge that they can’t deal with it and medical intervention may be required. Running right alongside medical intervention I believe, should be some practical steps to re-create or create new neural pathways which can over ride some of the existing knowledge. It’s simply not true that our thinking is set in concrete, no matter how deeply entrenched our belief patterns are, that sort of thinking goes against basic neuro science. It wasn’t too long ago when it was discovered that our brains have ‘plasticity’ which means we can create new neural pathways. This is how I got through my own depression when all else had failed me. Mental health in my opinion needs to sit in rehabilitation where people learn to re habit. The word speaks for itself. It’s not rocket science for this mere mortal who has no degree in psychiatry counselling nor neuro science except her own lived experience of creating healthier neural pathways which supports wellbeing and who is now able to pass that information on to those who wish to not only learn but to follow through with a plan of action. The only requirement is to have an open mind. We all deserve the best shot at life we can.
To seek to know thyself as Socrates said thousands of years ago could be the most fundamental gift we can give to ourselves and to others.
To seek to know thyself as Socrates said thousands of years ago could be the most fundamental gift we can give to ourselves and to others.
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