Astrologers' Words of Wisdom # 3
Words of Wisdom #3 consists of extracts from Thinking about Thinking by Jayj Jacobs. Since I first found this piece years ago, I go back to read it often. These are some of the wisest words I've found, and can be applied inside or outside astrology.Here are some of my current thoughts about thinking. I invite you all to think about where and how they apply to recent conversations, to astrology in general, to (western/global) society as a whole, and to life as a process.
Bad thinking is bad for astrology. Bad thinking, or not thinking, is bad for everyone.
If one accepts anything without question s/he is not thinking.
If the premise is not grounded in factual or experiential reality the conclusions are meaningless. That's the classic GIGO: Garbage In, Garbage Out. Jacobs' GOGI Corollary is: If Garbage came Out, then Garbage went In.
If the precognitive mindset is impervious to contradictory input one is not thinking. That's prior opinions blinding one to reality.
If one thinks they know everything, and have nothing to learn, relearn or unlearn, then they have stopped thinking.
Knowledge can be divided into what you know, what you know you don't know, what you don't know you don't know, and what you know that just ain't so...............
Anything said about opinions can be validly said about beliefs.
Opinions are not facts. Opinions about facts are not facts. Opinions are not experiences. Opinions about experiences are not experiences.
Opinions, if not grounded in facts or experiences, are prejudices. That makes them bigoted preconceptions. 'Pre-conceptions' come before thinking has occurred; holding to them means one is not thinking.
Opinions and preconceptions are below stereotypes in a cognitive hierarchy. Stereotypes are pretty low, (and dangerous), but at least they are based in a grain of truth, since blown out of proportion.
Everyone has a right to their opinion. Having an opinion, even having the right to an opinion, does not make the opinion right.
No one is qualified, by reasons of knowledge & experience, to form an opinion about everything. Everyone faces something about which they are not qualified to form an opinion. Some are not qualified to form an opinion about anything. That stops very few people from forming an opinion.
It is bad thinking to credit the opinions of jerks, students, amateurs, the minimally competent, or anyone else, in the face of a contrary declaration by a virtuoso or a master -- in that field. It is also bad thinking to assume that only recognized experts have valid insights.
Confidence is unrelated to correctness. Certainty is not the same as accuracy.
Words of Wisdom #3 consists of extracts from Thinking about Thinking by Jayj Jacobs. Since I first found this piece years ago, I go back to read it often. These are some of the wisest words I've found, and can be applied inside or outside astrology.
Thanks for this excellent reminder~ so timely in the midst of our current storm of irrational rhetoric!
ReplyDeleteAlways good advice. As a professional astrologer, I am often disturbed by the lack of depth of understanding when it comes to astrology, the world, and how transits form and influence the events and very texture of history.
ReplyDeleteThe age of political correctness, and reactionary opinions has certainly muddied the waters of Astrology as well through the last 20 years especially.
As Manly Hall once wrote concerning esoteric ethics which applies to Astrology -
"As power is given to man commensurate to his wisdom and understanding, it is not safe at the present time to reveal to the world at large the methods whereby entrance to the invisible world is possible.
"If this knowledge were given to selfish people unprepared for their responsibility, they would be able to destroy the universe, either through perversion or ignorance.
"In order to protect this sacred wisdom obstacles have been placed in the way of its attainment which only the sincere and courageous would be strong enough to overcome.
"Years of service, self-purification and self-mastery must be passed through before any candidate will be admitted to the path of wisdom."
There's a few good quotes among that lot.
ReplyDeleteVery profound, T. And worth reading many times, as you say.
ReplyDeleteI write this as I proudly sport a Tshirt given me by the grandgirl:
"What did you say? I have selective hearing."
H'm...
XO
WWW
daffodil1209 !! Hi! Glad you enjoyed it. Yes, though it's not new, it seems even more relevant now than when it was written. :-)
ReplyDeleteTheodore White ~~~ Hi there!
ReplyDeleteHmmm - I shall have to respectfully disagree with Manley Hall's elitist views, though that doesn't mean they're wrong.
Thanks for your input - it provides balance to my own.
:-)
RJ Adams ~~~ Yes, I thought so too. :-)
ReplyDeleteWWW ~~~~ Oh - nice one! LOL!
ReplyDeleteLoved his opinions and preconceptions - now that's a fact :-)
ReplyDeleteanthonynorth ~~~ Yep! It's all opinion. The only absolute fact is that the Sun will rise again tomorrow and set tonight - I think!
ReplyDelete