Paradigm Shift of the Social Conscience in Argument Against Confirmation Bias

Are we as logical, and as intelligent as we like to believe we are? Does the state of the world reflect that we are, or does it show us we are lacking in some other area? There was a time in our history when a great multitude of men and women put their minds to think and consider many fields. In today’s world however, it does not appear to be this way, and this is not the case of the majority.

It is understandable the youth of today must focus on their careers, and this leaves little time left for a study in other fields, this is only one harsh reality of modernism, still it’s not written in stone, that we must adhere to the strict rules of society if we are to succeed in life.

It, success, although measured in different ways, and can be defined using various terms, and mean something different to each individual, is a matter of preference and perception. Perception is what this article is about mostly, and how we perceive things can be a cause of any current paradigm. We have Thomas Kuhn to thank for supplying us with the word “paradigm”. Although Kuhn himself did not consider the concept of paradigm as appropriate for the social sciences, his statement is what psychologists use to justify confirmation bias. Regardless, people can and will benefit from something that presents itself as a radical and profound paradigm shift of the social conscience.

When I was a young man I used to think the world was a wonderful place, a paradise filled with color, splendor and spectacle. When I grew to become an adult and thrust into a world filled with indifference, selfishness and greed, my views changed drastically. Did my paradigm shift? I would have to say that it was a radical and profound paradigm shift.

With respect, this generation has been educated within the rote system of learning for over 100 years, and it is in part because of rote, many of today’s youth have a difficult time learning new things, and thinking for themselves? Many of them are lacking in lateral thought, and have problems with inference ability, and many are not very good at deductive reasoning. It is only recent the Universities are encouraging students to become interested and involved in trans-disciplinary study. I say, what about those whom have never attended University, and who is going to inform them of the benefits of becoming independent researchers? How is it going to be for these one’s to experience the benefits of autonomous research, and how are they going to realize their own personhood if they are stuck within the confines of a paradigm of selfishness, greed and indifference?

With each new generation, and with each new discovery, we need new terminology, and definition of terms to be available to the public, from which, all may benefit. If humanity is to grow as a whole, we need this now, and it can be supplied by this present younger generation of this period,

Would it not be up to the Governments of this world to encourage the autonomy of its citizenry, and to encourage its citizens to seek out new information so the communities in whole may progress and not just a select few? Regardless of my concern, or the concerns of those who feel the need to complain and argue the fact if we are going to grow the world needs new insights, people will always find new ways to express their views and make their points known. Whether or not a person holds a degree in this or that field, life is about all fields, and the people who are living these lives, will find new paradigms from which to support their ideals.

The Dark Secret About Social Change

The frustrating part is that social institutions resist healthy change as much as chronic diseases resist some antibiotics and medical treatment. There is something self-reinforcing about sickness, whether it is biological, social, mental, or emotional. Any form of illness apparently strives to maintain its own negative existence.

I believe we have the ability to reclaim control over our biology as well as our society. The key is to follow our internal voice of Truth–the Love-Light that embraces the Positive.

Fundamentally, healing or recovery is a process of learning and applying new skills to improve one’s own quality of life. The social environment influences our quality of life, so we must find a way to turn it around to our benefit. This will require that we become more involved in daily, social, and positive activities.

Much good and personal growth will result form engaging in political, social, or volunteer activities, which express our inner convictions and values. In other words, the more we heal ourselves, the more we need to share our discoveries with others who seek healing.

This process of giving away our understanding of recovery contributes to our own growth and development. Therefore, let us not just choose to only work on ourselves; let us choose to become involved in some significant social programs that will advance a healthier concept of society, culture, nation, and the world.

If we want a better life, we must take the steps necessary to improve our social maladies. So let’s turn to and explore the applications of treatment principles to social conditions and reform.

Keep in mind that the framework or process of facing social problems is more important than content at this time. My recommendations for social change may not be the same as your ideas for social change. However, if we look at the problem with the same focus (framework), we can have a standard of comparison to begin a productive dialogue.

The more we share constructive ideas to solve these problems, the closer we will come to agreeing on areas of common interest and mutual support. Positive social change, I believe, ultimately will occur when people who have transformed spiritually (accepted their inner Love-Light) exercise their leadership outside or inside old social institutions, and create better, kinder, and healthier social systems.

There are a variety of major social problems facing modern 21st century cultures and nations. These include: crime, unemployment, racism, substance abuse, fair taxation, health care, inflation, stable economic growth, political apathy, indebtedness, pollution, sexism, and poverty.

The list goes on and on: mental illness, housing, waste disposal, child abuse, divorce, step-parenting, education, public safety, birth control, welfare, suicide prevention, aging, child care, Social Security, retirement, prisons, political leadership, leisure time, abortion, the right to die, terrorism, violence, stem-cell research, alienation, immigration, and the “pursuit of happiness and justice for all.”

As a community, county, city, state, or nation, how are we dealing with these stressful and complex problems? The answer I suppose is through governmental systems, political parties, and the market economy. How do these social, political, and economic systems or organizations deal with human feelings and suffering?

The answer I believe is through the process of bureaucratization, which means human emotions are largely disregarded in favor of logic, rules, laws, policies, specializations, control, power, and influence.

Naturally society needs law and order to produce stability and protect the weak from the ruthless. However, since the industrial age began, I think there has been an over-emphasis on machines, technology, and bureaucracy, which reduce people to job slots and cost estimates on accountant flow sheets, rather than individual with feelings, hopes, and dreams.

Overall, technology, bureaucracy, and specialization of labor have made America the richest and most powerful nation in the history of humankind, but are we growing emotionally or declining psychologically?

Yes we have more material things than any other nation ever dreamed of, but we also
have more crime, pollution, substance abuse, welfare problems, more unemployment

more government regulations, more taxation, homelessness, and indebtedness, etc.

Can we actually continue to maintain our great standard of living for long if we fail to solve our serious social problems, and avoid facing our uncomfortable feelings about them? It’s time to build on our knowledge of emotional treatment services, and the social sciences to try new approaches to old cultural dysfunctions.

I am not suggesting we give up on our political system, but a system is only as good as the people who use it. I do suggest we attempt to humanize our social, political, and economic systems by listening to what people are feeling as much as what they are thinking.

We might begin this process by using System 49 as a framework to face our own feelings about the welfare problem and poverty in America. This is one place to start on a movement for a healthier nation and a healthier world.