A Contribution from Richard (Wally) Wallington |
| I am very much of the nurture school of philosophy and hold that the only
acceptable definition of truth is what an individual is able and prepared
to believe. At birth, the brain is a complex electro-chemical computer in
an early stage of development due to species reproduction strategy which
requires the installation of programmes, the acquisition of which happens
automatically during the first seven years or so from the lifestyle of the
upbringing group.
Language, religion, tribal identity and principles that an individual receives during this initial upbringing becomes the one truth even if intellectually stupid or radically anti-social and will always dominate that personality. This programming is permanent and is the reference point for all other information received during the lifespan. The immature brain can only assimilate information it receives, and this depends on the culture of the prevailing society. Logical truth is likely to be disregarded when in conflict with base programming, particularly at times of stress An infant brought up without human contact would not become a human being, language, thought principles etc are not inherited, they are installed. After puberty the acquisition of social skills and basic education is very difficult. Limited and violent upbringing produces limited and violent citizens. What are the origins of the human species? When did religion become established and why? At what time did Homo sapiens become human? What is the real history of Christianity and the other major beliefs? Answers are, of course, readily obtainable. The attitude of the Christian dominated education scene is that such facts should not become generally known! What are the effects of living in today's world bearing in mind we are in fact specialised nomadic hunter-gatherers designed to live in co-operative family/tribal groups who have spent millions of years evolving to this end. We are not workers dominated by peevish boss figures any more than a gorilla is suited to a cage in the zoo. Hence the tensions and pressures that make many peoples lives intolerable. Christianity's "made in the likeness of god" hogwash still dominates state education and we are producing generations of anti social young people because we are unable to educate and compensate relative to our true nature and origins. (The damage done by many aspects of violent computer games and similar at three or four years is incalculable). One of our major problems is the very strong reaction to oppression in all its forms. Most people in a high debt culture like ours are totally vulnerable as they are unable to defend themselves against tyrannical employers through fear of job loss. Mental and social breakdown is now commonplace, the debt situation made desperate by dependence on alcohol and drugs used to combat stress. The only way to exist satisfactorily in a society and to contribute to the quality of life of that society is to fully understand the nature of the human species and of that society. My lifelong interests are therefore relevant items of geology, palaeontology, archaeology, and some knowledge of religious history and philosophy thrown in. As my family would have it, I am a boring, self-opinionated old fart. I would also call myself a Humanist!
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