Deep Question- Philosophical

[Liberalynn]

Okay in the world of psycho therapy they tell you that people are not their actions or their thoughts, and that we shouldn't judge our value or lack there of on those things. That we have value beyond those two things.

I guess I don't understand what we are if we are not those two things, if anything, and I wonder what value is it that we are supposed to have beyond those two things?

I pretty much have the traditional religions answer on this down pat, having gone to Catholic school for nine years of my adolescence, so I'm looking for some opinions in a non-traditional religious context if possilbe? Maybe spirtual but just not the "we are all God's children, explanation. I've heard that and I still unfortunately don't feel too valuable, so am looking for other possible takes on this.

[Crazy Guggenheim]

1. Psychotherapy is a scam.

[Az]

4. A scan?

:rofl:

[Crazy Guggenheim]

5. Yes. A scam .......

[La Lioness Priyanka]

2. we are not any one single action/thought

[Az]

3. Interesting question

Value. It really depends on where you determine the value is derived from.

If you are waiting for value to be assigned to you externally .... well there are countless beliefs all extolling their own reasons for purpose and thus value. But without acceptance of these beliefs their conditions won't really have value to you.

I suspect that what the psycho babble you refer to is that you should not attempt to judge your value based on comparing your actions or thoughts to others. You should base your value of yourself on acceptance of your self. Not who you think you should be or are expected to be.

Value that you are.

[caty]

6. Could be because

our thoughts and actions are of more value when they combine with the same thoughts and actions of others. Strength in numbers. We are more effective when we are joined in union with others who think and have the same standards as we do. Being an individual is important, but we are more content and more effective when others have similar ideas. It is a strong need to belong that we can't escape no matter how independent we think we are.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. It's because we have value simply by the fact of our existence.

Doesn't matter our actions, thoughts, or beliefs. The fact that we exist gives us full value.

This is why we, in the old pre-Fuckstick McAWOL America, give rights to those accused of crimes; and also protect the rights of those who are found guilty of crimes.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal".

We may not all contribute equally to society - and sadly, 90% of humanity seems to contribute little of value to our human evolution - but we are all equally valuable.

[Angry Girl]

8. Value is a subjective term that depends strictly on the "valuer"

I mean, look at a little prick like Bush: He's of no value whatsoever to anybody on this planet, except oil men, large and corrupt corporations, a few neocons, and that bovine wife of his. Oh, yeah, and that disgustingly school-girl-gushy Harriet Miers. And those sloshed twin twits who are supposedly his offspring....

As for his value to himself? Well, it depends. Bush used to think he had value because "god loooooved him," but unfortunately his is a vengeful, racist, and petty god and right now it's no fun playing "prezdent." So his self-worth, or value, is probably not very high now.

On days when he can catch a buzz at his pretend-ranch while he gets a manicure (I'm being polite here!) from Harriet, his self-worth might be higher.

[caty]

9. Don't forget

it's "hard work" being prezdent.:evilgrin:

[crispini]

10. Well.

Here is the Buddhist answer. The nine levels of consiousness, which go to make up the "self."

The first five levels of consciousness are the five senses, and the sixth is the integration of those 5 senses. The seventh layer of consciousness is the "mano" consciousness, which is the collective unconsciousness of all human beings, which we are all a part of. The eight layer of consiousness is the ayala-consciousnessness, the karmic storehouse. This is where your karma is "stored" from life to life. The ninth consiousness is your Buddha nature. All humans have a Buddha nature.

I'm not sure that this makes a person any more "valuable" than any other person. Quite the contrary, actually. But are human beings supposed to have "value?" I'm not entirely sure if that is a prerequisite.