False Premises

To the detriment of both civilization at large and our own well being, our underlying assumptions and overarching premises are often not well founded.  In fact, they are sometimes based on mere pie-in-the-sky / when-my-ship-comes-in / prince-on-a-white-horse fantasies, or – worse – on purposely misleading intentions.  In consequence, we liberally apply rationalizations and invoke elaborate excuses and explanations to exonerate ourselves.  What criminal feels justly accused? 

Sometimes we simply “don’t know any better”.  And sometimes we misread the tea leaves.  But sometimes we persist in pursuing paths to rack and ruin despite clear evidence of impending disastrous consequences.  Premises for such behavior may include postulations that: 1) one could get run over by a cement truck before the opportunity presents itself again; 2) it won’t hurt to do “just this once”; 3) I’ve “earned” it; 4) I might not get caught; 5) delayed ramification can be extended indefinitely; and/or 6) I can always “make up” any deficits over time.     

Not making it any easier, we live in a world of mixed messages – at best – with a bent toward narcissism.  And since our self-esteem guardians and guarantors tell us we’re “special”, we feel some level of indemnification – i.e., given that we exist on a different playing field from “all the rest” and, therefore, have “executive privilege” with immunity. 

Then there’s the “sleeping giant”.  Through Elysian beginnings of life we accumulate the seeds and adopt the blossoming expectation that life will simply continue to get better – even in spite of what we do.  The circumstantial evidence is compelling:  Usually, by age 1 we become strong enough to start walking.  By age 3/4, we get to go to pre-school; by age 5 kindergarten.  By age 15 – with a little luck and some compassionate teachers, we’ve had progressive passage through at least 9 grades of secondary education plus puberty; at age 16 we qualify for a driver’s license application; by age 18, we graduate high school with certification to vote and see all of our fantasies fulfilled.  By age 21, we’re declared independent with license to get legally smashed.  How much better can life get!?!  Oh, yeah, there’s marriage with all the unconditional love that goes with it.  And the magnificent house with the white picket fence that automatically follows.  Not to mention the dream job (like in “The Office”?), with all the perks. 

Or maybe not!  It’s a sobering, Defining Moment to find oneself broke, bankrupt, divorced and/or jobless by age 35 wondering “What happened?!?” or “Who Moved My Cheese?”   

Unfortunately, it turns out that too many realize too late in the going that some of the premises were flawed … and a good number of them patently untrue, unfounded, unwarranted and unworkable throughout.  (See also “Getting It”, December 9, 2011.)

“The adoption of false premises – either blindly or blatantly – cannot lead either to Truth or to Transcendence over a sorely befuddled and bereft human condition, the betterment of which requires proven principles and premises, together with disciplined management and molding, if we are to realize anything close to our magnificent potential.”    Quartermaster