The Delude

This writing is a study of philosophy that examines old ideas - from such areas as rationalism or metaphysics - placed in a contemporary context. It reflects on epistemic conditions in which knowledge is acquired. It is obvious that large amounts of falsehood, when regarded as truth, can induce heavy damage to anyone's intellect. Frequently, the topic of a faulty mental state generated by corrupt knowledge has been observed. The delude is an individual predisposed to accept as true...
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This writing is a study of philosophy that examines old ideas - from such areas as rationalism or metaphysics - placed in a contemporary context. It reflects on epistemic conditions in which knowledge is acquired. It is obvious that large amounts of falsehood, when regarded as truth, can induce heavy damage to anyone's intellect. Frequently, the topic of a faulty mental state generated by corrupt knowledge has been observed. The delude is an individual predisposed to accept as true large amounts of incoherent and false opinions. Understanding the complex conditions that induce a person to become a 'delude' is important; it is probable that these conditions will trigger a sad, miserable, and even an anti-social life.


The following are quotes from the text:

* The concept of the "delude" forwards the inference that man is not guaranteed rationality; man is merely capable of being rational.
* What typically the deluded fool says is not right or even wrong; it is downright stupid.
* At times, facts are in front of us; the blind can't see them, the deaf can't hear them, and the deluded fool can't believe them!
* Delude: an individual who regards his own mental fascinations as reality, and is predisposed to strongly dedicate his or her entire life to a single idea which can be useful or destructive to his or her own life.
* A generally accepted opinion is not, on that basis, guaranteed valid or a proof of its accuracy; equally, it is not proof of its falsity.

The writing was reviewed by KIRKUS REVIEWS and also has a stared review from the ForeWord REVIEWS:

* In many instances, Gondor's descriptions conjure a human image to the reader's mind-i.e., "Extremism," Gondor warns, "is a direct consequence of a highly deluded mind," and particularly in politics and religion, he says, the delude can be a dangerous, unsettling force. - KIRKUS REVIEWS.

* According to Gondor, deludes tend to be conservative in their beliefs and convinced that their opinions are irrevocably true, despite evidence to the contrary. - ForeWord REVIEWS.

* Gondor believes that this narrow view comes from ingrained prejudices and limited cognitive ability, and he asserts that deluded people lack the capacity to objectively consider opposing or multiple perspectives. Consequently, they cling to the positions they understand with single-minded determination and often become radical advocates of those opinions. For example, an avid environmentalist who argues adamantly for the preservation of old-growth forests but also drives a large gas-guzzling and polluting truck through those same woods would be considered a delude.
- ForeWord REVIEWS.