If you're up for a little more philosophy, there is actually an alternative viewpoint on this.
It was the considered opinion of Jean Paul Sartre that we shouldn't base any new decision on an old one. That learning from experience wasn't the best way of doing things, because your experiences are skewed by the fact that they are yours, and reflect other perceptions you already had.
The way he would like us to make decisions is to consider each one as a decision for everyone; that is to say, by doing something, we are giving permission to everyone else to do it, so we never do anything that we wouldn't want others to follow us in. Which isn't a bad way of examining our actions, all told.
I like the idea, in there, of not allowing the past to influence the future more than is completely necessary. But I also wouldn't be without my memories, even the really awful ones, because who knows how things might be if any of them hadn't happened to me? (This was another discussion I remember from VCE philosophy, actually...)
Good ol' Sartre. I can sympathise with his views on the authentic way of being. Leaning too much on experience can make you blind for new ways and ideas. There's also truth in that what we do might lead others to follow, good or bad. We are all role models.
Still, as you say, things have influenced us and even if we were to say that we'd not take memories into consideration, we'd probably be lying. We do, whether we are aware of it or not. If we didn't, all choices would be so terribly random. I'd not like that, I admit. ;-)
**raises hand nervously** Will there be a quiz? 'Cause I'll need more coffee and the study notes if so... lol It's far too early in the morning and I'm far too sober to discuss philosophy. My philosophy is that it's best to discuss such things in a little coffee house with the wind howling and snow pelting the window outside while I sit with good friends and a steaming mug of hot chocolate with Bailey's. Ah, philosophy...
Seriously, I wouldn't give up my memories, even the bad ones--they are what makes me me, and give me a wide range of experiences to draw on. That being said, I agree that we shouldn't base all future decisions solely on past experience. If we jumped off a roof once and didn't get hurt, that doesn't mean we won't get hurt the second time (taller roof, no pile of hay or snow or somesuch to fall in, etc). Ow, head hurting. Need more coffee. Is just after 6 a.m. here.
I agree that memories and experiences are what makes us, to some extent, even if science says that 90% of whay we are is DNA.
The roof example is a good illustration! It's even an experience to understand when you've been terribly lucky.
In my experience, it's good to rely on experiences in some cases and impulse in other cases. Even when I'm being impulsive, a small voice in my brain says "go ahead and have fun, you know it's good to give things a try", which comes from experience. I think many share that experience. ;-)
So, yeah. Early or late, a little philosophy can go a long way. ;-)
I think to properly learn from your past you need some negative emotions like regret, guilt, disappointment. I tend to avoid all those like the plague, so I probably don't learn much.
Memories are such odd things; some are as crisp as the day things happened, thirty years ago; yet from the worst three or four years in my life I have nothing at all left, just photographs.
Sometimes memories are what bind you; certainly to family, often to old friends. And when people die, memories are all that's left to keep them with you.
But some things are still there, the body will remember even if the mind will refuse. You've somehow gained the experience that dwelling on regret and guilt is no good, and that's a lesson learned as well.
Yes, it's hard to be young! Reading stuff from back then makes me sad too! You know what: I get the impression that the older we get, the more we remember from our youth; especially the good things. So in essence, I think you did right. :-) It's up to everyone to decide, of course.
Not to mention how easy it is to save photos now! I love living in this age when all those goodies can be stored on a hard drive. ;-) Good photos are always an exception, I feel. Especially old ones, if you know who the people are.
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It was the considered opinion of Jean Paul Sartre that we shouldn't base any new decision on an old one. That learning from experience wasn't the best way of doing things, because your experiences are skewed by the fact that they are yours, and reflect other perceptions you already had.
The way he would like us to make decisions is to consider each one as a decision for everyone; that is to say, by doing something, we are giving permission to everyone else to do it, so we never do anything that we wouldn't want others to follow us in. Which isn't a bad way of examining our actions, all told.
I like the idea, in there, of not allowing the past to influence the future more than is completely necessary. But I also wouldn't be without my memories, even the really awful ones, because who knows how things might be if any of them hadn't happened to me? (This was another discussion I remember from VCE philosophy, actually...)
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Still, as you say, things have influenced us and even if we were to say that we'd not take memories into consideration, we'd probably be lying. We do, whether we are aware of it or not. If we didn't, all choices would be so terribly random. I'd not like that, I admit. ;-)
Reply
Seriously, I wouldn't give up my memories, even the bad ones--they are what makes me me, and give me a wide range of experiences to draw on. That being said, I agree that we shouldn't base all future decisions solely on past experience. If we jumped off a roof once and didn't get hurt, that doesn't mean we won't get hurt the second time (taller roof, no pile of hay or snow or somesuch to fall in, etc). Ow, head hurting. Need more coffee. Is just after 6 a.m. here.
Reply
I agree that memories and experiences are what makes us, to some extent, even if science says that 90% of whay we are is DNA.
The roof example is a good illustration! It's even an experience to understand when you've been terribly lucky.
In my experience, it's good to rely on experiences in some cases and impulse in other cases. Even when I'm being impulsive, a small voice in my brain says "go ahead and have fun, you know it's good to give things a try", which comes from experience. I think many share that experience. ;-)
So, yeah. Early or late, a little philosophy can go a long way. ;-)
Reply
Memories are such odd things; some are as crisp as the day things happened, thirty years ago; yet from the worst three or four years in my life I have nothing at all left, just photographs.
Sometimes memories are what bind you; certainly to family, often to old friends. And when people die, memories are all that's left to keep them with you.
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The mind is indeed amazing.
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