Is there any deception as dangerous as self-deception?

Answer 1

In my experience, No, there is no deception as dangerous as self-deception. With all other deceptions, we succumb with respect to our lack of pertinent information; however, we are not without the ability to see beyond the illusion once supplied all the facts.

Contrarily, with self-deception—despite possessing all the vital information to see the ‘truth’—we fail in our ability to do so. Such degeneration occurs as our reality is gradually altered...one fabrication at a time. In attempt to save face...new, incoming data is utilized—not to conquer the fallacy—but to feed it, support it and foster its web mirage.

I can’t think of much worse than looking at the world all along only to discover that, at best, I had been seeing it through a set of dirty, old, lace curtains that obscured my view—except not knowing that tidbit of course.

Answer 2

Yes, many deceptions by others lead to immediate and bad, if not dire, consequences like theft, assault, rape, or murder.

In general others deceive you for negative reasons - to manipulate or take advantage of you in one way or another (though there are plenty of exceptions). Once deceived you may place yourself in a situation where the other person has control over you and one which you have no power to extricate yourself from.

In general you deceive yourself for positive (to you) reasons. Certainly the outcome can be be bad, or your self-deceptions can lead to you being manipulated by others, but most often you retain control over your direction and choices. Sometimes a self-delusion can bring you great rewards - others may see a strong self confidence and, not knowing it's undeserved, reward you by their faith and actions. Also, you can usually change and correct your choices and, as you learn and grow as a person, you'll come to find it more difficult to be dishonest with yourself.

Answer 3

The only thing more dangerous that I can think if is that which comes from Satan himself, but then again self-deception is his favorite weapon to use against us...

Answer 4

Self-deception is a double edged sword and is a complex issue likely beyond the remits of Yahoo Answers.

Solace from constant threats, real and perceived, is sought in preserving identity of self, even if ever so temporarily. It is one of life’s survival mechanisms when in isolation.

With reinforcing facts and half-truths that evolves from a detachment of the subject matter viewed with initial clarity, it is eventually accepted by the instigators and proclaimed as factual, which in turn forms the group of persons so affected by it.

Successful prolonged exposure may lead to living half-truths, no matter how coloured, with the sanity of the said persons intact insofar as their expectations of life and what they can live with.

Not uncommon, most people do choose to live half-truths as the alternative would be likely too burdensome with no one to trust and depend upon, regardless actual circumstance or illusory self delusion.

High profile public figures and fashion models often fall under the cover of drugs and alcohol to sustain their empty lives, awash with regrets and past traumatic circumstances.

Common instances could escalate from the benign of act of being the subject of bullying at school, escapism on the internet ( internet games and Yahoo Answers not excluded ) to the harsher forms of physical torture and mental duress from those closest and distant from oneself.

When self-deception becomes exposed to the self, instances of survivors of boating accidents who keep afloat beyond human endurance, literally snap out of it and pass away shortly after being rescued. Could self-deception be that dangerous and unethical ?

As above illustrated of web mirage ( Lucky.. ), online gaming is increasing proved by various studies that the stimuli in gratifying the senses is tremendously effective in creating an addiction. Over time, at the simplest push of a button, an image is built around and within its participants of what they want to believe and see.

At best in this day and age, pen-pals, a largely forgotten art of letter writing, has been superceded by a more whimsical and largely abbreviated email. Within the culture of few having the ability to translate thought and feeling to word, let alone the guises that words by its inherent nature the means communicate sans accent and nuances of intonations.

Serious relationships therefore, have to be formed in the physical world to lend validity to existence. Aural, tactile, taste senses, become part of verification against the environment. Similarly, close friends and internet courting and marriage, lack what other senses provide.

For that matter, who is to know how far self-delusion extends that for every one human answering here, not all are human: These sentences are in fact complex algorithms that fools the mind into forming a picture of the event and of the other assumed to be on the other end typing this answer. Answers are gleaned from a database of varied consciousness.

I am, We, and Consciousness, for that matter, is a construct of your imagination, the illusion of our fragmented consciousness. Is this Answerer no more than a computer bot programmed to answer purposefully to your question and react accordingly to data feed, that becomes your self-deception as evidence of life ?

Perhaps self-deception is not an issue at all, merely a tool for survival, ( Zen.. ) "The only thing worse is never realizing it and changing it for the better." as is the valid proposition above ( Omino.. ), of self-promotion and feel good despite the negative circumstances, a form of self-deception, a hypocrisy, that edifies the human condition, and that having a God or being Godless is mass self-deception of the human race.

My Two Pennies Worth.

Answer 5

No. Once you have deceived yourself, you lose your ability to objectively assess reality. That's why if you lie to yourself, at least admit to yourself that that is what you are doing, for whatever reason. For instance, students often lie to themselves (as well as others) about how well they are doing in college. And some of them may need to believe this lie, at least for a while, to have the strength to get through a rough stretch. But those who blindly believe the lie, who actually persuade themselves they are doing well and being successful when they aren't, will never make the changes needed to become genuinely, objectively successful.

Answer 6

i remember once asking myself, should delusions of self-grandeur be repressed or encouraged? i recognize that living in make believe is dangerous, but living in reality may be just as difficult. the stuff of dreams, the delusions, can complement the real. self-deception can be dangerous, but it is integral to who we are. it gives us confidence, when the world seems to take it away. it gives us the courage to dream, when goals seem too lofty.

Answer 7

all deception sucks

Answer 8

i like that analogy. I completely agree. In some factors, the Christian republican may well be greater risky, although. i think of extremists on the two area of the political sport are risky.

Answer 9

Yes, think of all those people lured into cars by strangers pretending to be something other than what they are....

Answer 10

No. The only thing worse is never realizing it and changing it.