Are we all brainwashed in some degree?

Answer 1

Yes, even if "brainwashed" is itself a biased term for an inevitable process.

Our earliest value systems and judgement mechanisms are part instinctive reflexes and part culturally acquired at an age before critical thinking.

And from those we start to observe and assess the rest of the world.

There is the possibility of examining our own thought processes and assumptions, but it's not easy.
"I think there may be something that needs fixing in my tool box. I'll just get my tool box to fix it."

"We must examine our own minds. But with what?"
Stephen Jay Gould.

Simple example. As I was raised, it was obvious that in any fight between the cavalry and the Indians (sic) the cavalry were the good guys. It wasn't formally stated and proven, it dind't need to be. Hmm.

Answer 2

We are all "Conditioned" to a certain degree. The difference being - when a person is brainwashed they have a malfunctioning DGD (Desire Generating Device) and BGD (Belief Generating Device.) Obviously we are living organism and not robots, the Devices are just an analogy for the parts of the brain that produce beliefs and desires.
For instance - Lets say, when we feel physical pain on a somewhat minor scale we say "Ouch." We are not brainwashed to produce this response we where conditioned. For we can refrain from saying Ouch and we can even say something different. People that are brainwashed to say Ouch will say "Ouch" no matter what. They may even say Ouch when somebody says Hello or Good bye. This is because their DGD and BGD is malfunctioning. To live in a society and to communicate with other intelligent beings, we must all be conditioned to a certain degree. Brainwashing is somewhat different, because it`s not a tool that allows us to
co-exist on an even mental plane like conditioning. Brainwashing is when the mind is altered in someway that it prohibits us from behaving and communicating like we normally would.

Answer 3

Well, here's the thing, even if we're "brainwashed" by people, or by systems of thought, where do those systems of thought come from in the first place? Us. So, even if we are influenced heavily by people around us, it is almost like WE are influencing OURSELVES. Because there is nothing new under the sun, so whatever is "out there" to brainwash us first originated in the human heart, and the human heart is pretty much the same, in its more basic form.

Answer 4

I got brainwashed in a philosophy degree.

Answer 5

Yes, and it's perfectly normal. There are many traits of our personalities that psychologists suspect are genetic, but many many more that are environmental. These environmental traits are formed of our first experiences- where we lived, how our parents spoke to us, to eachother, what color the blankets in the crib were, our first interactions with other children; when everything is new, all of it matters. Every experience you've ever had, has shaped who you are, as surely as brainwashing. Some of it is uncontrollable, but some of it is intentional, we call the second one "teaching".

Answer 6

If you mean by brainwashed, do most of of believe what mommy and daddy told us was true; ? Yes. Most people do not want to take the time and the energy to think thinks out for themselves. It takes hard work.

Answer 7

Yes, schools, television, computers, electronics, and the government all aid in the brainwashing of society. The ultimate question is, how to we detach ourselves from society?

Answer 8

From the time we leave the birth canal! Our parents, or lack of same, start the time you cry to get food, warmth, a dry diaper, or held. Think about the way we leave behind those diapers, running water and 'what a big boy or girl!'

OR did you mean by the government?

Not aliens, all right?

Answer 9

Quite the opposite, I would say that most have a very dirty brain and need to give it a good washing to clean out all the filthy conditioning that the world of men has worked into it.

Answer 10

"The Sanskrit term `Buddha' means `Awakened One', and refers to anyone who has awakened from the sleep of ignorance and is free from the dream of mistaken appearance. Because ordinary beings like us have not yet awakened from the sleep of ignorance we continue to live in a dream-like world of mistaken appearances and do not see the true nature of things. This is the fundamental reason why we experience suffering and are of limited benefit to others. "-Geshe Kelsang Gyatso