Self-deceit / Selfbedrog



“There are two ways to be fooled. One is to believe what isn't true; the other is to refuse to believe what is true.”
Søren Kierkegaard

What Kierkegaard says comes down to one single thing: self-deception. If we can tear down the blindfold of self-deception from our eyes and loosen the gag of self-denial from our voices, says Theodore C. Sorensen, then we can restore things back to its greatness. Through self-deception, you deny the relevance of evidence and logical argumentation that opposes your convictions. You convince yourself that something is the truth while it is anything but the truth. This is why it is so important to always pursue knowledge because it is that precise knowledge that will rip the veils of deception from your eyes.

It is true that people (not all) deceive others on a daily basis, but remember that our discussion is about deceiving the self. Self-deception says much about the nature of the individual practicing it. This is because self-deception is based on irrationality. If you do something (for example excessive drinking) that has a negative impact on your duties as a partner, parent and/or friend, and you convince yourself (after being made aware of this) that this is not the case, then you are deceiving yourself. It is not at all rational to do that.


We should not have irrational emotional attachments to beliefs that may result in self-deception. Have enough psychological strength to admit the truth and deal with the consequences that will follow.

There is no rationality,
In self-deception.
You will keep on losing, never to win
and this is detrimental to your mentality.
b * a

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“Daar is twee maniere waarop jy jouself kan bluf. Een is om te glo wat nie waar is nie; die ander is om te weier om te glo wat waar is.”
Søren Kierkegaard

Wat Kierkegaard hier aanraak, kom neer op een enkele aspek: selfbedrog. Wanneer ons eendag besluit om die blinddoek van selfbedrog van ons oë  te verwyder, en die muilband van selfontkenning in ons monde los te maak, sê Theodore C. Sorensen, dan eers kan ons begin om dinge na hul vorige glorie te herstel. Deur selfbedrog ontken jy die relevansie van daardie bewyse en logiese argumentering wat andersinds jou oortuigings opponeer en weerlê. Jy oortuig jouself dat iets die waarheid is terwyl dit alles behalwe die waarheid is. Dit is waarom dit so belangrik is om altyd kennis na te streef, want dit is kennis wie die sluier van bedrog van jou oë sal verwyder.

Dit is waar dat mense (darem nie almal nie) andere op ‘n daaglikse basis bedrieg. Vandag se bespreking gaan egter nie oor andere se bedrieglikheid nie, maar oor jou eie, teenoor jouself. Selfbedrog sê baie aangaande die natuur van die individu wie dit beoefen, want selfbedrog is gebasseer op ‘n ongesonde irrasionaliteit. As jy iets selfvernietigend doen (soos die oordrewe gebruik van drank) wat ‘n direkte impak op jou verpligtinge as ‘n werker, lewensmaat, of vriend het, en jy oortuig jouself (selfs nadat jy van hierdie selfvernietigende optrede bewus gemaak is) dat dit nie die geval is nie, dan bedrieg jy jouself. Daar is niks rasioneel te vinde in hierdie gedrag nie.


Ons moet ten alle tye daarteen waak om irrasionele emosionele bande te   bind met oortuigings wat selfbedrog tot gevolg kan hê. Beoefen genoegsame sielkundige inspanning om die waarheid te herken en te erken, en om met die gevolge daarvan saam te leef

Daar is geen rasionaliteit,
In selfbedrog.
Jy sal net altyd opeindig in spyt
wat negatief sal inwerk op jou lewenstog.
b * a

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