Up@dawn 2.0

Monday, October 17, 2016

Kant- Discipline into Routine

I find it amazing how the human mind works, especially its ability to train itself. For example, I worked on a farm for several years. During that time, I would have to wake up at 5AM every morning. Now, three years after I left the job, I still wake up at 5AM sharp every morning, with no alarm clock.
It's so fascinating how something that once had to be disciplined into a mind can become its routine. I'm sure even Kant had a few mornings where there was some part of him that didn't want to get out of bed that early in the morning, especially when he first started his rituals. However, as time went on, it started to become second nature to him.
The human brain is so easily programmable, we haven't the slightest idea of its full potential. Now, I believe the rumor that humans only use 10% of their brain is tentative and most probably inaccurate. However, I do believe the mind is much more capable than we give it credit for.
I guess this relates back to the Pavlov's dog theory.
Just think- this is evident in our daily lives- brushing our teeth, getting dressed, going in the restroom (and not soiling ourselves), and eventually language. We were taught all of these things, most from when we were toddlers.
The mind is a wonderful device that we need to use to our advantage.

8 comments:

  1. (H3) Do you think it was just Kant's discipline or do you think he actually enjoyed the idea of a routine or that of starting his day with a stimulating walk?

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  2. (H3) Also I think the rumor is that we have only accessed 10% of our brain. We have the potential for a lot more. Dolphins on the other hand are closer to 20%, I think, hence why they can use echolocation to locate objects and communicate. P.S. I would totally recommend the movie "Lucy", with Scarlett Johansson. It explores the idea of accessing different parts of the human brain in an entertaining sic-fi way.

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  3. I too admired this in Kant. I wish that i could get on a schedule like this. However, my job keeps me up till 2am man nights and get me up at 8 am many mornings. Therefore, a strict schedule is not easily put in place for me.

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  4. (H2) Isabella, while I do like the movie "Lucy" as well, the inaccuracy is the attempt to make it into a percentage. I agree that only a certain amount of brain is used at a time, and that animals such as dolphins and bats are known to have higher brain functions. What I do not agree with is the attempt to gauge brain usage as a percentage, simply for understanding.

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  5. (H3) first a quick comment on the ten percent of the brain thing. I think that actually has some truth but is misinterpreted. Your using all your brain all the time, to run your body but only a relatively small percent on direct, conscious, thought. If you think about it your body is like New York City times one hundred, and your brain is a computer that makes sure every corner of it and every citizen, and vehicle, and everything in it runs perfectly all the time. It marvelous actually.

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  6. When it comes to starting a routine, it takes a lot of discipline as does maintaining it in the begginning, but further on the routine becomes habit and one no longer needs discipline to maintain it.

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  7. I agree that the mind is a wonderful device and the fact that we can create habits for ourselves shows this. We can train our minds and bodies to do things automatically.

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  8. We use all 100% of our brain, it is just a matter of when we are using it. Not all of our neurons are firing all at the same time, but, save for a few disorders and diseases, we do use all of our neurons at some point. One could argue, however, that we are not using it to the height of our abilities or that we are not wisely using the resources we have with it. I believe that we could think intellectually and harder and do so much more for our society, but so many people are okay with simply settling. I think this is the ideal that we must change.

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