Self-deception

[ciphergoth]

Is self-deception always bad? Are there any beliefs so dear to you that, in a world where they weren't true, you would prefer to go on believing them?

Update: very interesting answers so far, I hope I get to hear from lots more of you!

Comments

[ludy]

in my more cynical moments i think that's how Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (in full to avoid the dodgy acronym) works

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

Interesting, say more? What beliefs does it encourage people to deceive themselves about?

Also, I'm keen to know whether you think there are occasions where people *should* deceive themselves - thanks!

[ludy]

The basic premise of CBT is that all problems are down to a person's negative thoughts. There's no room for looking at the social structures that have (at least partially) shaped those thoughts. And if it's done badly (which happens a lot now it's very fashionable and most practitioners have minimal training) it actively discourages people from letting them selves feel feelings like grief or anger at being wronged
CBT seems to be helpful for a lot of people so that's a good thing. But i think ultimately it would be better to change the world (if that was possible)

[the-magician.livejournal.com]

In my case I am looking at CBT because my emotional reaction to things is to buy stuff and acquire stuff to the point where I'm nearly buried by clothing, old computers, bits of HiFi, CDs, guitars etc.

CBT may allow me to find why I give items such an emotional value and allow me to face the world better.

Changing the world won't fix that I believe.

[ludy]

O i'm not saying CBT is a bad thing - just that sometimes it can be done badly. I know a lot of people find it very helpful - which makes it a good thing. I hope it helps you.
But i don't think that stops it from being a kind of chosen self-deception.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Oh absolutely - I second that. But then I am cynical most of the time.

A CBT practitioner needs to be very careful not to impose his/her views on the subject. In some ways I see it as self brain washing. I choose not to feel like this when that happens because I am thinking something. I am going to try to think something else and hopefully feel different.

Sadly we cant always change the world - and when the problem is the people in it you rarely cant.

[ludy]

true. And it's good that people are as mentally healthy as possible in an imperfect world. I just get grumpy at how CBT gets pushed as an answer to pretty much everything without there being very much critical thinking around it.

[alexmc.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, I'm still not satisfied with my original comment. What I failed to explain is that CBT is largely about identifying your own unhelpful beliefs and replacing them with more helpful beliefs.

Is either belief self-deception? I dont know.