The Presumption Paradox

We tend to generally underestimate the advice and counsel given by people who so painstakingly care for us, be it our own parents, well-wishers and sometimes even our own best friends or group mates.  We do usually shun these selfless acts of gesture from others at the time when we actually need it and pay no heed to it being blinded by our self-pity, anger or ego; while on the contrary, we actually blame and scold the very same people whenever we feel that they weren’t there for us in other situations, when the case was entirely the opposite in actuality; we are just too simply blindsided by our own selfishness and anger that we always, in the usual case, fail to see the ‘good’ in the good advice given to us.

Why_did_you

I  know that this isn’t something new to write about, but in the past few days or rather since last year, I have thought and felt that how much for granted I have taken my parents for, now that I live at a considerable distance away from them making my mark on the world,experiencing the major responsibilities of professional life and managing my own life as well.  It is true that absence makes the heart grow fonder, and in all the time that I have been here in Dehradun, not a day has gone by when I do not think about the people I love and hold most dear. This is pretty normal for everyone and not what I intend to discuss here. What I do wish to write and share with all of you is the issue of ‘The Presumption Paradox’, the in-borne mentality and state of consciousness that is ubiquitous (i.e, in this case,  every human being). We do tend to accept every preconceived notion as the truth not realizing the meaning behind it. This paradox, according to me and I am sure many of you will agree, the root cause of most of our world’s problems. We are taught with an agreed set of values and principles since birth and are expected to follow it till the end of our lives, but we always fail to see the context and the essence behind them and of why are they being taught to us in the first place. Take for example, any individual projected as ‘different’ from the ‘normal’ requisites of human physicality or character will be either ostracized or ridiculed from the society, a custom or practice not accepted to the moral and ethical standards will be banned or again will face ridiculement. Why is it that we fear what we do not understand? Why do we hate or prejudice against others without any reason, just because they are not of the same colour or religion? Why do we always ‘assume’ things to be in supposition of our thoughts when it’s always the opposite generally in any given case?

esher32

The paradox and the evils borne out of it were rampant in the past ages and eras when knowledge was confined and limited. Now, in the modern age, it has tempered down to quite an extent although it has not been fully extinguished, the irony being that with more progress and development that has shaped the world, the more fuel it has added to the paradox. We will assume that televisions, radios and mobile phones have made communication easier when it is actually making us more complacent and indifferent from each other. We will assume that we are safe from war by having and building more and more mass destructive weapons. We will assume that virtual and plastic money are the next currencies of our generation when it is actually bankrupting economies around the world. We will assume that we will live longer lives because of the latest medical breakthroughs when everyday people are dying from diseases newer and deadlier. We will assume that the next silver-tongued, ‘do-gooder’ politicians will live upto their promises when we elect them to power when…..( Oh! You know what will come next!!).We will assume that our way of life has been made better each passing day with our continual developments and progress when it has actually made it worse for everybody and left the earth dying because of it. In the same way, for me, I will assume that this article will not be comprehended easily by you readers; the last bits of the post being entirely opposite of what it started out to be,but I will still assume that it shall!! 🙂 🙂 (I had to end at a light note, the last paragraph made me depressed! You may all assume me to be twisted in the head because of it, but that is because I assume to make the best out of the worst in any given matter!! And so, I end my indited insight of The Presumption Paradox with a paradox! If you are not satisfied with the views presented here, then let me just say, that you all ‘presume’ too much!!! Lets just all agree that the essence of the article lies in it utter ‘paradoxical’ incoherence!! 😀 :D)

6 thoughts on “The Presumption Paradox

  1. I believe advice should be given only when asked for…and not to bombard a person unnecessarily with advises, when he might solve the situation on his own..as we learn more from our failures and experiences then from other’s advises..

  2. Speedman bro! I totally agree with the self- learning bit, but it is also wise to heed the advice of those who have experienced a lot more from life than us, inspiration comes from there as well….

  3. I always came across such instances wherein your parents keep delivering advice…but some don’t reach our ears..though we don’t want them to reach…and in the end we repent our actions & thoughts!!!
    beautifully written asiem 🙂

Leave a comment