If thinking is categorized practically, it can be broadly split into ‘volitional thinking’ and ‘instrumental thinking.’ Volitional thinking involves the belief that to succeed, a person must have a strong will to overcome hardships and obstacles. Self-improvement falls under this category. However, to actually overcome hardships and obstacles, it is instrumental thinking that drives us to consider that we need ‘tools’ to get past them. In other words, it’s like how carpenters build houses: they construct the structure, but tools are what make it possible. There is no carpenter without tools. Both are essential for success, but if I had to emphasize one, focusing on instrumental thinking is more advantageous. - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”
Greed, regret, excessive care, unreasonable disconnection, excuses, defenses, lies, dignity, and elaborate schemes; the essence behind these phenomena is fear. The unique response that occurred after Adam and Eve sinned was to hide out of fear. The object of fear becomes the object of worship. While religion should help balance fear and worship, it often exploits it. This is called “depravity.” Anyone can be depraved, anyone! - Joseph’s “just my thoughts”