Reality Check

Don't have a clue where you are? Try this.

Should you ever be confused about your existence or the reality in which your mind frolics then consider this possibility:  In hell, no one is rewarded for telling the truth.

Author's Note

Assumes a belief system compatible with the concept of heaven and hell.

Reviews

[TrimarcoRansome]

I don't believe in heaven and hell, Tam but what a statement! Of course the truth should be an automatic reaction in all of us but thus, we are all simply humans! Personally, honesty is more than likely my best and worst attribute, It can go either way, some appreciate it and others do not. One thing I am certain of though, is that I rarely get rewards for doing so apart from my own soul being at peace with itself. So in response to your statement, we are the ones rewarded :-)
Helen

[Tam Warink]

Thank you, Helen, I love the way you rationalized the nature/existence in which your mind frolics. There is no right or wrong (response) but there is that sense of self and the pool of rationalism in which our minds frolic. I too think it is just as you say/imply - if we can be at peace with our self then we (probably) have our reward; perhaps one of the best ones too.

[Lourisa]

In the words of S.E. Hinton: “I lie to myself all the time. But I never believe me.” Will I be rewarded in heaven or hell? - not that I believe in either.
I enjoy going through your work, Tam.

[Tam Warink]

Yes, and if ones stomach was on the outside and everything else inside .. that might be a new definition of consumption. It is the companion words that display incongruity best. They become the window dressing for the manikin sporting the latest fashion. Thoughts are like that in a way.

[Joiedevivre]

this is to me very much a poetic version of the Epimenides paradox, the stuff veils are made of.

[Tam Warink]

That is a unique observation, Joie. I wonder if it would be productive to attempt to paraphrase this line from the Wikipedia article of your reference, "The mistake made by Thomas Fowler (and many other people) above is to think that the negation of "all Cretans are liars" is "all Cretans are honest", when in fact the negation is "there exists a Cretan who is honest". How would you state it in this context? As an aside, it seems (historically speaking) that attempts to intermingle theology and logic are fraught with danger. But, perhaps that is because "the code" must embrace the chaos (technically speaking) of hell in order to form a more perfect heaven.

[Joiedevivre]

I've read the article, yes there is a way around this paradox but not the liar paradox. The liar paradox is the essence of the self referential binary code which veil the soul from the personality. But long and very abstract discussion for the humble comment box :)

[Tam Warink]

Yes, perhaps it would be inappropriate for the comment box. I'm smiling too, really. But I find that sometimes the comments/threads are just as entertaining/inspiring and full of enlightenment as are the poems and stories themselves. What a delightful new wrinkle you have become for me. Thank you. :)

[Joiedevivre]

thank you! indeed i agree, but i would not know where to begin analysing this in the comment box or anywhere else but in my own mind hahaha.

[Tam Warink]

...and you have given me something to ponder too! "... the essence of the self referential binary code which veil the soul from the personality." Thanks again. Now I must endeavor to improve my Weltanschauung!! ^_^

[Joiedevivre]

Thank you. I was reminded of this notion by your poem, so i have you to thank . May i suggest you think about this paradox in terms of light! Viel Glück.

[Lydia Shutter]

Well, now, talk about thought provoking! The reality in which MY mind frolics assumes most people tell the truth....until they prove me wrong. Then I never believe anything they say again. If there is a hell, I suppose cynicism would be the order of the day. Lots to ponder here. Lydi**

[Tam Warink]

Oh, thank you for reading, Lydi! You reveal a bit of your garden and for that I am most grateful. As an aside, perhaps consider this too... when the ox and the moron play together there can, in truth, be no lies. (There will, however, most likely be flies.)

[Lydia Shutter]

Your mind works in strange ways...but they are delightful to follow!

[rutherford]

Word for word, this sentence carries more concentrated thought than any other sentence I can think of.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for your attention and commentary, Rutherford. We stumble and sometimes fall but the ground is often both interesting and educational.

[Pryde Foltz]

Brilliant piece. So the choice becomes tell the truth all the time and maybe go to Heaven, or lie all you like and plan on going to hell.

[Tam Warink]

Thank you, Pryde. What a very astute comment! It could also be the case that it is one of those random, obscure tautologies that the left half of the brain uses to tease the right half. But your interpretation is an equally excruciating ponder for it plows that fertile middle earth. In essence It is the razors edge - can I be just a little bad or a little good; is that a viable strategy for Heaven or for Hell? Let the gentle minds beware.

[Pryde Foltz]

It would seem to me the muses often choose the obscure but always the tautological.

[Tam Warink]

Well, now you have me agog... what sense of tautology are you considering? Tautology may refer to:

Tautology (rhetoric), a self-reinforcing pretense of significant truth
Tautology (grammar), the use of redundant words
Tautology (logic), a universal truth in formal logic
Tautology (rule of inference), a rule of replacement for logical expressions
Tautonym, a species name where both parts are identical

[Pryde Foltz]

The Wikepedia one. Wink. This being the closest---Tautology (logic), a universal truth in formal logic. The universal truth being the part I am most referring to. The muses may be tricky but they never lie.

[Tam Warink]

I was kinda hoping that was the one... :)

[Ina Waltz]

If you allow, I will put this on my wall so it can haunt me every day.

[Tam Warink]

I will allow this if you will describe the wall in a poem that suggests what "this" means to you, post it here, and then request that I review it. Seems simple enough doesn't it? Oh, and thanks for your review Ivana.

[Ina Waltz]

We have a deal, friend. :)

[Ufi Auttorri ~ Amy C. T..]

Quite plausible! ;-) Now, how much more do I have to day about it in order to get a least a point or so for typing like a medieval scribe? I guess that's enough. Thanks, sorry for the clutter.

[M. Kari]

something to ponder certainly

[Tam Warink]

Thank you for your comment, M.. I will say that you probably devoted more time to its reading than it was worth and yet I am grateful for your consideration and mind share. I'm ashamed that I called it a "story." It was more of an experiment, random thought filler, in trying to understanding this new-fangled website and how it works. :D

[M. Kari]

understood :) there is probably some way to delete it...have not learned that trick myself :)

[Tam Warink]

Deleting and/or editing is no problem. That is all available under the "Manage Writing" tab or equivalent option under the Writing pull-down menu, at the top menu, under the site banner. That much I've figured out. :p

[M. Kari]

ah thanks I will try to remember that should the need arise :)