Death, Freedom and Intersubjectivity -- The Philosophy of Shared Perception and Its Chains
Updated: Mar 28
Shared Reality and Societal Chains
Intersubjectivity, the space where our individual perspectives meet and co-create a shared understanding, forms the very bedrock of what we experience as "life" and "reality." The dynamic engagement of interactions, connections, and social participation defines our existence within one or more collectives. Conversely, a life devoid of these connections, often falls under the labels of "escapism", "defeatism" or even "death" (or a life not worth living).
However, this very intersubjectivity can be a double-edged sword. While it fosters a sense of shared reality, it can also morph into a set of "mental chains," subtly pulling us towards established beliefs and paradigms. That is, whether or not these mental constructs actually align with the World Beyond the Mind.
To quote Mr. John Duran, who applied what I just said to wage slavery in America:
Society, through many interactions, shapes our perception of the world, while often discouraging exploration of alternative viewpoints. Paths that deviate from the mainstream narrative might be met with labels like "weird," "eccentric," or even harsher terms. Such social constructs are unfit for philosophical explorations since they seek to diminish them.
The unwillingness to not diminish the exchange of new ideas creates a tension: Do we embrace the intersubjective reality for a sense of belonging, or forge our own unique paths that may risk societal acceptance?
This dilemma involving intersubjectivity lies at the heart of many people, prompting them to constantly evaluate and question the interplay between shared experience and individual exploration. Those who are able to afford long-term seclusion, may question whether or not to be a part of society in the first place.
It is only when society is going to be more open minded, when many problems within it could be solved, for one of the points of deep thinking is to be able to solve our problems.
Reclusion and the Unseen Horizons of Reality
While intersubjectivity builds the intricate industrial complex of our shared existence, it can also confine us within its familiar patterns, like in a cage, thus preventing us to expand our perception of reality. As such, being a recluse isn't merely about disconnecting. It's also about stepping outside the "mental chains" that this shared reality creates. It's a pursuit of a "life" and "reality" that extends far beyond the conventional definitions, and beyond its orthodox paths to living.
Solitude offers a fertile ground for discovery. This is true not only in writing, a solitary activity that allows us to better know ourselves. Removed from the constant distractions of social interaction, we can encounter new possibilities, both of action and perspective, which allows us to broaden our horizons and question the philosophies we grew up on.
Unfettered by societal expectations, we can explore paths unseen and unheard within the confines of intersubjectivity, that may more often than not work like an echo chamber, and may fail to accept criticism professionally.
This exploration, however, comes with a "symbolic death".
A Solitary Journey to Unbounded Consciousness
As we venture beyond the established borders of "life" and "reality," our old selves, shaped by the dominant paradigm/s, begin to fade. This metaphorical demise signifies an expansion of consciousness, a questioning gaze that pierces the veil of the conventional.
Skepticism, a core component of philosophical inquiry, becomes our guide, in world that may regard it as an "attack" on sensitive minds. Through skepticism's lens, our day-to-day experiences transform, appearing more intricate than they initally were. We begin to see "life" and "reality" as a network of neurological events playing out within individual brains – a phenomenon strikingly similar to the concept of intersubjectivity. Much of our perception of reality, after all, is but a choice, whether it's one we actively make or otherwise.
This newfound skepticism challenges the very foundations of societal priorities. We start to question the weight society places on these seemingly top-tier experiences, ranging from romance to the notion that life is to be enjoyed from, to the existential value of work.
The "reality," "life," and "importance" dictated by societal norms may simply be a shared narrative, a mental contract we've made to maintain a collective identity. It's merely a narrative we taught to regard as reality itself.
Embracing doubt, allowing it to shape our every action, leads to a metaphorical death. We begin to examine life more, and experience it less. The "qualia" of our experiences, the subjective qualities of our perception, are forever altered by this pursuit of knowledge, thus separating us from the rest of humanity in profound mental isolation. This relentless philosophical questioning can lead, as it did for me, to a path of asceticism and a hermit-like existence.
Through introspection and self-sufficiency, I've discovered that the emotional and intellectual rewards traditionally sought within society can be cultivated within. This realization has also led me to profoundly question the societal obsession with material wealth. Understanding that much of what we seek, mentally-wise, can already be found within ourselves, led me to understand the futility of much of this reality.
The choice to step outside the familiar realm of intersubjectivity is not for everyone, for it can be followed by a great sense of loneliness and alienation.
Yet, for those who yearn to explore life and reality beyond the conventional, solitude becomes a potent tool – a gateway to a universe unseen, a catalyst for a metaphorical death that paves the way for a more expansive and liberated consciousness.
Redefining Happiness Beyond Societal Constructs
The pursuit of happiness often steers us towards external validation, societal expectations, career ambitions, and material possessions. However, my exploration of intersubjectivity and solitude has led me down a different path, a path of "inner alchemy", as I realized that much of my happiness depends not on these aspects of reality, but on my own mentality. The same could be true for you as well.
Through introspection, I've come to a radical conclusion: external ambitions and achievements hold little sway over true happiness, which is defined by our ability to be satisfied with our subjective interests, not our intersubjective ones, necessarily.
It's the conscious cultivation of thoughts that foster happiness and satisfaction that truly matters. The fulfillment of our personal and shared ambitions are nothing more than a supplement to help us with just that. They are the "kli", not the "tochen".
The trappings of societal success – high status, a well-paying job, romantic relationships, even family – while not inherently bad, become less relevant, when we are free from the chains of inter-subjectivity. These are chains that do not necessarily care for our own subjectivity, which are vital in the pursuit of happiness. We cannot know happiness if we fail in knowing ourselves enough. The key lies in harnessing the power of thought to cultivate the emotional states we desire.
Doing so requires a deep commitment to introspection and a constant effort to manage our internal dialogue. It's a personal experiment, an expedition into uncharted territory, where our social circles could serve as an obstacle in our path.
Thus, for those who fail finding happiness and joy in society, searching for it in solitude becomes the less-walked alternative. And it cannot happen properly if we don't bother questioning, exactly, why society and its limitations fail to provide us the happiness we want.
And in my own path I realized I've no desire for happiness. I only desire work and love. They require the ability to endure suffering. I am prepared for both.
