When practicing Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy (REBT), I find it useful to define terms rather than presuming that people already understand descriptions of concepts. Demonstrating this practice, I stated in a blogpost entitled On Truth:
The unpolished definition of truth relates to that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality. Incidentally, “true” is defined as accurate or exact information in accordance with fact or reality.
Following these standards, “reality” may be described as the world or the state of things as they actually exist, as opposed to an idealistic or notional idea of them. Likewise, “fact” is detailed as a thing that is known or proved to be true, as opposed to interpretation.
Unsurprisingly, since having honed my skills of life coaching since the 90s and practiced psychotherapy since 2011, I’ve learned that many people misunderstand the concepts of truth and reality. I suspect that you’ve also observed a similar phenomenon.
Perhaps you’ve heard people advocate the existence of “my truth” or state that “perception is reality.” While one could philosophically entertain these notions to a perceivably limitless degree, people live within reality as it is – not solely as we interpret it.
As an example, suppose you irrationally believe that your skin is bulletproof. Whereas a belief is a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing, that which is rational is based on or in accordance with logic and reason.
There’s a fairly straightforward and scientific method of testing your proposed hypothesis that masquerades as a factual belief. Although I don’t recommend it, a person could shoot your skin with a bullet in order to determine whether or not your “truth” or interpreted “reality” is valid.
Alas, the difference between hard and soft scientific distinction may be from where some of the confusion stems. A hard science such as physics may test the likelihood of an individual’s skin being bulletproof.
A soft science, such as that relating to various subcategories of psychology, may dilute the distinction between truth/reality and fiction/abstraction – or rather delude one into believing nonsense. To use a precise example, consider the absurdity associated with one source that states:
Science, as a whole, is a product of Western modernity and the whole thing should be scratched off, especially in Africa. So if you want a practical solution to how to decolonize science, we’d have to restart science from, I don’t know, from an African perspective – from our perspective of how we’ve experienced science.
For instance, I have a question for all the science people. There’s a place in [unintelligible location in Africa], and they believe that through the magic – the black magic, you’ve heard of black magic; they call it witchcraft, others – that you are able to send lightning to strike someone.
So can you explain that scientifically, because it is something that happens?
How does science explain how a shaman calls the lightning? Well, it doesn’t, because that’s an unfalsifiable claim that aligns with one’s interpreted reality – not actual truth and reality. Standards of cultural competence be damned! I reject the concept of interpreted reality.
While I agree that people interpret or often misinterpret reality, interpretations and misinterpretations of reality don’t comprise reality itself. Reality exists despite an individual’s perspective. Rather than representing bigotry, my stance comports with logic and reason.
Illustrating another example of a senseless outlook regarding reality, I turn to a book recommended to me by a client – This Naked Mind: Control alcohol, find freedom, discover happiness & change your life.
As the author retains rights to the imagery depicted in the text, I’ve created my own image regarding what the author describes as “the things we ‘know’ to be true are not actually formed by reality, but by reality as we have interpreted it from our experiences, observations, assumptions, and conclusions”:
Photo credit (edited), fair use
The black area represents objective reality—that which exists as is and which is independent of conscious perception or interpretation. The white area to the side of the steps relates to “our reality,” per the author, which represents interpreted reality.
If I understand her correctly, the author states that people interface with reality at the first step of experiences and observations. This perspective is in accordance with the scientific method of observation.
As an example, after you and another person tested your hypothesis regarding your presumably bulletproof skin, you both observe blood pouring from your body after the shooting experience. Reality reveals that a bullet punctured your skin.
At that point, you may form an assumption—without proof, a thing that is accepted as true or as certain to happen. You irrationally assume, “The bullet penetrated me, only because I’m not wearing my lucky underwear today.”
Based on your nonsensical acceptance of this notion as true, even though there’s no proof to validate its claim, you form a conclusion—the necessary consequence of two or more propositions taken as premises. To illustrate how this is accomplished, consider the following syllogism:
Form –
Major premise: If X, then Y.
Minor premise: X.
Conclusion: Therefore, Y.
Example –
If I don’t don lucky underwear, then a bullet can pierce my skin.
I didn’t don lucky underwear before getting shot.
Therefore, a bullet pierced my skin.
Taking into account one’s experiences, observations, assumptions, and conclusions, the author posits that beliefs are formed. In your case, you irrationally believe that based on laughable so-called evidence, your skin must be bulletproof when donning lucky underwear.
Presumably, the steps taken from objective reality and via one’s interpretation of it lead an individual closer to reality itself. Thus, one ascends a proverbial staircase from reality toward knowledge, wisdom, and understanding of truth – represented by reality as an end point.
I appreciate the author’s parsing of information in regard to belief systems. Nevertheless, my critique of her concept relates to interpreted reality – or what she refers to as “our reality.” There simply is no subjective reality. There is only objective reality.
The shaman doesn’t call the lightning, even if one perceives the matter in such a way. Likewise, your skin isn’t bulletproof, even if you interpret the matter in this way. Moreover, wearing a cloth mask arguably never had a significant effect on COVID-19. (Shots fired!)
When using REBT with others, I find that although I’m able to demonstrate rational arguments in a similar manner as depicted herein, some people refuse to think rationally. Instead, they disturb themselves with some legitimately wacky beliefs.
Apparently, a “my truth” or “perception is reality” narrative is preferable to the practice of rational living. About individuals who maintain such preposterous views, I’m undisturbed.
When considering the information in this blogpost, you may realize that you’ve upset yourself with irrational beliefs based on unproductive conclusions which rest upon faulty assumptions atop experiences and observations. If your interpretation of reality doesn’t serve you well, I’m here to help.
If you’re looking for a provider who works to help you understand how thinking impacts physical, mental, emotional, and behavioral elements of your life—helping you to sharpen your critical thinking skills, I invite you to reach out today by using the contact widget on my website.
As a psychotherapist, I’m pleased to help people with an assortment of issues ranging from anger (hostility, rage, and aggression) to relational issues, adjustment matters, trauma experience, justice involvement, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, anxiety and depression, and other mood or personality-related matters.
At Hollings Therapy, LLC, serving all of Texas, I aim to treat clients with dignity and respect while offering a multi-lensed approach to the practice of psychotherapy and life coaching. My mission includes: Prioritizing the cognitive and emotive needs of clients, an overall reduction in client suffering, and supporting sustainable growth for the clients I serve. Rather than simply helping you to feel better, I want to help you get better!
Deric Hollings, LPC, LCSW
References:
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