Deepest Turtle
Deepest Turtle
A New Paradigm for Finding Meaning in Life, Grounded in Science and Engineering Principles
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The book starts by defining its evidence- and reasoning-based methodology (Present-Bounded Rationality) and uses it to build the MSE framework. The framework organizes our understanding of reality into layers, all the way from Ultimate Reality, through Physical Reality as well as Consciousness, Life, and finally Meaning, Purpose, and Hope.
Methodology
Present-Bounded Rationality (PBR)
PBR is the epistemological foundation of the MSE Framework. It can also be seen as the fundamental methodology of engineering. It is this methodology that allows engineers to build bridges that last centuries or land spacecraft on distant celestial objects moving at incredible speeds, despite all the complexity, nebulosity, and unknowns in reality. Analogously, PBR enables us to construct a rigorous, useful framework for finding meaning in life despite such limits. It is based on three core pillars:
Rationality
Reliance on evidence and reason as our most reliable guides. We use the same methods that have proven effective in science and engineering to approach questions of meaning, rather than taking leaps of faith on unproven or irrational ideas.
Bounded
Honestly acknowledge that rationality does have limits, imposed by complexity, nebulosity, unknowns in reality, and the constraints of human cognition. Yet, it is possible to work within these limits rather than stretching them too far or pretending they don't exist.
Present
Our ability to preceive, predict, and act diminishes the further we move away from the present moment/context. Also, to build a robust model, we need to be as clear-eyed as possible. This naturally leads to ideas like mindfulness, humility, and continuous learning.
The MSE Framework
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