"And, sadly, those who suck at telling themselves self-serving narratives are likely to get steamrolled by life."
I thought I was a cynic, but I see I am a tyro. The conviction that the key to a fulfilling life is self-knowledge has been stood on its head and you see self-knowledge as an impediment. Are we to be philosophical enemies?
To *really suck* at self-serving narratives isn't to see yourself as you are, but to find it difficult to interpret yourself with any charity whatsoever. It isn't impartiality. Rather, instead of bias in favor of yourself, it is bias in the other direction. It is doubt that any story where you come out looking good could possibly be true, even when it is. It is such a terrible way to live that it's no wonder humanity tends to be biased in the other direction.
"And, sadly, those who suck at telling themselves self-serving narratives are likely to get steamrolled by life."
I thought I was a cynic, but I see I am a tyro. The conviction that the key to a fulfilling life is self-knowledge has been stood on its head and you see self-knowledge as an impediment. Are we to be philosophical enemies?
To *really suck* at self-serving narratives isn't to see yourself as you are, but to find it difficult to interpret yourself with any charity whatsoever. It isn't impartiality. Rather, instead of bias in favor of yourself, it is bias in the other direction. It is doubt that any story where you come out looking good could possibly be true, even when it is. It is such a terrible way to live that it's no wonder humanity tends to be biased in the other direction.