BlindSpots: 21 Good Reasons to Think before You Talk

Description

Examines 21 unquestioned assumptions that cloud our collective consciousness * Reveals faulty thinking and conceptual blindspots that distort beliefs in science, philosophy, and spirituality--from "the universe exploded from nothing in a Big Bang" to "we create our own reality" * Explains how "thought viruses" spread as we use these cliched assumptions in our daily communications We live in a world filled with cliches--convenient assumptions and unquestioned conclusions that many of us use without giving them a second thought. We all spread these "thought viruses," infecting everyone we come in contact with. But many of these blindspots in how we think about ourselves and the world do not withstand rigorous scrutiny--or even casual scrutiny in some cases--yet they fall out of the mouths of scientists, religious teachers, journalists, and authors with dumbfounding frequency. Over the years philosopher Christian de Quincey spotted these cognitive gremlins in books, blogs, websites, TV shows, movies, classrooms, and casual conversations--and he wondered: Why do so many people speak before thinking, spreading ideas that make no sense, yet fool us into thinking they do? How did these unquestioned beliefs about life, space, time, energy, consciousness, evolution, artificial intelligence, and even God take hold in our collective consciousness? In this book, de Quincey deliberately provokes and illuminates the dark side of jumping to conclusions, casting a skeptical eye on 21 beliefs that keep science, philosophy, and spirituality in the dark--from "the universe exploded from nothing in a Big Bang" and "we create our own reality" to "nobody knows what consciousness is" and "everything is energy." These ideas distort and block our understanding and openness to important questions about life, the universe, mind, matter, God, and the miraculous. By exposing these thought viruses that take our minds hostage when we fail to think things through, de Quincey aims to help change the way we think not just about thinking but also about how we live our lives, interact with others, and contemplate the world around us.

Christian de Quincey, M.A., Ph.D., is Professor of Philosophy and Consciousness Studies at John F. Kennedy University and Dean of Consciousness Studies at the University of Philosophical Research. He is the award-winning author of Radical Nature and Radical Knowing as well as Consciousness from Zombies to Angels and Deep Spirit: Cracking the Noetic Code. The founder of the Wisdom Academy, he lives in Half Moon Bay, California.

"BlindSpots is a delightful book to read. It will make you think about ideas you secretly hunger to discuss deeply. Every chapter is bound to get you into a rich dialogue, if not with others, then at least within yourself. Read this book and you will go deep." * Amit Goswami, Ph.D, author of Quantum Creativity and Quantum Economics * "In BlindSpots, Christian de Quincey pulls back the veil on the thoughtless, delusional ways we too often communicate. It's not just that these shortcuts are wrong, they are also dangerous because they lead to behaviors and beliefs that our fragile species can no longer afford. This very wise, engaging book should be at the top of the reading list of everyone who is concerned about our future." * Larry Dossey, M.D., author of One Mind: How Our Individual Mind Is Part of a Greater Consciousness a * "In this book, Christian de Quincey illuminates some of the biggest blindspots that keep people stuck. Be prepared to be challenged about ideas you probably take for granted. Be prepared to be amused and inspired." * Marilyn Schlitz, Ph.D., president emeritus/senior fellow at the Institute of Noetic Sciences * "This important book by Christian de Quincey shows that by questioning our own assumptions more carefully we can arrive at a deeper and more accurate understanding of life's complexities. De Quincey brings vitality and excitement to scientific, philosophical, metaphysical, and spiritual issues. I recommend this book for almost everyone." * Jeffrey Mishlove, Ph.D., dean of transformational psychology, University of Philosophical Research * "BlindSpots will make your brain hurt, but in a good way, like the aftereffects of exercise. De Quincey deftly unpacks 21 ideas that are often taken for granted to reveal why 'deep thought' philosophy remains a vital approach to understanding our complex world. You may agree with some of the ideas and disagree with others, but in all cases you will be invited to reconsider your core assumptions." * Dean Radin, Ph.D., chief scientist at the Institute of Noetic Sciences and coeditor in chief of Expl * "In his new book, Christian de Quincey focuses our attention on the ways in which erroneous or flabby or incoherent thoughts have become embedded in our everyday cliches. It is a delight to reflect upon these invisible clunkers in a critical way, and even if one ends up disagreeing with de Quincey, the end result is an improvement in one's verbal expressions; one's language feels brighter, fresher, and more alive." * Brian Thomas Swimme, Ph.D., author of The Universe Is a Green Dragon and Canticle to the Cosmos * ". . . this book will help you think more clearly and converse more fruitfully on a wide range of subjects. BlindSpots is an excellent field guide for exploring some of the twenty-first century's most challenging conceptual terrain." * Michael Dowd, author of Thank God for Evolution * "Professor de Quincey has a jeweler's eye for questions concerning the nature of consciousness and its position in the world of nature. I always find his clear thinking and writing a pleasure to read." * Allan Combs, Ph.D., director of consciousness studies at the California Institute of Integral Studie * "Reading de Quincey's BlindSpots is a profoundly liberating experience. All of us absorb beliefs from the culture around us, and we limit ourselves by acting as if those beliefs are true. De Quincey subjects those ideas to his brilliant philosophical critique. We are left with our minds open, free to engage with the world in new and interesting ways. This is my favorite kind of philosophy--philosophy that frees us from limitations and opens us more richly to our participation in the universe!" * Eric Weiss, Ph.D., author of The Long Trajectory * "A provocative book that challenges many popular assertions about consciousness and the nature of reality. De Quincey encourages us to think for ourselves and base our beliefs on our own experience rather than hearsay or others' opinions. Much food for thought in here for everyone." * Peter Russell, author of The Global Brain and From Science to God *