"This is also, of course, operating under the assumption that we are willing to take people's words at face value."
Of course everyone lies, it's just a matter of degree.
Simplest explanation is that most people are reasonably honest in what they report. EG , I suspect that at least some alien abductees believe they were abducted by aliens. I also think human beings are gullible, hence the stunning saturation of various religious beliefs, containing the most fatuous nonsense. You don't need to look further than this forum and its resident Christian dills.
I have no idea of Jung's motivations. From reading his autobiography, he seemed to be sincere, but deluded about some things.
The magician Houdini spent years exposing fake mediums .( he desperately wanted to contact his mum.) We even see 'real' psychics on TV. As I said, people are gullible. They want to believe the woo; reality is often far less interesting, and, at base far more frightening .EG Life after death, and paradise is far more comforting (for many) than the notion that death is the end of personal existence. The comparison is often made with a dreamless sleep. That sounds fine to me; death is not an experience. However, dying often is, and I admit to being terrified of THAT.
I go to a mens group. Ages range from late 50's to 85. This week, we lost another member .Our friend was 81, had a stroke at home, with his family, around, and died. A very likeable guy, we will all miss him. A common comment after expressing sorrow, was "the lucky bastard!"--not for him the slow physical decline and death by inches of dementia, in a strange place. (nursing home) I should be so lucky.
Of course everyone lies, it's just a matter of degree.
Simplest explanation is that most people are reasonably honest in what they report. EG , I suspect that at least some alien abductees believe they were abducted by aliens. I also think human beings are gullible, hence the stunning saturation of various religious beliefs, containing the most fatuous nonsense. You don't need to look further than this forum and its resident Christian dills.
I have no idea of Jung's motivations. From reading his autobiography, he seemed to be sincere, but deluded about some things.
The magician Houdini spent years exposing fake mediums .( he desperately wanted to contact his mum.) We even see 'real' psychics on TV. As I said, people are gullible. They want to believe the woo; reality is often far less interesting, and, at base far more frightening .EG Life after death, and paradise is far more comforting (for many) than the notion that death is the end of personal existence. The comparison is often made with a dreamless sleep. That sounds fine to me; death is not an experience. However, dying often is, and I admit to being terrified of THAT.
I go to a mens group. Ages range from late 50's to 85. This week, we lost another member .Our friend was 81, had a stroke at home, with his family, around, and died. A very likeable guy, we will all miss him. A common comment after expressing sorrow, was "the lucky bastard!"--not for him the slow physical decline and death by inches of dementia, in a strange place. (nursing home) I should be so lucky.
