Live in a happy illusion or rather know the "truth" [the "truth" being whatever you can imagine] and become unhappy?
To me ... I think I'd rather live in light and know exactly what was going on. Even if I were to live in an illusion, I'd become suspicious afterawhile and question whether or not I am really this "fortunate."
the matrix has you
Happy lie. No question.
Depends how good the lie is.
I imagine I would be happy knowing the truth. I could accept it well and be able to incorporate it into my lifestyle. Not knowing is annoying. It makes me inquisitive and worried.
The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
[quote=Dreadnought]The most merciful thing in the world, I think, is the inability of the human mind to correlate all its contents. We live on a placid island of ignorance in the midst of black seas of infinity, and it was not meant that we should voyage far. The sciences, each straining in its own direction, have hitherto harmed us little; but some day the piecing together of dissociated knowledge will open up such terrifying vistas of reality, and of our frightful position therein, that we shall either go mad from the revelation or flee from the light into the peace and safety of a new dark age.
But not before you chant that whilst slashing your wrists?
thats so post-emo
As grand as knowledge is, I think I'd rather be stupid and happy.
Stfux. Lovecraft owns the skies.
I voted for the truth. Better learn it now than later when I might not be ready for it.
Whatever it is, I'd always want to know the truth.
Things are easier to deal with knowing them.
And also, the truth is always right. :D
Living a happy lie is the obvious choice for me. That's what childhood was, and when I reflect back on my childhood, things seemed much simpler back then. I was allowed to be so much more carefree, and because I was ignorant to all the suffering and tragedy in the world, I generally felt much more content. I would rather live out my entire life under a delusion that I am doing things that are meaningful, rather than be constantly aware that survival is ultimately meaningless and every day is a complete waste of time. Ignorance is bliss, and since what I value life most for is beauty, love, and happiness, maybe I should try to stay as 'blissful' as I possibly can. Maybe that's why I've chosen to create and become lost in my own furry world most of the time. It's what makes me happy.
Sans every illusion and fabrication conjured by our minds, "reality" must be a cold, empty, and utterly unattractive place. "The truth" is something I most likely will never want to be able to perceive. The more I knew of it, the harder life would be to deal with.
Reality is what you make of it.
Everything isn't as bad as you make of it, at all.
THAT is ignorance.
I prefer the truth. That's just the kind of person I am, even if it hurts me. I have few other pursuits in life.
I'd prefer to know the truth and have a sort of cathartic resignation than live a stupid, temporarily happy one. Its often the things you don't know about which swing around out of the darkness and hit you the hardest.
It kind of depends. I absolutely hate it when people arent upfront with me. Living a happy lie that everyone else can see through makes you look like somewhat of a fool, so...
depending on how big the truth (or lie) is, I choose the truth.
I would actually live the lie if I was going to be happier.
I prefer the unhappy truth. Actually, anyone who is fairly aware of the workings of our world has reason to be unhappy about it.
What makes you think that if I knew the truth I'd be unhappy? For me, the pursuit and gaining of truth makes me happy. And if it really came down to those two choices for whatever circumstances, I'd probably take the unhappy truth, because then not only would I be enlightened but I could spread my vast wisdom around to others.
Nice... a new book a need to look for.
Also, truth. Ignorance may be bliss, but that's after you give up.
...or something like that...
Know the truth And be unhappy..yes if you dont know the truth then when you know it might kill you later ...its better to know first then if you wait it will affect you more in life later..