Mythopoesis is a fancy-pants word for something we experience all the time but rarely notice. The generative human capacity to construct meaning, stories, symbols, and conceptual frameworks that shape perception, behavior, and reality.
Obviously, this is a critical ability! Without it, there would be no numbers, letters, governments, train schedules, Javascript.
The thing is: these are myths. Epistemological myths are the ones that describe what knowledge is and who has it. They have power and can recursively constrain and distort knowledge.
Humans happily operate in and reinforce these myths, whether they are based in reality or not. Whether they are serving us well or not. (if you are thinking "I don't do that" ... oh, my friend, I have some swamp land in Florida to sell you.)
A delusion is a false belief, judgment, or perception. Because we are very good at mythopoesis, we inadvertently reinforce delusions about knowledge that block knowledge flow.
In other words, the call is coming from inside the house.
Delusions are difficult to see because they are often somewhat true, under some circumstances. Whether by systemic design, valid science, or personal preferences. They shape what comes to mind.
As knowledge workers we are responsible for our cognitive dissonance. The delusions we reinforce are not sacrosanct simply because we agreed on them.
Today, you will act on and reinforce epistemological myths and never question them. So will I! If you want to experience the flow of knowledge, illuminating them is a never-ending practice.
Epistemological myths are not harmless. They reinforce cultural norms that maintain control over "other people".
But we can change them. After all, humans are making this up as we go along!
Paths →
Truths →
Practices →
