“Manifesting” and A Flawed Argument Against it

post 39 – Illogical Nation No. 1

Hello Friends,

I am starting a new thread on “Looking for America” called “Illogical Nation.”  Why? Because I can’t help myself.  Because understanding logic is part of who I am and what makes me tick.  Perhaps these articles will illuminate some of the values and beliefs embedded in my song lyrics and concert performances.   

MY BACKGROUND IN LOGIC

For over 20 years, I have taught future lawyers how to think.  That’s a snarky way of saying I taught prep classes for taking the Law School Admissions Test –a.k.a. the LSAT.  The test relies heavily on understanding and critiquing logical arguments.  As a reward for my efforts, I have been cursed with the inability to ignore logical flaws in almost every argument I hear.  Some of these logical flaws are so pervasive in our society that they can change the course of our personal and collective histories. 

Sometimes I agree with a conclusion, but not for the reasons given for it.  Other times, in my estimation, I see people hurt themselves, or miss opportunities because their decision-making process is flawed.  I see people miss the potential benefits of considering certain choices that just about everybody else rules out.  On top of all of this, too often I see society make bad choices, unaware of how logically ridiculous they are.

Good logic, of course, is not the only way to reach a good decision.  A person can still reach a good decision even using bad logic.  And there are good reasons other than logic to make certain decisions.  A good decision can be made based on how important it is to someone you love.  Maybe it just feels right and you trust your feelings.  Or you may agree to go along with a decision for the sake of harmony.   These are all good reasons.  But, it is dangerous when a good decision is made based on bad logic because people may mistakenly try to employ that same bad logic in the future and get burned.   

WHAT IS “MANIFESTING”?

“Manifesting” is a practice based on the belief that, through focused attention, you can manifest what you put your attention on.  Positive thoughts can bring positive things into your life.  The formula is to have a clear vision of what you desire, act “as if” the desired outcome has already occurred, and keep positive thoughts about it.  It is also believed that negative thoughts can bring negative things into your life.

BAD REASONS TO CONCLUDE “MANIFESTING” IS “DELUDED LOGIC”

This past March, the New York Times ran an opinion piece titled, “The Long, Strange History of Manifesting.”  The piece was written by Tara Isabella Burton, the author of “Self-Made: Creating Our Identities From da Vinci to the Kardashians.”  Burton concludes that “manifesting” is essentially a bunch of hogwash.  But there are two big problems with her argument.  The evidence she uses may be true, but it does not logically lead to her conclusion.

Burton traces the historical roots of “manifesting” to the New Thought movement of the 19^th century and points out some of its downsides.  One downside is the belief that if people can manifest what they want in their lives, then it must be true that people who live in poverty bring it upon themselves.  Bad things happen to people because they fail to think positively.  It gets worse.  “New Thoughters” argued back then that the reason people failed to think positively was because they were lazy, unimaginative, or in other ways inferior. 

Coupling New Thought with Darwin’s survival-of-the-fittest theory emerging around the same time, it became acceptable for society to leave less fortunate people behind and let the stronger, more industrious people prosper.  A general sense pervaded society that relief programs only rewarded laziness and inferiority.  Sound familiar?

HERE’S THE PROBLEM

Burton tells us that because manifesting descends from New Thought, and because New Thought was misused, it must be true today that manifesting is just a new form of “the same deluded logic.”

But just because an idea has been used to hurt others doesn’t mean the idea is wrong.  For example, many “news” programs promote false stories. But that doesn’t mean it is deluded logic to believe news programs can be used honestly to inform the public. Also, there are all kinds of scams in the field of alternative health.  But that doesn’t mean you’re crazy to believe that properly using some alternative remedies can help cure certain ailments.

A SECOND PROBLEM

Burton further says “If reality is only ever what we make it, then those who possess the fewest scruples about conforming to the truth are the ones who will have the most power to shape the future.”

The problem here is the word “only.”  Her statement, by itself, may or may not be true.  And I would suggest we all beware of scam artists who tell us “This investment is the only way to get rich,” “This remedy is the only way to cure this ailment,” or “I alone can fix” our problems.

But I have not met any “manifesters” who claim that what we think is the only cause of reality.  Instead, I hear them claim that thinking the right way can alter the circumstances of our lives. 

THE TAKEAWAY

So, here’s my point. Tara Burton’s conclusion that “manifesting” is “deluded logic” may, or may not, be correct.  (I’ll share my opinion on that in a future post.)  But the flaws she makes are dangerous.  It can benefit us to remember:

* Just because an idea can be misused does not mean the idea is wrong.

* Claiming that a certain practice can change your circumstances is not the same as claiming that practice is the only thing that determines your circumstances.

I have more to say about manifesting.  But this is enough for today.

Keep the Flame Alive!