Template: Psychology Week 11 Discussion

On page 114 of the course book, Geshe Tashi writes:

“In his Drop of Reasoning Dharmakirti states that valid cognition is a prerequisite for the fulfilment of all human purposes.  There is no use looking for fulfilment and happiness in anything if it stems from a mistaken mind, because sooner or later suffering will result.”

Here, Geshe la explains that Dharmakirti is particularly referring to deep levels of mistaken cognition, such as seeing others through the lens of self-interest and seeing phenomena through the distortion of self-existence.

What is your view on valid cognition being a “prerequisite for the fulfilment of all human purposes”?

Do you agree that seeing things through the lens of self-interest is necessarily a mistaken way of seeing the world, one that will lead to suffering?  Or is this way of seeing perhaps a necessary part of being an evolved human, as our culture tells us?

Giving examples or illustrations from your direct experience, please share your thoughts.