On Reason, Mirrors, and the Warped Ruler

Why everyone thinks they’re reasonable — and what it really means to be seen?

At the beginning of his Discourse on the Method, Descartes says:

“Speaking of reason — or bon sens (common sense) — is more delightful to me than anything else, because nothing in the world has been distributed more equally; for everyone believes they possess it to the fullest extent.”— René Descartes, Discourse on the Method

Isn’t that just hilarious? The only thing humans seem universally content with is the amount of reason they’ve been given.

Everyone thinks they have enough — or even above average — intelligence, because there’s no reliable ruler for directly and accurately comparing reason.

The unaware lack the skill to realize their unawareness and usually overestimate themselves, because they simply can’t comprehend thought deeper than their own.The intelligent, meanwhile, feel a kind of distance from others, and that gap can sometimes breed arrogance — or disconnection.

And because most people move through life within socially defined paths, the discontent they feel about their lives is rarely linked to a lack of intellect. They mostly chalk it up to external conditions and dream of more money, property, and comfort, not more wisdom.

No one ever says: “God, please give me more reason!”

Because reason isn’t something whose absence is viscerally felt, unlike money, health, or comfort. Perhaps the reason everyone is content with their own intellect is because no one can truly imagine what it’s like to think with more.

People accept being poorer, less attractive, or less lucky than others with much more ease than they accept being less intelligent. Because intellect is the tool we use to measure everything, even ourselves. So if the tool itself is flawed, how would we know? It’s like using a warped ruler to measure everything and never realizing the ruler is bent. Isn’t that exactly the moment where the gap between self-perception and reality begins?

The mirror of Self

Could this “universal satisfaction with our own intellect” be the greatest survival defense mechanism society has ever built? A delusion of adequacy that keeps the whole structure standing.

And if we assume the person who can clearly see this gap is truly intelligent — then what stops that intelligence from turning into arrogance or a sense of superiority? To what extent must empathy come into play in those moments? How deep can the wounds go that are inflicted by compassion and empathy ? Does recognizing this gap automatically bring responsibility?

Is it the duty of the aware to share how they think with others?Just like Descartes, who viewed doubt as the direct product of thought — leading to awareness.

Perhaps the first step is to look at our own minds in the mirror of others. And if someday, someone comes along who truly sees a person—as that person sees themselves— would it be hard to accept such a gaze?

Could accepting to be seen from an equal perspective be the first crack in the warped ruler? Maybe what heals the bent ruler isn’t more reason, but a mirror that looks at us with love.

Not from above.

Not from below.

But from within.

And maybe that’s the real task of being aware: To create a mirror for another.

If I feel that mirror in someone else’s eyes — even with all my doubts, why should I only be the mirror? Maybe I should cry out:

“Your eyes are the poem, your eyes are the poet!” Don’t take your eyes away from me…