Imaginary Realities

Abstract Why do people think such strange things and believe such bizarre ideologies and behave in such peculiar and irrational ways? Why does it often seem that many people are motivated and inspired by false beliefs that inspire actions that are shocking and often disruptive and destructive, to themselves and others? Imaginary Realities is devoted to answering these questions. Imaginary realities are the various ways that we transform and distort reality in order to make it more comprehensible and to enable us to believe we have some degree of understanding and control over what happens to us. They have many damaging consequences, but they soothe our many anxieties and they promote social bonds and cooperation within groups. They promote moral egoism, our tendency to view ourselves or our group as on the side of the angels in any conflict They are often the basis of joy because they are the basis of group festivals and they can transform a harsh reality into something we can not only endure but celebrate. Imaginary realities are the basis of most humor, in the form of disparagement humor that ridicules other persons or groups, or as subversive humor that undermines the imaginary realities of people who hold power. Although imaginary realities are in some ways psychologically beneficial, they also pose many threats in the present and future. Three areas of threats discussed in the final chapter are ecological destruction, artificial intelligence, and lifespan extension through genetic and biomedical interventions.