Formulating the problem I: General reflections

To define the problem, the question, defining the outlines of the appearance of reality can be a disturbingly efficient exertion of power.

I think that even people who aren’t in the slightest inclined to relativist thinking would agree to this. And they seem to do so since they usually tend to believe in the notion of true or false; in a certain (to me) repugnant, almost platonic sense. And thus believe that things can appear in false way, and that a quibbler can use sneaky sophistic ways to make the false ostensible appear to be true.

This is not what I’m referring to at all, I’m talking about the effects in a different, non-essentialist way. The definition of the problem actually shapes the way that the reality is perceived, and the course that the future will set out for us.

For example; is the problem the criminality and violence amongst immigrant youths?

Or is the problem sited within the structures of the homogenously biased nation state, rendering these youths outsiders acting in despair?

Or is there really a problem with the criminality and violence amongst immigrant kids, or is this a trait actually better understood as youth-problem rather than something connected to a certain culture?

Depending on the question you get very disparate battlegrounds and courses of action.

More specific on a more personal level we are all concerned by the way we formulate our problems and define our own reality. This is also one of the combat zones were power is imperceptibly exerted between lovers and friends, in the struggle over the right definition.

Yet again; To define the problem, the question, defining the outlines of the appearance of reality can be a disturbingly efficient exertion of power. But my main point here is not the power of definitions in relation to others,- but rather how you risk to put your self in mental shackles if you define your problems negligently, or carelessly accepts someone else’s definition of yourself or your problems.

We are constantly looking for meaning, finding meaning, creating meaning, acceding our lives into the meaning created.

Hopefully we do it in a way that keeps us open-minded and happy instead of dense and unhappy, dwelling on the wrongs of the past while we’re harping on the same mistuned string.