142 A Programmer’s Guide to the Mind
Finally, we conclude that no one is born rational. Depressing, isn‟t it?
Rather, we are all raised in a state of semi-hypnosis, with Perceiver
strategy mesmerized by the emotional status of our elders. Therefore,
before we can even begin to reprogram Perceiver thought, we have to help
the Perceiver „observer‟ snap out of its trance and think for itself. Learning
to think was a major step for me as a Perceiver person. It took some time
for me to realize in particular that I could use Perceiver logic to examine
cultural assumptions.
It is interesting to note that these four conclusions directly contradict
the implicit assumptions of modern Western educational theory. First, it
thinks that learning begins with a clean slate—a tabula rasa. Second, it
assumes that teaching facts to children will make them educated. Third, it
treats culture with great respect and never dares to question its 'absolutes.'
Fourth, it asserts that every individual is inherently rational. Does this
approach work? We discover the answer whenever we examine the
products of our schools.