Useful?
Let’s define “useful” as whatever ultimately helps you do what you need to do, be who you want to be, or feel at peace.
The word “ultimately” is there as a reminder of long-term consequences.
Is it more useful to make others see your point of view, or make yourself see theirs?
Is it more useful to think you’re right, or to consider other perspectives?
Is it more useful to make your life easier, or make yourself stronger?
Is it ultimately more useful to benefit only yourself, or benefit others?
It depends on who you want to be and what helps you feel at peace.
This is one of the cornerstones of the book. It is undoubtedly an interesting perspective, but it leaves many questions. What should one do if one cannot determine "what you need to do" or "who you want to be" or "what helps you feel at peace"? To what extent should one balance individual purpose, identity and peace alongside that of others? And how long should one spend thinking about those things before one decides, for instance, what colour of toothbrush to buy? This is something I need to reflect on.