"Ishmael" Final Chapters

In this section of Quinn's "Ishmael," one of the main points that struck me was the idea of perspective, and the major effects this has on problems. Certain mindsets have caused problems, prevented solutions, and done much more. The other major issue with perspective is thinking that it cannot be changed.

During the discussion about the Cain and Abel section, Ishmael explains how the Takers believed they were right and so did the Leavers. By having the narrator attempt to persuade Ishmael in a roleplay, it became very obvious just how stiff our perspectives our. When humans believe we know the right answer, we insist that there can be no other correct way. I have heard many analogies on this way of thinking but my favorite involved some simple math. 4+2 equals six, but so does 3+3 and 5+1 and many other combinations. None are "wrong" ways to get to six, they're just different methods. And things like this occur many times in all subject areas. It does not make one any less good than the others. But for some reason, because each culture has found a method that "works," we feel that is should be the only method.

Ishmael continued on this idea of perspective when he mentioned that we feel that we cannot change, specifically when it comes to saving the world. We only understand our one lifestyle and truly cannot fathom altering it. We also believe that we cannot fix what we have done. But if only people could see and understand that this is not true, just quite difficult for us, but not impossible, then we could really begin changing for the better and making a positive impact.