I totally agree that we can't choose our own beliefs.
But I think that beliefs are influenced perhaps by the many thoughts we have over a long period of time.
E.g: Outside reality influences our beliefs, other people influence our beliefs - but HOW we interpret those things influences our beliefs too.
And I think if you can't choose your beliefs (and I don't think you possibly can), and beliefs are shaped not simply by reality but how WE interpret reality; then ultimately wouldn't your thoughts just have to 'happen' as well?
What I would like to know is if how we interpret reality with out thoughts, effects our beliefs and we can't choose our beliefs; then wouldn't we have to not be able to choose our thoughts either?
Because if we could choose our thoughts and our thoughts interpret our reality; and how we interpret reality is how we choose our beliefs: then that would mean if we could choose our thoughts then we could deliberately choose to influence our own beliefs right?
Which I of course don't believe we can do.
So if we can't choose our beliefs; how could we choose our thoughts? If our thoughts interpret our reality which influences our beliefs?
Otherwise wouldn't that mean if we choose certain thoughts and this made us interpret things in a certain way - then those thoughts that we chose would influence our beliefs? Because our thoughts interpret reality which in turn influences our beliefs? And influence when swayed enough way could change a belief?
EvF
But I think that beliefs are influenced perhaps by the many thoughts we have over a long period of time.
E.g: Outside reality influences our beliefs, other people influence our beliefs - but HOW we interpret those things influences our beliefs too.
And I think if you can't choose your beliefs (and I don't think you possibly can), and beliefs are shaped not simply by reality but how WE interpret reality; then ultimately wouldn't your thoughts just have to 'happen' as well?
What I would like to know is if how we interpret reality with out thoughts, effects our beliefs and we can't choose our beliefs; then wouldn't we have to not be able to choose our thoughts either?
Because if we could choose our thoughts and our thoughts interpret our reality; and how we interpret reality is how we choose our beliefs: then that would mean if we could choose our thoughts then we could deliberately choose to influence our own beliefs right?
Which I of course don't believe we can do.
So if we can't choose our beliefs; how could we choose our thoughts? If our thoughts interpret our reality which influences our beliefs?
Otherwise wouldn't that mean if we choose certain thoughts and this made us interpret things in a certain way - then those thoughts that we chose would influence our beliefs? Because our thoughts interpret reality which in turn influences our beliefs? And influence when swayed enough way could change a belief?
EvF
