(March 9, 2011 at 10:09 am)theVOID Wrote: Proof? Or evidence?
Proof. Evidence is merely a precursor to proof.
(March 9, 2011 at 10:09 am)theVOID Wrote: Are you saying you don't feel justified in believing anything without them?
Not quite. If I have a good reason to believe that proof of something is forthcoming or obtainable, I will feel justified in believing something. However, my belief in that thing will not be complete, so to speak, until there is proof of that thing. In other words, I don't believe in aliens in the same way that I believe that turning the key in my ignition will start my truck. I believe in both, but my belief is different. As for the former, my belief is based on probability. However, I know that is not proof. Therefore, if someone argues the point, I don't feel justified in thinking them a lunatic (unless their argument is god, of course). As for the latter, I have seen it happen. I know how the mechanism works. It cannot be argued. Therefore, if someone argues the point, I find them to be daft.
(I hope that was clear. I slept three hours and feel like I might be speaking gibberish.)
