Firstly I would never identify myself as a freethinker per se , because that implies - to me at least - that I am capable at any time to formulate an opinion on any subject. Now this isn't exactly what it does mean, but free is defined as unfettered or unrestrained. It is more accurate to state that it is the acceptance of an opinion based on rational, objective means as opposed to irrational, subjective ones. But how many of us only employ the left side of our brain ? We are just as much emotional creatures as logical ones.
However I myself try to understand the world by employing logic and reason. I am probably a rationalist, that is to say that I do not believe in anything unless it can be proven. This is slightly disingenuous. It could very well be that whatever I do not believe in actually does exist and I should at the very least keep an open mind. But sometimes it is hard. I regularly deviate between believing there is no God period to the possibility of there being one, even though proof is not forthcoming. The former is rather dogmatic and the latter rather accommodating. I prefer the latter. But arguing about the existence / non-existence of God is academic since neither side can categorically demonstrate the validity of their position that will satisfy all.
But when we are referncing something which can be established by physical means, then there really is zero excuse for non-acceptance. No one can call themselves a freethinker if they, for example think the Earth is only 10,000 years old, Man and dinosaur existed simultaneously or that we do not share an ancestry with apes. For all this can be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt to be patently false. I am the world's greatest believer in taking anything and stripping it down to see if it is true or not. Nothing should be taken at face value. Nothing. Question everything including what you hold to be true to yourself. It is the only way to truly understand. And if that means having to eat humble pie, then so be it. I myself was uncompromisingly taken apart today because of my personal opinions on Hitler which some may find unacceptable. But I am glad they did that. Because now I understand more clearly. Remember no one is immune. We all are prone to error. Brutal self-analysis is the order of the day. Push yourself to the limit. And then some.
The great thing about rational sites is that they are generally populated by those with a low tolerance to nonsense, And they are the ideal place to really see how much of a freethinker one is. The intellectual capability here is probably rivalled by only one other rational site. Nevertheless. We must all strive to be as logical, rational and subjective as possible when it comes to understanding the world we live in. And if there is ambiguity or uncertainity on a particular issue, then let it be. As Frank Zappa once said : A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it isn't open. I would like to think that mine is. I fear I may have rambled off topic. Apologies, but I felt it important to get this down. It matters. Thank you.
However I myself try to understand the world by employing logic and reason. I am probably a rationalist, that is to say that I do not believe in anything unless it can be proven. This is slightly disingenuous. It could very well be that whatever I do not believe in actually does exist and I should at the very least keep an open mind. But sometimes it is hard. I regularly deviate between believing there is no God period to the possibility of there being one, even though proof is not forthcoming. The former is rather dogmatic and the latter rather accommodating. I prefer the latter. But arguing about the existence / non-existence of God is academic since neither side can categorically demonstrate the validity of their position that will satisfy all.
But when we are referncing something which can be established by physical means, then there really is zero excuse for non-acceptance. No one can call themselves a freethinker if they, for example think the Earth is only 10,000 years old, Man and dinosaur existed simultaneously or that we do not share an ancestry with apes. For all this can be demonstrated beyond reasonable doubt to be patently false. I am the world's greatest believer in taking anything and stripping it down to see if it is true or not. Nothing should be taken at face value. Nothing. Question everything including what you hold to be true to yourself. It is the only way to truly understand. And if that means having to eat humble pie, then so be it. I myself was uncompromisingly taken apart today because of my personal opinions on Hitler which some may find unacceptable. But I am glad they did that. Because now I understand more clearly. Remember no one is immune. We all are prone to error. Brutal self-analysis is the order of the day. Push yourself to the limit. And then some.
The great thing about rational sites is that they are generally populated by those with a low tolerance to nonsense, And they are the ideal place to really see how much of a freethinker one is. The intellectual capability here is probably rivalled by only one other rational site. Nevertheless. We must all strive to be as logical, rational and subjective as possible when it comes to understanding the world we live in. And if there is ambiguity or uncertainity on a particular issue, then let it be. As Frank Zappa once said : A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it isn't open. I would like to think that mine is. I fear I may have rambled off topic. Apologies, but I felt it important to get this down. It matters. Thank you.
A MIND IS LIKE A PARACHUTE : IT DOES NOT WORK UNLESS IT IS OPEN
