(May 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm)Paul the Human Wrote: Thanks. I am a strong supporter of individual liberty and that includes religion. I do not condemn anyone on a personal level until they do something to deserve my scorn. And it takes a lot usually.respec (hope you're ok with colloquial slang then)
(May 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm)Paul the Human Wrote:I was imagining a successful and involuntary delusion. One that still required faith as in this... erm... alternate reality over here. It would seem to be a placebo to us if we were aware of his being delusional. To him it would be effective belief.(May 3, 2010 at 4:08 pm)fr0d0 Wrote: If all it were a delusion, but it did actually increase measurably one's happiness quotient... this would be a valid reason to believe, no?
I suppose someone could consider that a reason to believe, but if they did... they probably don't really believe... which would interfere with the whole 'placebo effect' they were going for by choosing to delude themselves. *laughs*
I wonder if anyone believes yet also considers there to be no effect in it. I surely don't know anyone like that. If there were no effect they'd give it up I'm sure.
(May 3, 2010 at 4:33 pm)Paul the Human Wrote: It doesn't cut it as a reason for me, because I know that a happy life is quite easily attainable without a god's help. Not even a pretend one.How do you know though? Are you, in fact, deluding yourself? Is yours a reverse placebo... one intended to make you satisfied with a shit life??
