RE: Why we believe
January 13, 2015 at 8:18 am
(This post was last modified: January 13, 2015 at 8:22 am by ManMachine.)
(January 13, 2015 at 12:52 am)Grasshopper Wrote:
There is some solid theory on 'why we believe', we actually have a pretty good handle on it.
The need to want to believe in something, to have a system of belief, is hardwired into our brains. you may have chosen Christianity as your system of belief but all around the world different peoples are choosing different systems of belief, we all need one, even atheists. Now, just to be clear on this point, we do not all need a god or a belief in the supernatural, just a system of belief.
Many people disagree with me because they like to put the cart before the horse but a belief in the truth of scientific endeavour, is a system of belief. Looking at things in this way can help define and explain what is meant when we say 'system of belief'.
We can now understand that a system of belief need not have a god of any kind; systems of belief need not appeal to the supernatural, in fact any conversation on the topic will elicit unique points of view as to what one ought, in any given opinion, to be inclined to believe in. What should be obvious to all reasonable people is that what is not important is the content of a system of belief, what is important is its function (which is perhaps a topic for another thread).
Your entire post says nothing about the function of your system of belief. It would, therefore, seem your only justifying your system of belief to yourself.
In which case you don't need my opinion, do you.
MM
"The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions" - Leonardo da Vinci
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
"I think I use the term “radical” rather loosely, just for emphasis. If you describe yourself as “atheist,” some people will say, “Don’t you mean ‘agnostic’?” I have to reply that I really do mean atheist, I really do not believe that there is a god; in fact, I am convinced that there is not a god (a subtle difference). I see not a shred of evidence to suggest that there is one ... etc., etc. It’s easier to say that I am a radical atheist, just to signal that I really mean it, have thought about it a great deal, and that it’s an opinion I hold seriously." - Douglas Adams (and I echo the sentiment)
