Inquiring mind

originally posted by: coomba98
a reply to: namelesss

Hay nameless,

Hey coomba98 *__-

I think Akragon was getting at things like this.
(Ill put in question format)

Do you believe that science is the way to go?

No.
I have no beliefs.
Science is pragmatic in certain circumstances.
The Way that we are going, is the Way to go!
Perfection is Here! Now!

Do you believe the moon exists?

No. My experience is that the moon exists.
My experience is that everything exists.

Do you believe xmas is 25th December #$@#?

Nope. But it keeps falling on that date, so statistically, I can tentatively accept it.

Do you believe the sun exists?

Already answered. My experience, philosophy, etc... supports the tentative theory that 'everything exists'!

Facts can be beliefs.

"New study of the brain shows that facts and beliefs are processed in exactly the same way."

www.newsweek.com...

I think you maybe thinking about faith.

Nope.

You are faithless??
(Dont take that the wrong way as its not a negative comment)

Nope. *__-
Faith is an unconditional Virtue of unconditional Love.

Faith is knowing that sometimes we get what we want, but we ALWAYS get exactly what we need!
Experience always in support of Faith.
Always growing in Love/Faith..

"Do not believe in anything
simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions
simply because they have been handed
down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is found written in your
religious books.
Do not believe in anything
merely on the authority of your teachers
and elders.
But when, after observation and analysis,
you find anything that agrees with reason,
and is conducive to the good and benefit
of one and all,
then accept it and live up to it.
-- The Buddha's Kalama Sutra

originally posted by: namelesss
To be fair, the same can be said of many scientists! *__-

Scientists that treat their belief system the same as objective fact? Is that new, because I sure haven't seen it aside from the few oddballs. Based on my observations, they are usually good at separating their work from their personal beliefs.

I do understand what you are getting at, though, based on your other posts. It's definitely interesting to ponder about.

It makes me wonder, however, if that study might be flawed. Are beliefs processed the same as facts because the individual strongly thinks they are true? If so, then that's normal. But I'd like to see some comparisons to people who are agnostic or take guesses at random things they don't feel super strongly about (rather than core beliefs).

a reply to: namelesss

You aren't saying anything new or insightful. It's the same tired old (and debunked) rehash of postmodern relativism.

Sorry, but your opinions and beliefs are not on equal standing as hard evidence. Literally every piece of technology you are using right now (including this very device you are reading my words on) is a product of this evidence. Feel-good new agey wishy-washy "revealed truths" and relativism may be philosophically comforting to those who hold beliefs that defy reality but they never built no semiconductor, measured the mass of an electron, calculated the trajectory paths for navigating the solar system with robots, etc.

a reply to: GetHyped

What's your problem GetHyped? I'm glad you build semiconductor's and all those things, but not everyone shares your religion and has to perform those sacred rites.

a reply to: namelesss

Namelesss.

Facts help with beliefs yes.

To believe the moon and sun exists is a belief.

A true belief yet a belief none the less.

Coomba98

originally posted by: Barcs
It makes me wonder, however, if that study might be flawed. Are beliefs processed the same as facts because the individual strongly thinks they are true?

A 'fact' is only considered a 'fact' (aka 'truth') by someone/Perspective that is willing to consider it so.
A religious person might consider the 'fact' of God creating everything demonstrated in a simple stone. To him, it is an evidenced, if not 'proven', 'fact'.
Same can be said of 'proof'! Only if someone is willing to accept the variables and assumptions can he accept something as 'truth'/'proof'.
Science doesn't 'prove', it disproves.
A 'belief' is a pathologically symptomatic infection of 'thought'.
One accepts it as 'truth' (depending on the severity of the infection), 'fact', 'proven'!
The greater the 'belief', the less available to critical examination (philosophical inquiry).
We identify!! with our thoughts. Thought = ego!
Belief = insanity.

If so, then that's normal. But I'd like to see some comparisons to people who are agnostic or take guesses at random things they don't feel super strongly about (rather than core beliefs).

'Feelings' are thoughts, also.
Thoughts plus the appropriate feelings (= beliefs) = we will kill to defend that figment/mirage with which we identify.

Science doesn't 'believe', unless our scientists are not philosophers (most, obviously), and do not have the ability to properly critically examine their assumptions!
To knee-jerkily have to defend an assumption is a symptom of a belief.
A simple thought has nothing invested, emotionally, that it cannot be examined and changed, if necessary.
Beliefs/facts/the 'proven', not so easy.

So, philosophically, at least, the premises of the study seem supportable.

a reply to: polarboarder

There was a meme that gave a decent breakdown of The Matrix, but I haven't been able to find it, so I'll paraphrase:

And standing there, facing the pure horrifying precision, I came to realize the obviousness of the truth. What is the Matrix? Control...

The Matrix is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth... That you are a slave... Like everyone else you were born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind...

The Matrix is a computer generated dream world, built to keep us under control in order to change a human being into this: $$$

originally posted by: namelesss

originally posted by: coomba98
a reply to: namelesss

Hay nameless,

Hey coomba98 *__-

I think Akragon was getting at things like this.
(Ill put in question format)

Do you believe that science is the way to go?

No.
I have no beliefs.
Science is pragmatic in certain circumstances.
The Way that we are going, is the Way to go!
Perfection is Here! Now!

Do you believe the moon exists?

No. My experience is that the moon exists.
My experience is that everything exists.

Do you believe xmas is 25th December #$@#?

Nope. But it keeps falling on that date, so statistically, I can tentatively accept it.

Do you believe the sun exists?

Already answered. My experience, philosophy, etc... supports the tentative theory that 'everything exists'!

Facts can be beliefs.

"New study of the brain shows that facts and beliefs are processed in exactly the same way."

www.newsweek.com...

I think you maybe thinking about faith.

Nope.

You are faithless??
(Dont take that the wrong way as its not a negative comment)

Nope. *__-
Faith is an unconditional Virtue of unconditional Love.

Faith is knowing that sometimes we get what we want, but we ALWAYS get exactly what we need!
Experience always in support of Faith.
Always growing in Love/Faith..

"Do not believe in anything
simply because you have heard it.
Do not believe in traditions
simply because they have been handed
down for many generations.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is spoken and rumored by many.
Do not believe in anything
simply because it is found written in your
religious books.
Do not believe in anything
merely on the authority of your teachers
and elders.
But when, after observation and analysis,
you find anything that agrees with reason,
and is conducive to the good and benefit
of one and all,
then accept it and live up to it.
-- The Buddha's Kalama Sutra

So if you believe in nothing, wouldn't that still be believing? ie, cause you believe in nothing is your belief.