Received: by alpheratz.cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk id PAA08255 (8.6.9/5.3[ref pg@gmsl.co.uk] for cpm.aca.mmu.ac.uk from fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk); Tue, 25 Sep 2001 15:59:49 +0100 From: Philip Jonkers <P.A.E.Jonkers@phys.rug.nl> X-Authentication-Warning: rugth1.phys.rug.nl: www-data set sender to jonkers@localhost using -f To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk Subject: Action is universally based on belief... Message-ID: <1001427641.3bb092b9a3640@rugth1.phys.rug.nl> Date: Tue, 25 Sep 2001 16:20:41 +0200 (CEST) References: <006f01c14553$5f1e2de0$1d25f4d8@teddace> In-Reply-To: <006f01c14553$5f1e2de0$1d25f4d8@teddace> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit User-Agent: IMP/PHP IMAP webmail program 2.2.6 X-Originating-IP: 129.125.13.3 Sender: fmb-bounces@mmu.ac.uk Precedence: bulk Reply-To: memetics@mmu.ac.uk
> > > I am a little bit dazzled here.
I can see why Kenneth...
> > > If a child is learned to have no beliefs, in casu and for
> example to be an
> > > atheist, wouldn 't it than not mean that we have learned
> this kid a believe!?
Hi all,
Every human being old enough to have to make decisions for itself
shares beliefs out of necessity. A typical decision is based
on prior belief.
Example: Little Jimmy goes out to Phil's house because they
agreed the other day to go and play today. Based on that
agreement, Jimmy *believes* that Phil's at home waiting for
Jimmy to arrive. This shows that `even' children hold beliefs....
Beliefs, in a broad sense, comprise a set of assumptions, whether
or not plausible, about the world, its workings and its inhabitants.
As you grow older, more mature, your assumptions usually become
more sophisticated, more accurate, more abundant and more
plausible. Your typical scientist is expected to develop just
that sort of virtue.
However, every human being is merely an observer whose perception
necessarily is incomplete and inherently inaccurate.
We simply are not omnipresent and omniscient, a trait strictly
reserved for gods. We *must* constantly make assumptions about
the world because we have limited evidence about how the world
really works... These assumptions are to be identified as
beliefs no less; no religion required.
As a set of beliefs, religion merely defies the slashing of
Occam's razor on that count.
With human behavior, actions are based exclusively on beliefs
since you have no (god-like) way of knowing with absolute
certainty that the basis is absolute reliable and truthful...
You assume/belief till you drop, basically and literally.
There's nothing sacred about beliefs, in fact it's a just
the basis for any mode of action. Any human enterprise is
built on belief, it's just that some are based on rather
shaky metaphysical beliefs which defy expirical backing
and wouldn't survive one well-aimed wield of Occam's razor...
Phillie...
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