Why do so many people feel a need to believe?

[Dejarma]

Isn't it fascinating that after 100 thousand/ 200 thousand years (debatable) of modern man on this planet, yet anything, what one might class as supernatural has never been proved to exist?:

Aliens on this planet, gods, spirits, ghosts, bigfoot etc etc..... the list can go on.

Because of this surely the logical conclusion can only be none of it is real!?

 

 

 

[Will Due]

 

The real question is:

Why do so few people feel a need to disbelieve?

 

 

[Cho Jinn]

54 minutes ago, Dejarma said:

Isn't it fascinating that after 100 thousand/ 200 thousand years (debatable) of modern man on this planet, yet anything, what one might class as supernatural has never been proved to exist?:

Aliens on this planet, gods, spirits, ghosts, bigfoot etc etc..... the list can go on.

Because of this surely the logical conclusion can only be none of it is real!?

Can you clean this up?  Maybe define your terms, like supernatural, or ghost, or even gods.  If your point is "we don't have IG video of Ganesh driving a tuk tuk in Mubai, therefore..." I am unsure you are setting up a logical conclusion here.  Maybe pick one (1) item and start there.

[Dejarma]

1 minute ago, Cho Jinn said:

Can you clean this up?

no

[ChrLzs]

I think the general principles apply, so there's no need to point to just one of those things.  For the purposes of this thread, I think it is wise to bundle them..

Some of us live out our dull meaningless lives, only believing in things for which there is irrefutable evidence.  Sad? Nope, read on..  And I mean evidence in a scientific context, not in the legal one where you can be convicted of something just on someone's word...  In science, that will never do.

And strangely, in that dull meaningless life that us 'skeptics' (for want of a better word..) live in, we find immense beauty and wonder and even spirituality in our real, natural, complex universe.  Science comes up with solutions for every mystery, eventually, and if observations ever prove the existing accepted solution as incorrect - it changes!  That's what science is designed to do - isn't that amazing - what an awesome system..  So frinstance, if there is ever solid evidence for spirits from another dimension, or aliens from another galaxy do come and visit, or Nessie is real, etc etc.. Science will throw it's hands up gleefully and say "We've learnt something new!!"

But do think about it.  As time passes, we are becoming better at how we investigate stuff.  Better at sharing information, better monitoring equipment, better cameras in almost everyone's hands, I could go on for hours.............. which aligns to DJ's point about the centuries that have passed since some of the beliefs began.  I guess people just like to feel special and different..

But every mystery ever solved.. has turned out not to be magic.

 

(With apologies to Tim Minchin, for stealing his words...)

[Dejarma]

1 hour ago, Will Due said:

 

The real question is:

Why do so few people feel a need to disbelieve?

 

 

you're answering a question with a question.. in a debate that's not good... but no worries, carry on😉

Answer your own question:

Why do so few people feel a need to disbelieve?

Edited January 20 by Dejarma

[Dejarma]

11 minutes ago, ChrLzs said:

But every mystery ever solved.. has turned out not to be magic.

yeah like Spontaneous human combustion

[ChrLzs]

15 minutes ago, Dejarma said:

yeah like Spontaneous human combustion

I was actually quite scared of that back when I was about 10 yrs old, and then rather annoyed a few years later when I discovered the proper analysis.

[Dejarma]

10 minutes ago, ChrLzs said:

I was actually quite scared of that back when I was about 10 yrs old, and then rather annoyed a few years later when I discovered the proper analysis.

same here but regarding Spontaneous human combustion the data involved real physical evidence that science could look at.

Science didn't take time effort to look into <stories of Spontaneous human combustion> which everything of this nature is based on- as I'm sure you'll agree 😉

Edited January 20 by Dejarma

[Alex_Rogan]

should all references to/of science be prefaced with "according to our current understanding..."?

Is science actually just another belief system?

[Dejarma]

5 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

should all references to/of science be prefaced with "according to our current understanding..."?

Is science actually just another belief system?

what do you think- is it?

Edit to add:

sorry I've realized I've just answered a question with a question.. My apologies..

Science works with facts is my reply 😉 
 

Edited January 20 by Dejarma

[Alex_Rogan]

2 minutes ago, Dejarma said:

what do you think- is it?

I believe it's possible, according to my current understanding. 

lol?

[Dejarma]

7 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

I believe it's possible, according to my current understanding. 

current understanding of what? what is it you currently understand? just out of interest 😉

[Alex_Rogan]

To humbly answer the question in the title "why do so many people feel a need to believe", I would offer that people feel a deeply rooted need for answers to things that cannot be explained. Perhaps the unexplained makes people generally uncomfortable. The ways people employ to find answers is fascinating, the way it ranges from complicated rationale to outlandish fantasy. It really may be a question of psychology and human nature. I also suppose some believe in things to get attention or be a part of a group, appealing to the ego. It really is a complicated question that gets me thinking. Thank you.

[ChrLzs]

18 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

should all references to/of science be prefaced with "according to our current understanding..."?

Not really required - it's just part of the process.  Belief and faith are based on rejecting measurable observations for the sake of the belief.

Science adjusts itself but ONLY to take into account new evidence or observations.  But before you say that makes it the same as a belief system, you should probably look up the term "axiom".  Can you agree that there are axioms, held to be so well-proven or self evident, as to be 'utterly' true?  Science starts there and builds upon it

18 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

Is science actually just another belief system?

No.  Science always has to adjust as new information and wisdom comes to light.  A good example is Newtonian physics.  The 'theories' that underpinned it were simple and good and accurate.  It's only when you get up towards light speeds that those theories showed inaccuracies, so Relativity took over as the new 'accepted' theory.  For all normal calculations, Newton's stuff was fine, but as soon as near light speeds were being measured new theories were required, and provided.

So yes, if you like, that's 'current understanding' at work.

 

[Dejarma]

4 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

It really is a complicated question that gets me thinking. Thank you.

for me it's not  complicated at all= belief in the supernatural in all it's different shapes & forms is pathetic & stupid.. Weak people feel a need to believe this crap In_My_Opinion

[Alex_Rogan]

38 minutes ago, Dejarma said:

Science works with facts is my reply 😉 

 

I still suggest that science is a belief system. The facts may change at any time with new revelations. Isn't that an accepted aspect of science? There seems to be a form of faith and belief occurring in science regarding the current understanding of facts. I'm not for or against any belief system. I'm just an idiot observing and trying to engage in the conversation whenever the mood or humor strikes. 

[Alchopwn]

3 hours ago, Dejarma said:

Isn't it fascinating that after 100 thousand/ 200 thousand years (debatable) of modern man on this planet, yet anything, what one might class as supernatural has never been proved to exist?:

Aliens on this planet, gods, spirits, ghosts, bigfoot etc etc..... the list can go on.

Because of this surely the logical conclusion can only be none of it is real!?

That's easy.  Some of us have seen the things.    We are doing everyone else a service by sticking to our guns.  These things are out there.  Just because science hasn't found all of them yet, doesn't mean they don't exist.  Except for God.  Who knows what God is supposed to be?  Nobody can even offer me a definition of God.

[Alex_Rogan]

@Alchopwn

This is entirely off-topic, please pardon me. I've been waiting for a chance to say how your screen name amuses me. It is cleverly awesome on so many levels. Cracks me up every time I see it. Well done.

[eight bits]

Quote

Why do so many people feel a need to believe?

Because on many questions that arise, we lack sufficient information to know, and because for some questions, we lack the cmputing power to process the information we have before the deadline for action.

I think uncertainty is therefore inevitable and that it is inevitable that in the presence of uncertainty, people will disagree about what is the truth.

What I think you are asking is why so many people feel a need to believe things you don't. As @Alchopwn pointed out, experience is a factor. I would say that both in the sense that some people have had experiences that you haven't and also in the sense that different people will sometimes interpret similar experiences differently.

I also sense a lot of affect on your part that some people disagree with you. I can't help with you with that.

On two points arising: this is a discussion forum, not necessarily a debate forum, and it is perfectly fine to respond to a question with a question about what information is sought. A valid complaint against @Will Due's Baby Yodaisms is that he sticks a question mark after a vacuous play on words and hopes that the punctuation makes up for the emptiness.

Oh, and speaking of hope, many people conflate hope with belief. I don't know why.

Edited January 20 by eight bits

[Alchopwn]

42 minutes ago, Alex_Rogan said:

@Alchopwn

This is entirely off-topic, please pardon me. I've been waiting for a chance to say how your screen name amuses me. It is cleverly awesome on so many levels. Cracks me up every time I see it. Well done.

Thanks Alex.  I felt the same way when I first came up with my user name.  The joke just dawned on me one day when I was reading quotes from Al Capone.  I ran with it.  I love a good joke.  Incidentally the catch phrase "Public service is my motto" is actually a quote from Al Capone.

Edited January 20 by Alchopwn

[XenoFish]

Beliefs are the filters through which we perceive and interpret the world. There is what is, then there is what we wish it to be.

[Will Due]

11 hours ago, Dejarma said:

Answer your own question:

Why do so few people feel a need to disbelieve?

 

Few people feel a need to disbelieve because by far, most people are sensible enough to not think of themselves as a being of brilliant light.

 

 

[+Sherapy]

12 hours ago, Will Due said:

 

The real question is:

Why do so few people feel a need to disbelieve?

 

 

The question of disbelief or belief in the UB, or a god construct, is deeply rooted in individual perspectives, cultural influences, personal interpretations, and preferred outlooks. 

Will, the need to believe or disbelieve in a god construct is driven by a range of factors, those with a more rationalist or naturalistic worldview feel less compelled to believe claims of gods in the absence of empirical evidence. Some individuals find a sense of purpose, community, and comfort in religious or spiritual beliefs, while others find the same meaning from humanistic or secular worldviews.

For you, the UB gives you meaning, for others, it doesn’t. We are all adults with the autonomy to decide what works best for us based on our own preferences and needs.

Beyond that the golden yummy is to work at expanding empathy which is a viable and a meaningful pursuit, regardless of belief in god constructs or not. By cultivating empathy, you can enhance your own understanding of others' experiences, build better connections, and contribute to a more compassionate and inclusive discussion. Here are some practical ways to expand empathy: Take the time to just listen to others without judgment. Put yourself in someone else's shoes and imagine their situation or emotions, this helps foster a greater sense of understanding and empathy. By working on this you can foster a greater sense of empathy, it might even lead to improved relationships and a more compassionate approach to understanding and addressing topics. 

Edited January 20 by Sherapy

[+Sherapy]

11 minutes ago, Will Due said:

 

Few people feel a need to disbelieve because by far, most people are sensible enough to not think of themselves as a being of brilliant light.

 

 

Will it sounds like you have a deep personal need for self worth, identity and belonging. And, seeing yourself as a brilliant light has helped? The UB gives you the space to explore your beliefs in a way that affirm your sense of worth, I am happy for you. For the rest of us with the freedom of adulthood comes the responsibility and autonomy to make choices that align with our own beliefs too. 
 

It really is an empathy thing on your end. No one needs to believe the same way, Will.