Shaking of beliefs [Archive]

JetLeg

22nd February 2009, 04:15 AM

I have some beliefs, when I ask myself "Do I have a good, rational reason to believe in them", my answer is "not". However, when I ask myself "Do you still believe in them", the answer still yes. "Why"? I ask myself. An answer doesn't come.

So how do I shake off these unrational beliefs? I tried shaking my head from one side to another, since they feel literally "stuck" - doesn't work.

Fiona

22nd February 2009, 05:09 AM

Why does it bother you?

plumjam

22nd February 2009, 08:04 AM

You seem to believe in rationality. That's not rational.
Belief/faith comes first.. so don't worry about it, you had no choice.

This Guy

22nd February 2009, 10:32 AM

Perhaps you need to evaluate the evidence for and against the beliefs? Firmly determine, as best as possible anyway, if the beliefs are valid or not.

Gord_in_Toronto

22nd February 2009, 10:46 AM

You seem to believe in rationality. That's not rational.
Belief/faith comes first.. so don't worry about it, you had no choice.

:snicker:

:bunpan

Puppycow

23rd February 2009, 01:58 AM

Perhaps you need to evaluate the evidence for and against the beliefs? Firmly determine, as best as possible anyway, if the beliefs are valid or not.

Yes. I too have found this approach to be more effective than physically shaking my head. :)

FireGarden

23rd February 2009, 12:03 PM

I have some beliefs, when I ask myself "Do I have a good, rational reason to believe in them", my answer is "not". However, when I ask myself "Do you still believe in them", the answer still yes. "Why"? I ask myself.

It might help if you give some examples.

You seem to believe in rationality. That's not rational.

Dr Adequate had a line about this, once....
The assumption at the root of rationality is that we can learn from experience. Suppose we couldn't learn from experience. Then how would we learn? Or, if learning is impossible, then why debate?

Third Eye Open

23rd February 2009, 01:59 PM

You seem to believe in rationality. That's not rational.
Belief/faith comes first.. so don't worry about it, you had no choice.

So when all logical and rational arguements have failed, you attack rationality its self.

I suppose that is the next logical step. :)

kittynh

23rd February 2009, 03:15 PM

well and there should be an acceptance that about many things, what people believe has no influence over whether it is real or not.

I believe in some stuff, and as I can debate and be honest with others including skeptics about it - the challenges they give me in relation to my beliefs is essential to my knowing if I really "believe" or if it's just a habit.

Plus I put my beliefs in a very special catagory in my life. I never EVER confuse my beliefs with science. I put it down with "I like the color green the best". No reason WHY I do, I just do. But I'm not going to try to convince everyone else that the color green is the best color ever.

Roma

23rd February 2009, 03:48 PM

You can believe in something now and not believe in it later so why worry? http://www.topsmileys.net/smilies/happy0167.gif (http://www.topsmileys.net)