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Meta-Belief

Discussion in 'Tilted Philosophy, Politics, and Economics' started by snowy, Jan 9, 2012.

  1. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    I am taking a philosophy course, and one of our homework assignments is titled "Meta-Belief." We are meant to be taking a look at our beliefs about our beliefs, and part of the assignment is to turn to others and ask them the questions we ourselves answered. Given that the course is online, it seemed appropriate to come to this community for some help. I also thought it would make an interesting discussion here. So, help me out here and take some time to answer these questions.

    *What significant beliefs do you have that you can prove?
    *What is the proof?
    *What significant beliefs do you have that you cannot prove?
    *Why can’t you prove them?
    *Is there anything that you strongly disbelieve even though others do believe it and even
    claim that they can prove it?
    *How would you be different if you stopped believing these beliefs (i.e. all of the above)

    I will share my answers after some responses, as this is meant to be like a conversation. Thanks in advance for your responses!
     
  2. Baraka_Guru

    Baraka_Guru Möderätor Staff Member

    Location:
    Toronto
    *What significant beliefs do you have that you can prove?

    I believe that attachment to pleasure is often detrimental and that happiness is relational.

    *What is the proof?

    Misery transcends class. Those with the greatest access to pleasure, and especially those who revel in it, are often found to be miserable underneath all appearances. Those who lose their wealth often become miserable. Those who are take a nonmaterialistic approach, those who can honestly say "it's just stuff," tend not to be as devastated by material loss and are happy with things such as family, safety, and health. And no amount of wealth seems to buy true happiness. Those who are genuinely happy are those who are very sociable and like to be with people, whether to enjoy their company or to help those in need. I could go into the psychology of things, but I don't think that's what you're after.

    *What significant beliefs do you have that you cannot prove?

    I believe that socialism is an essential element of a stable, happy, and thriving society.

    *Why can’t you prove them?

    There are too many variables and not enough history. There also is no realistic way to test it adequately from a scientific standpoint.

    *Is there anything that you strongly disbelieve even though others do believe it and even claim that they can prove it?

    The efficacy of trickle-down economics.

    *How would you be different if you stopped believing these beliefs (i.e. all of the above)

    I would be far more pessimistic, and likely highly materialistic.
     
  3. snowy

    snowy so kawaii Staff Member

    It's funny, I hadn't answered this question yet on paper, but in my head when I read it my gut response was "Reaganomics."

    My thoughts aren't nearly as sophisticated as yours, Baraka.

    *What significant beliefs do you have that you can prove?
    I believe that love is a very powerful force in our lives.

    *What is the proof?
    My proof is that my love for another person motivated me to change my own life significantly, and vice-versa. My evidence of this is easy to show to others, and others understand it from their own experience of love.

    *What significant beliefs do you have that you cannot prove?
    My belief in a higher power cannot be proved for certain.

    *Why can’t you prove them?
    Unlike my love for my husband, my evidence for a higher power is something I see but others may not.

    *Is there anything that you strongly disbelieve even though others do believe it and even
    claim that they can prove it?

    *How would you be different if you stopped believing these beliefs (i.e. all of the above)?
    I would be less willing to help others, I would be less healthy, I would be less happy, and I would be lonely.