Not sure exactly which forum this goes in but I guess it fits here just as well as any of the others.
I'm not talking specifically about religious beliefs, although religious beliefs are a good example of this.
What got me thinking about this question was a recent news story which is discussed in this thread. This is an example other than religion. The man is a biologist who apparently doesn't believe that viruses exist. He offered a reward of 100,000 euros to anyone who could prove that measles is caused by a virus. So, a doctor amassed evidence and presented it to him. He dismissed the evidence. So the doctor sued and a court of law has determined that the evidence presented is indeed proof and has ordered the biologist to pay up. Still, he disputes it and is appealing, claiming that measles is "psychosomatic" and caused by "traumatic separations".
Some people, I think, can change their beliefs based on new evidence, but it seems that many, perhaps even most, have at least some beliefs which they will not change for any reason.
I also notice that, even on this forum, once somebody takes a position, they very rarely admit to making a mistake if someone else points it out. Sometimes they simply ignore it. Others will respond with endless rebuttals, but will never admit to being wrong about anything. A simple "You're right; I was wrong" or something to that effect is exceedingly rare. Most posters never concede anything. Clearly we can't all be right all of the time.
I'm not talking specifically about religious beliefs, although religious beliefs are a good example of this.
What got me thinking about this question was a recent news story which is discussed in this thread. This is an example other than religion. The man is a biologist who apparently doesn't believe that viruses exist. He offered a reward of 100,000 euros to anyone who could prove that measles is caused by a virus. So, a doctor amassed evidence and presented it to him. He dismissed the evidence. So the doctor sued and a court of law has determined that the evidence presented is indeed proof and has ordered the biologist to pay up. Still, he disputes it and is appealing, claiming that measles is "psychosomatic" and caused by "traumatic separations".
Some people, I think, can change their beliefs based on new evidence, but it seems that many, perhaps even most, have at least some beliefs which they will not change for any reason.
I also notice that, even on this forum, once somebody takes a position, they very rarely admit to making a mistake if someone else points it out. Sometimes they simply ignore it. Others will respond with endless rebuttals, but will never admit to being wrong about anything. A simple "You're right; I was wrong" or something to that effect is exceedingly rare. Most posters never concede anything. Clearly we can't all be right all of the time.
Aucun commentaire:
Enregistrer un commentaire