Schools of thought II

[xoxoxoBruce]

Everything you're taught, or even think up on your own, you have an opportunity to verify to be true or not later on. If that opportunity doesn't present itself, then the thought doesn't matter.

Much of what we "know", of what we "believe" to be true, doesn't mean shit anyway. I believe the creek behind my house to be polluted. True or not, it doesn't make any difference in my life. If it did, I'd make an effort to verify it.

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Everything you're taught, or even think up on your own, you have an opportunity to verify to be true or not later on. If that opportunity doesn't present itself, then the thought doesn't matter.

Much of what we "know", of what we "believe" to be true, doesn't mean shit anyway. I believe the creek behind my house to be polluted. True or not, it doesn't make any difference in my life. If it did, I'd make an effort to verify it.

I couldn't disagree more. People start wars over stuff they believe to be "true." It'd be nice if folks would investigate the facts ahead of time.

We are all bound by certain ways of seeing the world. These are things that depend on both our culture and the the age we live in. 1,000 years ago I would KNOW the world is flat, and that the sun and stars orbited the earth.

I am sure that we have many ways of looking at our world today which are just as misguided.

At the end of the day, al we can do is our best to be open. One thing for sure, the things which inflame us most are probably the things that contain the puzzle that own existence most compels us to resolve.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by SamIam

I couldn't disagree more. People start wars over stuff they believe to be "true." It'd be nice if folks would investigate the facts ahead of time.

Isn't an impending war an opportunity to verify the truth? Seems to me that's close to the ultimate time to check.

We are all bound by certain ways of seeing the world. These are things that depend on both our culture and the the age we live in. 1,000 years ago I would KNOW the world is flat, and that the sun and stars orbited the earth.

I am sure that we have many ways of looking at our world today which are just as misguided.

Not so, we are not bound... we don't have to accept somebody's word for anything. We are always free to investigate other sources of information.

Mom said TIDE is the best laundry soap. I could do research on that but it isn't worth the time and effort.
Mom also said having credit cards is bad. Now that's something worth further checking.
Then Mom said orientals shouldn't be trusted. I'm sure I wouldn't take anyone's word on that, not even Mom.

The trick is to be aware of the consequences of your decisions and know to further check the reasons for your position, when the consequences are serious.

At the end of the day, al we can do is our best to be open. One thing for sure, the things which inflame us most are probably the things that contain the puzzle that own existence most compels us to resolve.

I think that's a waste of time. The whole meaning of life thing is silly... just get on with it.