“What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it?”

[I.M. Boggled]

"Esprit De Divination"

We all have hunches, beliefs we can barely explain, or even simply hopes or dreams that some might think of as crazy, or scoff at as irrational, or unproven.
But that's just the point of hunches, isn't it?
Sometimes we're even right.
Diderot called the gift of those who guess the truth before being able to prove it the "esprit de divination".

“What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it?”
That was the "grand question" posed by the publisher of the scientific website edge.org, John Brockman, to 120 scientists and thinkers with the results published initially back in January of 2005.

JOHN BROCKMAN
Editor of The Edge, a scientific debate website
I believe but I cannot prove that we are moving towards a future full of correct answers but this may cause us to lose our ability to ask the right questions. In this age of “search culture”, with Google and other search engines leading us towards unlimited information, we focus on knowing, on ideas of truth and proof.

Many people welcome these technological advances as the first steps toward a universal library. My concern is that we are moving forward blinded by a naive sense of certainty.

When I asked this same question about belief and proof as the annual Edge question (www.edge.org), last year, the responses pointed to the new ways of understanding the world: advances in physics, information technology, genetics and neurobiology. But the researchers behind these new developments did not achieve success by having answers: they asked the right questions.

SUSAN GREENFIELD
Neuroscientist and pharmacologist
I believe in the final triumph of the good guy. It’s totally unprovable and sounds awfully moral, but it drives me. I think being honest and kind, and living by your principles, wins through in the end, even if it doesn’t seem expedient at the time. This challenges the notion that human beings are corrupt and inherently nasty, committed only to furthering their own causes by realpolitik.

It has led me to consider what a belief is and why people hold them, sometimes even die for them, without any proof.

But belief can obstruct science; it can prevent you examining the evidence properly. Think of how men have argued over the centuries that women are less intellectually capable than men. However, it can also guide you towards an idea. Giving in to a hunch can be the best thing a scientist can do; we shouldn’t underestimate the power of intuition.

SIR ARNOLD WOLFENDALE
Former Astronomer Royal
I believe but I cannot prove that God exists. As a scientist as well as a Christian, I know that I am supposed to require firm knowledge for every phenomenon in which I believe, but with religious belief, the potential benefits are great enough for normal critical attitudes to be suspended. All this is not to say that I accept all of Christianity lock, stock and barrel. Indeed, I hope that it evolves, as some of the Christian dogmas seem to be in need of an overhaul.

RAYMOND TALLIS
Gerontologist and philosopher
I believe so many things without proof that I am spoilt for choice. As Karl Popper pointed out, no belief can be legitimately placed beyond the reach of doubt. There is always the possibility of further observations that may prove it wrong. Take, for instance, the statement: “All swans are white.” It looked pretty unassailable until visitors to Australia reported sightings of black swans. And if I extend the notion of reasonable doubt virtually everything within the borders of our known world can be doubted.

Here are two of my most stubborn beliefs: first, that the material objects which populate my world are not just the sum total of my experience of them. Some philosophers argue that you can reduce objects to the personal interaction you have with them; outside of that, they don’t exist. I believe the opposite. I believe — despite proof that still confounds the brightest philosophical minds — that material objects exist outside of my own relationship with them. Second, I believe that our all-too-human religions, which are organised around an all-too-human idea of God, have nothing significant to say about how things really are, compared with our everyday perceptions.

SIR JOHN KREBS
Principal of Jesus College, Oxford
I believe that Mozart was a better composer than Carl Stamitz, a lesser-known contemporary. I do not know how I would prove this, or any other kind of aesthetic superiority. If public reaction to a musician was enough, that would solve it but, if an independent objective proof is required, it’s close to impossible. There is a chance that one day we will arrive at a formula that will explain why music X is better than music Y. We may discover that certain music elicits a larger release of serotonin in listeners. Alternatively, that a brilliant painting sends certain messages from the retina to the brain.But I doubt it very much. Nor do I think it would be a good thing. By reducing art to science, you risk losing the essence of what you are trying to explain. In other words, the X-factor that makes it superior. Art involves individual judgment and, therefore, it’s not quantifiable. The only good thing would be that I’d be able to find other composers I’d like by applying the magic formula.


EDZARD ERNST
Professor of complementary medicine
I don’t believe in anything that I can’t prove. My only true belief is in science and its ability to sort out belief from fact. Part of my fascination with alternative therapies stems from the fact that some of them have not yet been proved. My job is to establish whether or not they are evidence-based. There is no aspect of belief in this at all. If there is, it gets in the way and becomes a bias. Once you have tested and established your hypothesis, you try to disprove it. If you can’t, you do the test again before you consider believing it. If you find the results contradict your belief, you abandon it — or you’re a fool. This is why I am convinced of the power of placebo. I have done trials with patients who suffer from intractable pain. A portion of them, who were seen by actors pretending to be spiritual healers, improved so significantly that some were able to abandon their wheelchairs. This is this kind of proof I look for before I believe in something.

(120 contributors; 60,000 words @
http://www.edge.org/q2005/q05_print.html

And so I post here as the subject matter the same "Grand Question" as originally posed there:

“What do you believe to be true even though you cannot prove it?”
?

Gardening related would be nice but certainly not a response prerequisite.

IMB

 

[fari]

I know Gods exists in eveything i do and everywere i go, but you shouldn't look at the sky in search, for you will only find clouds, i don't have to prove anything becouse what i know is what i believe... " Who feels it knows it Lord!"

 

[mriko]

I believe that in the end Peace, Love and Understanding shall prevail ! But I definitely cannot prove it hahah !

Irie !

 

[Space Ghost]

i'll likely get my ass chewed out for this one but here goes, I know there is no higher power in any way shape or form, nothing transcends the fundamental rules of the physical universe.

I was raised catholic, then became agnostic in my teen years and now I'm very atheist. Nothing I have experienced in my years would lead me to have the slightest belief in anything non-physical.

However, I do respect the views of others a great deal.

 

[Gangabiss]

Dude...you need some mushrooms. Seriously.

 

[stikky budz]

so you need mushrooms to believe in god?

 

[Gangabiss]

No but it would open your eyes to what you can't ordinarily percieve.

 

[Space Ghost]

I've done most of the psychodelics (mushies, acid, dmt, lsa and mesc) and that didn't change my views at all, granted I haven't done any of that in years...

 

[Gangabiss]

Did you have alot of bad trips?

 

[Space Ghost]

through all those experiences I've only had two, one was when I overdosed on lsa and the other was an overdose of acid (both due to careless preperation on my part) but all my other experiences have been nutral or pleasent, well the dmt was a little too intense for my liking.

however, i think it is silly to rely on a substance to help you form answers to your most deep and fundemental question, just my thoughts


also lets try to stay on topic, this is not a thread about tripping balls and talking with god.

 

[pieceofmyheart]

I was raised Christian and still am. I generally don't try to make anyone understand where my faith stems from unless thay specifically ask me. But even then I will not argue my faith. I accept others opinions and beliefs and it doesn't affect how I feel about them as person, not one bit.

I also don't believe we need psychedelics to define our religious beliefs, I don't really recall thinking of God or anything like that while under the influence.

So to make sure I am on topic....I have faith in God and believe it to my core but I cannot prove it to anyone, it's inside me.

 

[wantaknow]

i believe the american goverment wantsthe us dollar to fail so that we might join the eu

 

[bluebublelove]

it is silly to rely on a substance. but its not so silly to allow that substance to be used as a catalyst to impress upon you the unexplainable beauty and harmonies of the world. I thought just like you did at one time, raised catholic, held onto an atheist belief for a very long time, and I have a friend who still thinks this way and I know I can't and shouldn't try and change your thoughts. all I can say is that when I lived with that belief, I was living in a world of neutral grey area where ultimately nothing mattered. I have since then met my maker and found my purpose and no one can ever tell me its wrong, till the day I die.

 

[Guest]

I believe that Reefermadness69 is Yummybud... even tho I can't prove it ..lol

 

[Delta9-THC]

erm.... oh wait .... I knew the answer to this .... No its gone again ! lol

Peace

 

[EastCoastE]

The existence of extra-terrestrials. Also, the existence of some "higher power".....not to get all cliche on ya.....I just don't have much faith in any major world religion. BUT, I do believe all the wonders around us are pretty random to have just happened.....so, for lack of a better term....."higher power." Whether or not he/she/it gives a rats' ass about the world and its' problems? Couldn't tell ya.

 

[Legit_User]

I believe Grand Daddy Purple, Erckle, Cream, etc.... are all DJ Short genetics.
I believe someone here has the real deal roadkill skunk........(Pm me if ya do ~~~ )
I believe that if there is a God, he/she/it will grant me passage because I am a fair,honest,loving human being.
Stay peacefull

 

[Hunt4Hazez]

Stupidity = Ignorance = Bliss = Deception = Fear+Hatred = More ignorant and stupid people = Drug dealers making a buck = Scared Parents thinking their kids will get high and addicted to drugs = Government Lackey's making a buck by killing (imprisoning) Drug dealers = A system where its ok to put people who simply do drugs in jail = Hatred = Confusion = Violence = More confusion and Bullshit to refute SCIENCE = A Facist world = Ignorant assholes telling you its free (people making money off putting money into the system rather than improving it).

This is the American "drug problem".


Secondly.

Every plant on this planet Earth put here by GOD (whatever that entity may be) Is here fore a reason and whether humans utilize them or not is and should be of their own accord. It is when one becomes addicted; or drugs are processed or synthesized by man, that they may be harmful to a person or society.

Thirdly.

In the worlds current black market it is unknown what people will do to alter their drugs in order to make a profit.

#4

In this life you are little more than a large and complex compound of atoms shocked with electricity less than 1 billion years ago and constantly evolving. And in the next life you truly understand who you were what you learned and become a more important part of the ENDLESS UNIVERSE.

#5

The key to progression in this life is simply understanding your life on earth, that you were put here by god for a reason, what is truly Right and Wrong. Then building your intellect for the next life.

#6 Violence and Fear, Coupled with the pressence of negativity are the soul of deception. Deception is the root of all evil.

 

[Bacchus]

I believe that I will have another beer....

 

[pipeline]

Great thread IM boggled....Thanks for starting it and givin us the link.

I am very sure some humans communicate on subconscious levels. This does not depend on or stem from periferal vision or body language or the like. We are able to communicate, and evaluate each other on subconscious levels, and sometimes a person can tell when they're being thought about/communicated to by another person ..... I just know it.

I will also add to the thought of a creator discussion. In my opinion, the proof of a creator is in the fact that there is anything at all. Even if the series of causes and effects goes back infinately (whatever that means).

HOW DID THE CHANIN OF CAUSE AND EFFECT BECOME ESTABLISHED?

Some form of a creator, we call God.

Think i'll have another beer too, but i can't prove that.