Beliefs and Skepticism

"There is a very important distinction between a critical attitude of mind (or critical "faculty") and a skeptical attitude." - 

"No Pessimist ever discovered the secrets of the stars, or sailed to an uncharted land, or opened a new heaven to the human spirit" 

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence." 
      
     —Sir Martin Rees (astronomer)

In the final analysis, each of us has the ultimate right to decide which beliefs to embrace and accept, which ones to dismiss, and which ones we would like to learn more about before we make a decision. It is neither possible nor desirable for us to believe everything we see and hear because of the tremendous diversity of beliefs from which to choose. 

In today's world it would certainly be naive to believe everything we're told. If we were gullible enough to believe everything we're told on the Internet, for example, we could get ourselves into deep trouble very quickly. Those official sounding emails promise vast sums of money from a Nigerian businessman if we merely send him our bank account information to facilitate transfer the funds. And then there are scams using those official-looking emails allegedly from our bank or other financial institutions asking for us to enter our usernames and passwords to help them to maintain security and protect us from identity theft.

We've also learned to be skeptical about many kinds of advertising, knowing that claims are often exaggerated, misleading, or even intentionally deceptive.

There are constantly new conspiracy theories being proposed, some interesting and others that stretch the limits of credibility.

But as vigilant as we have to be about such potential risks, it would be very sad indeed if we steadfastly refused to believe in anything.

Some beliefs are so hard to dispute that they eventually cease to be beliefs and become laws. Gravity, for example, will function whether or not we believe in it and it isn't prudent to try to disprove it—especially if it involves jumping off a high building.

It seems that as humans we need something to believe in. For many of us it is religion. For others it may be strongly held social or political beliefs. It may even be something that is impossible to prove or disprove. In a way these nebulous areas of belief are among the most stimulating to consider.

If we have a reasonably open mind, there are many interesting and wondrous possibilities to consider. While some of these beliefs or theories may eventually be disproved, still others may come to be widely accepted. It can be very exciting process to keep abreast of the scientific and intellectual debates and developments related to these beliefs.

The only thing that I find more irritating than being told what to believe is being told what not to believe. Personally, I subscribe to the policy, Believe and let believe.