"What do you Believe is True, even though you cannot ..

[Carolynn]

Hi All. Well, this shouldn't be something that will degenerate to Mordor, I hope, but I suppose the topic could actually fall under Games.

God (or Not), Physics and, of Course, Love: Scientists Take a Leap

"What do you believe is true even though you cannot prove
it?"
This was the question posed to scientists, futurists
and other creative thinkers by John Brockman, a literary
agent and publisher of Edge, a Web site devoted to science.
The site asks a new question at the end of each year. Here
are excerpts from the responses, to be posted Tuesday at
www.edge.org.

There are some interesting thoughts there, and it is worth the time, I think, to peruse a few. Then, maybe we can indulge a bit on our own if you like.

However, given the recent past that led to Mordor, perhaps there should be some rules. If you so desire, post a response to Mr. Brockman's question. No one else should respond to that poster here or start a discussion in this thread. If it is a statement you want to discuss, then if necessary take it to Mordor and start a new thread. That way, maybe we can keep this thread out of Mordor, and still get some interesting thoughts and insights into each other.

So, what do you think? Wanna try it?

[Loretta Ann]

Hi Carolynn,

I do not really know where you are intending on going with this, or what you hope to accomplish here?

But I believe nothing that can not be proven, How ever I do believe some things that I can not prove to others, and am grateful it is that way.

Love Darlene.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Carolynn,

I think I get it.

I beleive that string theory is true. And that the 10-11 other dimentions that bind us, yet we are unable to directly feel or see, are the spiritual connection that I feel to everyone else, and the universe, and "God". It is my beleif, that we, it, them, and yes, God, are all part of the same thing.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[Jassmine(SO)]

Hi Y'all

Elizabeth, your post reminded me of one of my favorite quotes:

“Then I will tell you a great secret, Captain. Perhaps the greatest of all time.
The molecules of your body are the same molecules that make up this
station and the nebula outside, that burn inside the stars themselves. We
are starstuff, we are the universe made manifest, trying to figure itself out
As we have both learned, sometimes the universe requires a change of perspective"

Babylon 5



*Hugs & Love*

[Beauty]

Carolynn,

This morning I moved this to Mordor without even blinking, but I'm putting it back to see how it goes.

You have laid down guidelines and so I hope people respect your request. If it ignites a debate or people don't follow your rules then I will go into Mordor.

I think your idea is brilliant and I'm hoping this works!

Beauty

[DonnaT]

I believe that there is life on other planets. With the vastness of space it is inconceivable that this is the only planet that can support life.

[Terri(SO)]

My first thought was to say
I believe that the seed of true love lies in every human heart
but I hesitated because it seems so cliche. There, I said it anyway.

I also agree with DonnaT - we can't be the only ones.

[Carolynn]

Hi all. Sorry to start something and run, but I will be away a few days--Work, not too much fun other that to the degree I enjoy what I do! I do believe everyone has the idea. Thanks Beauty, for giving us the chance to state a belief without having to defend it.

I believe, though I cannot prove, that the sun will illuminate my corner of the world tomorrow, and that I will be alive to see it. I also believe that should I not wake tomorrow, the sun will continue to illuminate the world and other's little corners of it, but I admit it gives me little comfort to think that. I also believe, that in spite of tragedy on a large human scale, this world and it's life will countinue, whether we do or not. I used to believe that there might be other intelligent life in the Universe, now I am holding out for at least one to exist, somewhere, since we have largely abdicated that role.

[Celia]

I believe I'll have another cup of coffee.

-Celia

[Violet]

But then, you *could* prove that, simply by having more coffee... not that I'm trying to be argumentative...

I believe that the entirety of existence came from nothing and will return to nothing. It takes equal amounts of something and nothing to make up a reality. Nonbeing defines the boundaries of being. Even infinity has limits. Just try and define existence without referring to nonexistence. I dare you.

I believe that every piece of reality - from planets to atoms, from people to peoples, from forests to trees - has a consciousness, and is identical with the whole of reality. Existence is fractal. I believe that all of reality is a 'conscious being' transcending all limitations - even the supposed inalterable principle that 'nothing can come from nothing' - and greater than any definition a mere human could impose on zir, even this one, and that every entity that is, is that being and shares its consciousness. If we only knew.

I believe things happen because they happen. I believe there is no 'natural morality', that 'free will' is a nonconcept, and that people (like every other entity known to our knowledge) do what they do. I believe that the only purpose, the only right and wrong, are the ones we make for ourselves. To hold a sun or a fish or an alien being to moral rules that might make sense to a human is ludicrous. I believe that the best moral guide any human can try to follow is, 'try to make people happy and try not to make them suffer'. I believe this because it is the best way to cause maximal happiness for everyone, and happiness, I'm sure most would agree, is a good thing.

I believe that our universe operates according to self-consistent rules in a deterministic manner. The same might not necessarily be true of other universes. (however, even if determinism is not an accurate description of a particular part of reality, if things happen for random causes instead of logical ones, that 'free will' is still a nonconcept. Think about it.) I believe that there is a greater system underlying every system, and a greater system which every system makes up, and so on ad infinitum. It's turtles all the way down.

I believe that I am entitled to a certain degree of dignity and the opportunity to maximize my potential. Just because I'm entitled to it though, does not necessarily mean I will get it, as the fulfillment of this necessity of my being depends on fickle humans (and natural forces), which may not share my view. I believe that it is my right to destroy any being which gets in the way of this entitlement.

I believe that I exist.

[CJ]

Hi all,

I believe that I'm not just a brain in a vat, being stimulated by evil scientists to make me experience reality the way I do;

I believe that consciousness is a cerebral epiphenomenon; my spiritual longings are one of the things my neurons do;

I believe that the universe is teeming with intelligent life forms but that they're wise enough to stay away from us until we figure ourselves out;

I believe that I can hear echoes of the Big Bang in the purring of a kitten;

I believe that religion is the child born of the union between human beings and the starry sky;

I believe that, the more I print the word "Fragile" on my parcels, the more they'll reach their destination in a damaged condition;

I believe that the above sentence applies to the human soul as well;

I believe that there's not a man or woman on this forum who's never had to run the last few yards to their front door in order to go pee really badly;

I believe that everyone knows what love is, even though we all give it a different meaning;

I believe that, in a mere five generations, the biosphere as we know it will be no more;

I believe that computers and data transmission tools will be incorporated into our very bodies as a matter of routine before Bill Gates reaches the age of 65;

I believe that women are naturally superior to men and that men's violence is the result of an unacknowledged and repressed jealousy and envy of that superiority;

I believe that my parents love me;

I believe that we're so much more than just egos trapped in a bag of skin;

I believe that n-dimensional space is as much a construct of the human mind as is gender;

I believe that beliefs and knowledge aren't the same thing, and neither are facts and truth;

I believe the next sentence is true;

I believe the preceding sentence is false;

I believe that everything I've said in this post matters not one whit to anyone, least of all to myself.

Now, I believe I'll go slip into something more comfortable (and perhaps join Celia for a cup of coffee...).

Love,
CJ

[Celia]

I believe that I'm not stating a belief.

-Celia

[Carolynn]

I Believe there were some very interesting responses to the basic question. Thanks to all that participated. Hope you found it fun.

Love,
Carolynn