Faith vs. Skepticism

by leavingwt 16 Replies latest jw friends

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  leavingwt

  I enjoyed this post by Dr. James F. McGrath, Associate Professor of Religion at Butler University, Indianapolis.

  How would you answer his questions in the final paragraph?

  Faith vs. Skepticism Today in my religion and science fiction class we focused on the X-Files. The assigned reading was a chapter from The Philosophy of The X-Files which compares Mulder and Scully, and philosophers James and Clifford, on the topic of belief and its justification. At one point the choice between these approaches was summarized in what I think is a very helpful way. If we adopt a skeptical approach, we are less likely to believe things that are false, but will also probably not believe many things that are true but for which evidence is lacking. If we take a credulous approach, by believing everything we may be certain that we have believed everything that is true, but we will inevitably believe many things that are false as well. Which approach do you consider preferable? Is there any real way to find a middle ground between them? And for those whose religious standpoint leads them to believe that God prefers one or the other of these approaches (or looks favorably on humans who adopt one or the other), why do you think that might be the case?

  http://exploringourmatrix.blogspot.com/2010/02/faith-vs-skepticism.html
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  Leolaia

  If we take a credulous approach, by believing everything we may be certain that we have believed everything that is true

  But in actual practice that is not what really happens.

  Faith positions make certain specific claims; they do not claim to believe in "everything" imaginable that there is to believe.
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  snowbird

  Which approach do you consider preferable?

  Neither.

  Is there any real way to find a middle ground between them?

  Yes, but it will take a lot of reasoning, discernment, and understanding.

  And for those whose religious standpoint leads them to believe that God prefers one or the other of these approaches (or looks favorably on humans who adopt one or the other), why do you think that might be the case?

  I don't believe God prefers either; in fact He invites - challenges - us to investigate His claims.

  Sylvia
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  frankiespeakin

  Which approach do you consider preferable?

  The skeptical approach, we are less likely to believe things that are false, but will also probably

  not believe many things that are true but for which evidence is lacking.
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  TD

  "If we take a credulous approach, by believing everything we may be certain that we have believed everything that is true"

  For some reason, that makes me think of conspiracy theories. You couldn't simultaneously believe in the findings of the Warren commission and a second gunman shooting up from a curb-side storm drain.

  People often ultimately choose to believe in one thing or another. It's the reasons for their choices that are the issue.
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  Deputy Dog

  I think we all do both. At some very foundational level we all act on presuppositions which require faith. Our skepticism stems from our experiences.
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  PSacramento

  My faith is in harmony with my skeptic part.

  They work will together.
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  Terry

  If I could be permitted to "beg the question" I'd say it is a false dichotomy to begin with.

  There is a natural boundry between being rational and being inclined toward the supernatural.

  Nature is all that exists. Super-nature is what is asserted to exist outside of existence.

  Words turn to mush and thoughts follow, you see.

  When we know something it is a rational state of agreement with reality by way of experience and facts, testing and questioning.

  But--when we believe something it is an exercise of imagination with which we form agreement and certainty.

  We live in a real world. Our lives meet practical demands. We either succeed or we fail. We adapt, innovate or perish. (Well, we all perish eventually)

  So, the test of anything we think is in the practical working out of agreement with our everyday practical life as a whole demonstrating what is valid or invalid.

  All Skepticism amounts to is a TEST of REALITY before belief takes hold.
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  leavingwt

  Everyone -- I'm really enjoying your comments. Thank you.
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  leavingwt

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