Can I choose my beliefs?

[DarkSun]

Originally Posted by Falvlun

By making choices about our environment, we are indirectly affecting what we are likely to believe.

I've highlighted the important word for you.

[Falvlun]

Originally Posted by Klaufi_Wodensson

Maybe you were meant to be an atheist the whole time and the reason you didn't stay Christian was because you had been made to be one against your genes...


But I'm just playing devil's advocate

I considered that, but find it suspect. See, I had no doubt that God existed-- it wasn't like I was pretending, struggling, to believe, or that I believed, but was sweeping my doubts under the rug. Doubts about Christianity, sure, but never the existence of God.

It wasn't until a couple months after the demise of my belief in Christianity that I even toyed with the idea. The same genes were present before and after; they didn't change.

If there is anything genetic about my beliefs, it is probably my tendency to be a) a bit credulous and b) hold whatever belief I am holding very strongly. Both those tendencies are things I keep an eye on, and a reason I am now quite choosy about the beliefs I do decide to take on board.

[Falvlun]

Originally Posted by DarkSun

I've highlighted the important word for you.

I don't know what point you were pointing out. If we are able to indirectly influence our beliefs, then that means we do have some control over our beliefs.

So, yes, while we may not be able to this very moment change what we believe, it is possible that we can decide we want to change a belief and take actions that would allow us to do so.

[Muffled]

Originally Posted by Nowhere Man

Certainly there are subjective and objective factors of which encountered directly, can force one's choices and direction. Yet however there is also a tendency to proactively follow whatever influences that resonates well, of which in choosing, compels further exploration to which this or that is either accepted or discarded freely.

There are too many factors and influences to which choice and direction cannot be summed up easily using only a black and white approach.

No doubt a person can choose to believe the moon is made of green chesse. The problem is that many times a subjective belief (one that is chosen) is not true. A belief that derives from objective truth is more valuable although fantasy has value at times.

[Muffled]

Originally Posted by Tathagata

No, you can't choose your beliefs. You can alter your beliefs based on new information and evidence, but you can't choose your beliefs (though you can choose what you CLAIM to believe, though that's illegitimate and a bit disingenuous).

For example, let's say you are faced with the choice between these two beliefs:

1. You cannot fly (without assistance from a machine).

2. You can fly (without assistance from a machine).

No matter how hard you try, you cannot force yourself to believe that Option 2 is true because you know that it is blatantly false, and therefore you cannot choose to believe it. You may be able to say or claim that you believe it, but you wouldn't truly believe it.

I believe that I can fly without assistance. The problem is that my belief in gravity is a more firm belief. However gravity did not keep airplanes from flying. Normally I would think that option 2 is impossible but I have flown in an airplane. Someone believed that the impossible could be made possible and made it happen.

[Comet]

Originally Posted by Muffled

I believe that I can fly without assistance. The problem is that my belief in gravity is a more firm belief. However gravity did not keep airplanes from flying. Normally I would think that option 2 is impossible but I have flown in an airplane. Someone believed that the impossible could be made possible and made it happen.

Not to mention in space, you don't really fly nor stand on ground.... physics doesn't always apply to all....