What do you believe in .......on a rational base?

Hi everybody!

I am sure everybody has an opinion on this one...Not to be taken too seriously. I am just curious.
Since none of us believes in the supernatural or lives by faith...I am still sure that to believe in some things is important to living a rational life. If one would ask me I would say something like:

- I believe in myself
- I believe in friendship
- I believe in love at first sight

and so on. What are things you believe in and how do you think about "believing" rationally? Do you think it is necessary or rather superfluous...

Thank you for participating:-)
Tok

Post 1

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 8:15pm

Beliefs are affirmed by the premises they set upon. If the premises in question are not sound then the belief is equally not sound. But if the premises are sound for that given belief, then the belief is equally sound. Belief in this regard depends on some level of reason for it to be even defensible. Many folks take certain beliefs without even knowing the premises of them, and even more so, they'll try to invent premises to support a belief that may indeed be faulty from the get go.

So as it is commonly said, "Check your premises." :)

-- Bridget

Post 2

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 9:45pm

If you ever hear me start a sentence off with "I believe in" then kill me. Please. : )

Post 3

Monday, July 10, 2006 - 10:16pm

I believe my chinese cookin' is the best! *ducks*

-- Bridget

Post 4

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 5:27am

Yes - this has always been one of my peeves, that among those who say there is a difference between knowing and believing, they still resort to using "I believe...." ..... you either know something, or you don't... you can statistically assume or presume, which prefaces with qualifications - but you cannot claim something as true in the absence of knowing...

And Bridget - while your Chinese cooking may be the best, my Pacific Rim is better.... ;-)

(Edited by robert malcom on 7/11, 5:29am)

Post 5

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:46am

Belief is a funny thing because it is very individualistic. It can be based on some very good data or facts (this would be known as knowledge), a gut emotion (perhaps faith), or there may be no known reason why something is believed.

I believe my daughter being born is the best thing that has ever happened to me.

I believe everything should be questioned.

Post 6

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 10:05am

And I believe I should use my bicycle more than my old car, because my old car isn't getting any better or younger. ^_^;

-- Bridget

Post 7

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 12:07pm

"Belief" is used in different contexts. The statement, "I believe in myself" means that you have high self esteem and confidence in contrast to, "I believe in miracles and the supernatural" which means that you have a view of of the world that is unshakable.

(A statement such as, "I believe I'll have another beer" falls into neither of those categories.)

Sam

Post 8

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 2:31pm

My son told his playmate that he believes in science as oppose to Jesus Christ. :-)

(Edited by Hong Zhang on 7/11, 2:33pm)

Post 9

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 2:48pm

Oh, Einstein, thou art in Heaven, without preferred frame of reference, hallow by thy name. Thy will be done, within the speed of light. Thy kingdom come within its lightcone. Amen.

-- Bridget

Post 10

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 5:34pm

Ahh, Bridget ... a 'true believer' ...

Ed
[may a thousand blessings be bestowed upon thee; for thou seekest the truth, the light, and the way]

Post 11

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:26pm

�I believe in the small of a woman�s back.�

Post 12

Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - 9:35pm

I believe I need to go outside more.

-- Bridget has too many YTMND fads winding up in her dreams... @_@;

Post 13

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 9:32am

My son told his playmate that he believes in science as oppose to Jesus Christ. :-)

My son told me that the idea of a God creating everything sounds like magic, so he knows that can't be right. :-)

-- Bridget has too many YTMND fads winding up in her dreams... @_@;

Oh -- I believe "you have my stapler". LOL!!

Post 14

Wednesday, July 12, 2006 - 12:54pm