Recent content by Blindwatchmaker

Hi OtherBrother, Thanks for your thoughtful and evocative reply. I really appreciate the way you're weaving together ideas from Pascal, Piaget, and your own creative reflections. There’s something deeply important in what you’re pointing to: the ability we have to challenge our assumptions, to...

As I’ve said before, I’m not arguing that we’re deterministic robots with no free will. I do think determinism has serious philosophical support and deserves to be taken seriously—but even if we set that aside and assume full libertarian free will, my core point still stands: Belief isn’t a...

For clarity, my argument doesn't require the rejection of all free will. .I think those arguments have some merit and are interesting but for this one, I'm happy to concede that we have libertarian free will. But it's still the case that belief can only happen when you are convinced of something...

Many thanks Rocala!

Ahanu You're absolutely right.👍 Whether you find something funny (as with what you believe) is also not something you choose.

Great response — and I appreciate the nuance you're bringing. You're absolutely right that we can shape the environment in which belief is more or less likely to arise. We can choose what we read, who we spend time with, what ideas we expose ourselves to. Those indirect choices matter. They...

Thank you for the replies. My view is that not only do we not choose our beliefs — we cannot. (Broadly in agreement with what TheLightWithin said.) Belief isn’t something we generate by an act of will. It follows — involuntarily — from becoming convinced by something. We can’t simply decide to...

I mean do we choose what we consider to be true... (and many thanks for your reply and for the kind welcome!)

Thank you so much Thomas! 🙏

I'm writing a book on the nature of belief and would really value your input. I've added a simple Yes/No poll to ask: Do you think belief is something we choose? If your answer is more nuanced — for example, if you think it depends — please feel free to comment and explain what you believe...

Hi everyone! 👋 This certainly looks like a thoughtful and welcoming place to discuss and share perspectives on faith and belief. I look forward to some interesting exchanges.