Disposition toward error
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Re: Disposition toward error
Post #11Interesting question. As the question stands I would say neither is worse. Both cases of (a) or (b) yield the same result, one discovers one holds a mistaken belief.
Things atheists say:
"Is it the case [that torturing and killing babies for fun is immoral]? Prove it." - Bust Nak
"For the record...I think the Gospels are intentional fiction and Jesus wasn't a real guy." – Difflugia
"Julius Caesar and Jesus both didn't exist." - brunumb
"...most atheists have no arguments or evidence to disprove God." – unknown soldier (a.k.a. the banned member Jagella)
"Is it the case [that torturing and killing babies for fun is immoral]? Prove it." - Bust Nak
"For the record...I think the Gospels are intentional fiction and Jesus wasn't a real guy." – Difflugia
"Julius Caesar and Jesus both didn't exist." - brunumb
"...most atheists have no arguments or evidence to disprove God." – unknown soldier (a.k.a. the banned member Jagella)
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- Savant
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Re: Disposition toward error
Post #12I'd say the latter, every time. The advantage being that not to have invested belief means that, once the validation is there, you can accept it.
The former risks investing belief in something to such an extent that, if evidence turned up later that it is a false belief, one is tempted to reject the evidence and cling to the belief.
We have all heard the apologetics: 'Science has gotten things wrong before'. 'You can't be 100% certain' or 'I'd rather believe a lie and be happy than not believe it and be miserable'.
The former risks investing belief in something to such an extent that, if evidence turned up later that it is a false belief, one is tempted to reject the evidence and cling to the belief.
We have all heard the apologetics: 'Science has gotten things wrong before'. 'You can't be 100% certain' or 'I'd rather believe a lie and be happy than not believe it and be miserable'.