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I've always said that I want to know the truth. And also said that reason is the greatest tool we have for knowing it.
Today, it suddenly occurred to me that any knowledge we have, contains an element of faith or belief. If nothing else, we believe that our minds and our powers of reason are functioning correctly at this time.
A family member is currently experiencing dementia, and will answer the simplest questions incorrectly, and yet he knows. In some cases, he gets angry if you try to correct or disagree with him, because he knows.
How can I be sure that my knowledge is any different? Ultimately I have to believe in my own powers of reason.
And also today, I found myself thinking [as I often do] about The Library of Babel. Somewhere in that library, there is a book that describes The Meaning Of Life in a way that will convince you, whatever that might take. There are millions of other books, some slightly different, others completely contradictory, all written in a way that will convince you. They can't all be true. But they will all seem like the truth when you read them. So, if we are presented with the truth, how can we know that's what it is?
Things like this, I have to make a conscious effort to stop thinking about, in order to get on with my day....
Today, it suddenly occurred to me that any knowledge we have, contains an element of faith or belief. If nothing else, we believe that our minds and our powers of reason are functioning correctly at this time.
A family member is currently experiencing dementia, and will answer the simplest questions incorrectly, and yet he knows. In some cases, he gets angry if you try to correct or disagree with him, because he knows.
How can I be sure that my knowledge is any different? Ultimately I have to believe in my own powers of reason.
And also today, I found myself thinking [as I often do] about The Library of Babel. Somewhere in that library, there is a book that describes The Meaning Of Life in a way that will convince you, whatever that might take. There are millions of other books, some slightly different, others completely contradictory, all written in a way that will convince you. They can't all be true. But they will all seem like the truth when you read them. So, if we are presented with the truth, how can we know that's what it is?
Things like this, I have to make a conscious effort to stop thinking about, in order to get on with my day....
