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PHS IB TOK at Play!
The purpose of this blog is to open a discussion forum for ideas, ramblings, debates, and random thoughts that pass through the heads of the students presently in Poudre High School's Theory of Knowledge Program.
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108 comments:
A belief I hold dear is that there is life after death. I can't contemplate not being able to think or feel I exist. How does one feel nothing? "I think, therefore I am" - Rene Descartes
A belief that I hold dear. hmmm...I believe that all people are created equal, which I think is a big achievement because my parents and grandparents are still really racist and are against many things that I believe in-such as gay rights. I justify this belief of equality through a few different ways, mainly through logic and intuition. Logically I like to think that I want to be treated equally and therefore should treat others the same way. Through intuition I just feel in my gut that no one is better or worse than anyone else.
A belief that I hold dear is that there is life after death, like what Ethan said, however, after I die, there will never be another me. My life after death is my children, I am my ancestors’ life after death, I am a representation and my children will be a representation of me, my life after death is my blood in the future generations. Spiritually there really can’t be an explanation from me.
~ TC Liu (tsizzinc)
A belief that is important to me can be described by the cliché “Don’t judge a book by the cover.” I think that it is important to get to really know somebody before you make unfair judgments about them. I have found that in the past I have misjudged people from first appearances and the same has been done to me. Later on, I have realized that they are in truth interesting people that have a lot to offer. I then regret not giving them a chance in the past and listen to what they have to say.
Elliot Ross
A belief that I hold dear is that from every situation or person something good can be found. Maybe it is a childish or naive thought, but through intuition I've believed that something positive can be attainted through anything. Through experience, I've been able to come up with at least something positive from an otherwise negative situation.
Katie A
A belief that I hold extremely important is using mathematics and logic to run our life. More specifically, I think all choices should be defined using math and logic. I can support this statement with, not only logic, but also personal experience. Previously, I was, for lack of a better term, stuck between a rock and a hard place. I was forced to choose between two friends, one who I had known longer and in turn had more emotional connections, and one who I had just met. Now, the friend I had known for a while was extremely cruel, and the newer was was much kinder. When I was forced to choose between them, I used emotions. I chose the old friend. I have regretted that choice ever since. Therefore, I let emotions cloud my judgement, so I now use logic and math to make all of my choices.
I personaly don't belive in the institution of religion. Throughout history, religion had been the cause of many, many, devastating and world changing wars. I think that this kind of relates to what Maddie said baout everyonr being born equal. Because there are somany different religions that all are sure they are the right one, that they think other religions are wrong. I know that there are some religions that accept other religions, and not all religions are so extreme, but it has been a fact throughout history. So I think i am using authority and memory to justify this belief, because I am going from what I have learned about hisory, wars, and religions, since I am not affiliated with any religion.
-Martha
Don't forget to JUSTIFY your beliefs! Is it experience? authority? logic?
Explain why you believe what you believe.
To expand on my first post, I believe what I believe because I have faith and my intuition tells me that my soul will live on. Forever.
A belief that I have is that there is no such thing as fate, and that we are in complete control of the decisions we make. That isn't to say that I don't think things happen for a reason (sometimes our own mistakes come back to haunt us or a good decision pays off), but if we don't have control over our actions, then who's/what purpose do we serve?
-Katie C.
to justify that my bloodline is my afterlife, i use unemperical logic, when thinking about it, there is no proven spiritual life, however, physically humans reproduce out of nature and instinct so it must be kind of important that i should mate and continue my bloodline. so yeah...
~TC (tsizzinc)
One of my most important beliefs that I hold near and dear to my heart is the belief that there is one true God, who is the creator of the world. My biggest justification of this belief is faith. There is no physical proof that there is a God but I believe it in my heart. Also, this might sound strange to some but I have heard God and felt his presence. So in a way that is also experience.
I bleieve that people created religion to answer questions that cannot be proven or answered by science. Such questions like where we came from, what our purpose is, and what comes after life. All of these questions have no definitive answer. That's where faith and religion comes in. People created answers to their questions and now, when science catches up with philosophy, there is controversy (creationism vs evolution).
-Ariel
A Belief that I hold dear is that everyone has some kindness in them. I may be just me because well I'm Kelly and that is truely how I feel but I think that everyone could be good but they choose not to. The reason why I have this belief is because I guess I couldn't hold on to life and deal with people I couldn't see them as good people, maybe somewhere deep inside the person, but in there. My problem is if someone isn't good then why are they there I know everyone is bad in someway but that isn't what I'm getting at the fact is that they are good and they can help the world in someway. I guess it kind of optimsitic view but if you are only going to live once then might as well live it with some sunshine? My justifications beind this belief is that intuition that somewhere deep inside myself when I see people I know they are good. And from experience, yes I have meet mean people but you know they are just acting that way to hind there inner goodness. This belief is held strong to my heart because to be able to deal with life I must have concept I can grasp.
Kelly R.
Also a question to consider is what is the purpose of life if there isn't kindness/goodness somewhere in there heart?
A belief I hold dear is that fear is caused by not understanding. I would justify this logically, as most little kids are afraid of the dark because they don't know whats out there. When we get older, we lose that fear, or it at least lessens, because we have a clearer idea of whats out there. It doesn't mean we aren't afraid... just that we know what to be afraid of.
Oliver
I find it interesting that people are so ready to be willing to share personal beliefs that they have. From my own experiences I feel that when you express your beliefs it causes people to view you from a certain lense and already make a judgement upon everything else you say. I try to avoid interjecting my personal beliefs because I want people view my ideas by my ideas not by what perspectives my ideas come from.
Glenn Neil
One belief I hold dear is that a person's soul or spirit is transferred after death. This is similar to the belief of Ethan and TC although my theory is a little different. I believe that the spirit is moved after death into another young body. When a person is a baby, they are sometimes known as 'blank slates.' This is sometimes because they have no experiences to define themselves or, for me, they have no basis for thought and later experiences. I believe this because in Social Science class in Singapore, I saw a documentary saying that people that die in very tragic or horrible circumstances such as in a war or a bombing can remember it in their next life. For example, a woman died in a bombing in Southeast Asia. Before her death, she had been keeping the household's money in a hiding place so her husband could not find the safe. Five or six years later, a young girl traveled from another city to the rural town where the woman used to live. She then extracted a small steel safe from a well-concealed hole in the wall. She also said she could remember the explosion. I suppose this would be a combination of authority figures doing empirical research and also perception. This belief is also made up of self-awareness because I feel that a human being's life on earth cannot just be erased.
-Susanna Wang
A belief I hold dear is the belief that everyone is born a good person. I like to think this because I don't like thinking that a baby or a child could be evil, partially because I don't think it's realistic. I think that something has to happen to them at some point in their life to make them stop being a good person.
I believe that people should be allowed to believe what they want. Acting upon it is another thing... But I believe that a person should be allowed to have their own opinion on things and shouldn't be bullied, forced or persuaded to change the belief just to match what others think they should believe. From EXPERIENCE I have found that people respect you more if you let them think what they want even if you don't agree. I would also justify this belief by my CONSCIENCE because I believe it is wrong (against my morals) to force people to change just becase they are different.
A belief that I hold dear, is to respect those who follow their morals. It takes a special person to create their own morals, but it takes an extraordinary one to follow them.
I am a firm believer in animal rights. Meaning, I dont think its "ok" to eat animals. Although it is a difficult thing to justify to people that dont believe the same thing, I will TRY. It is LOGICAL to me, because animals feel pain, and if it is against the law to cause pain to another human being, why is it ok to cause pain to another living creature (wether or not they can voice their pain). Through sensory experience, after being in extreme pain for an extended period of time I can say that it is not fun, nor would I want to purposefully cause that kind of pain to any other living creature. Make sense? Well I hope so.
-Adrienne Craig (Period 7)
A belief that I hold dear is that, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I have the ability to change myself into anything I wish. I've been told before that I lack confidence/self-esteem, that I'm spineless, prude, pathetic, clingy, and a whole multitude of very mean things, but I posess none of those traits anymore (in my opinion), and some I never did posess, but some people only see the bad in others, you know? Anyway, yeah. That makes me happy that I'm different and better now.
A belief that I hold dear is that, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, I have the ability to change myself into anything I wish. I've been told before that I lack confidence/self-esteem, that I'm spineless, prude, pathetic, clingy, and a whole multitude of very mean things, but I posess none of those traits anymore (in my opinion), and some I never did posess, but some people only see the bad in others, you know? Anyway, yeah. That makes me happy that I'm different and better now.
~Clem
P.S. I know, same as above. I forgot to sign my name.
A strong belief that I have is the belief that everything happens for a reason. If your run into someone or meet someone it is for a reason and the way we react to it determines if it is for the good or not. I would justify this with faith and intuition
I too share Susanna's beliefs about death. I believe this because through my own self-awareness, I am comforted by the thought that my soul (or whatever aspect of me which is awareness)will not be extinguished, but transfered to another form of existance. I have faith in this belief because I cannot accept non-existance in my future.
I justify my last post through personal experience. I believe that all people have morals, but it can be hard to understande them. Without understanding and seeing one's morals, it can be harder to follow them. Therefore, people who obvioulsy understand their own morals and identify with them, must have clearly set their morals.
I believe that naturaly, everyone is born in bestial state, but through the way the person is raised, their morals become more closly alligned with those accepted by society. I'm justifying this belief through experiance because I have a severaly autistic cousin who can't understandibly comprehend or comminicate with people. He thinkls nothing of taking something that ins't his or eating rocks. My point is, that without guidance from a family or gaurdians and society, people have no real moral compass because they have no examples of moral behavior.
Max Dean
Alright... I guess I'll go with this whole "life after death" thing. I, for one, don't believe in it. Just as there is no proof of life after death, there's also no proof that it doesn't exist, so I'm just going on faith here. As I don't see a good way to prove one way or the other, I think the more important discussion here is how does that affect how you live your life? Since I believe that this is a one-shot-deal, I also believe that you have to spend your time experiencing life as fully as possible; being as here and as in the now as you can. The question I'd like to pose to some of the people who have mentioned that they do believe in life after death is how does your philiosophy about how to live your life differ, if there is a second chance later?
On a slightly different note, I should mention that I believe that fear is the sole human motivator. I also believe that all fear stems from fear of death (at least subconciously; perhaps conciously, it is, for some people, the fear of death and the possibility of something worse than death that follows, i.e. "hell.") However, as previously mentioned, many religions address this fear with the prospect of life after death, particularly a pleasant one. So my next question(s) to some of you who believe in such a life after death, is: do you fear death, and, if not, then what is your motivator? (Perhaps reward/lack of punishment in life after death? What others?)
Thanks,
Spencer L
i believe that we are to trust the people we meet until, or if, proven wrong. its super hard, i know! think about it- do u trust people when u meet them? or judge and wait for them to prove to u that they are trustworthy? i justify this through intuition and concience.
meeeara :)
I am a christian. At first i was very doubtful of God. I didn't understand following Jesus who claimed to be God's one and only son. I just didn't get it. He could have been some pyscho guy who lead many jews to their death. Then i began reading the bible and seeing for myself. I began to pray and found the answers i needed to get through life. I was lost and my family was going through some stuff, but then i prayed. I believe that praying helped me overcome my insecurities and ultimately God carried me through the rough times. Now my life couldn't be better. My belief is justified through experience, not physically just spiritually, and my faith. I believe in God, even though i still doubt... I have doubts everyday, but for some reason, he has remained faithful throughout my life. He has never left me. I wish i could prove it to everyone... but i cant. I know in my heart.
Question: What are some peoples doubts when it comes to religion?
How do we justify religion through faith?
~Janessa
ps- i totally agree w/ what spencer said about life after death. sadly i think that we all just decompose under ground or stay cremated.
meara
One belief that I hold dear to me is atheism. I don't believe that there is a God partly because I was raised with this belief by authority figures (my parents) and because I don't believe of salvation or life after death. I believe that a human will be born and will die and that a person has to make their own choices and live with the consequences of their choices. My justification for this belief is logic because there is no proof of a God existing. I believe in the biological view because there is scienitific facts and proof that we are just biological beings and on how we came to be. I am a very logical person and I can't believe in a being that watches over all human kind.
Seanna
would any say religion is just a form of politics?
In some ways I believe that religion is just a form of politics. In history there have been many circumstances of the church having political power and control. For example, when Marx describes in the Communist Manifesto that the Communist society would not have religion because religion was just another way the bourgeois controlled the proletariat. I do believe that religion is a great concept, but the political aspects of religion has started wars and has exerted power over others.
I'll go along with the life after death thing as well, because I can't come up with a good belief of my own. I don't believe in life after death, mainly just because there is no physical evidence. This is one of the few times where I don't even consider faith or whatever, just that there is no tangible evidence, and I don't have any strong persuasions to suggest otherwise. So, I believe that we die, and we stay dead. Maybe out spirit and such can live on through what we achieve and in people's memories, but aside from that, when we die, we die. And that's about it.
I agree with Beth. I believe that people are essentially good, that they start off as good people when they are born. I think that it is the environment or their surroundings that shape people or influence them in a negative way. I suppose I justify this by experience and instinct. Also I logically think that people are not born with a predestined mind set causing them to be good or bad. What can cause people to already be programmed to be good or bad when they are born? However, I acknowledge the fact that good and bad is not a black and white issue and what is considered good or bad depends on what you believe.
In reply to Spencer L's comment:
I think you pose a very interesting question. The type of life after death I believe in is not a continuation or addition to the life previously lived. I simply believe that the soul moves on. I think that a person should still live their life to the fullest as that is the one time they will be experiencing it. The next time will provide them with new environments, new opportunities, and new ideas. This life should still be lived to the fullest.
I also do believe that the fear of death spurs people to either create or believe in a type of life after death. In plain terms, a human life will always end with death. Whether it be slow or sudden, fair or unfair, it always occurs at the end of a life. Self-awareness of my own mind and conscious makes me wary and certainly unsure of what will come after it. However I don't think I am fearful of it, exactly. I am fearful of not living my life the way I want to and not accomplishing all I want but the actual event of death to me is inevitable. So my motivation in thinking that there is an afterlife is simply my own intuition. There are so many unexplainable things about the human brain or characteristics and I think a kind of life after death may be encompassed in those curious things about humans.
To those people that believe in some level of life after death but are in somewhat of a fix because there is no logical way to prove it: The earthly phenomenons that spur people to believe in God or magic, etc. can often be disproved through logic. I am a very logical person and believe in evolution and all those science-y ideas. But at the same time, because humans have developed higher and deeper thoughts and emotions, I can't help but believe in some level of spirituality in the world. Do any of your so-called un-provable beliefs come from your logical side?
I have been wondering about the justifications of our beliefs. Are the justifications we have been given really enough to justify believes that we have? Can we always justify the beliefs that we have grown up with or are they just part of us?
A belief I have that is sometime contradicted, is the idea that one is born with a sense of right and wrong, therefore supporting the idea of personal self and soul. Some believe that the sense of right and wrong developes with the influence of environment and it isn't something found originally. I believe that the influence is monumental, it's impossible to believe that someone such as Hilter was born ready to prosecute peeople, but I do believe there IS a basis personality. I think that this personality CAN developement as life continues, in fact it almost directs us to the choices we make in life and how we further develope. If one has questions I have some further points that are more specific, but I'm trying to be concise here... :)
I believe that good and evil are inseparable, and that without one the other would not exist. Just as shadow is defined by light, good exists through evil and evil exists through good. This is only true of the concept of evil, any one action which can be considered evil, such as theft, may be eliminated and good would remain the same. If, however, all evil were eliminated, all good would disappear with it. In a world in which everything was yellow, the concept of color would not exist because there would never be a cause to invent it. Thus, if all things were good, the concept of good would not exist because there would be no need to describe anything as being good. This logic can apply to all other opposing concepts: if everything were the same size there would be no such thing as size, if everything was round there would be no 'round.' It makes me wonder what other concepts may exist that we take for granted as constants.
Kate -
I would say that I believe that all humans are born with a blank slate and do not know what is 'good and evil' until their environment teaches them otherwise, which sounds similar to your belief.
Although this could almost turn into the whole nature nuture debate, if we wanted to go that far. I know my own opinion on the matter, but how do you justify cases where there are certain genetic and biological tendencies to be a certain way or the other (alcoholism, sexual orientation, depression, some psychological issues like multiple personality disorder, bipolarism, etc.)?
I am asking for those further points. :-D
Kate, I would love to hear (read) some further points, I think what you're saying is really interesting.
And I can agree with a fear of death correlating with a belief in an after life. I've never feared death, but I've never believed that anything would happen to me after I die. Well, I suppose that's not entirely true, when I was little I sort of bought into the heaven-hell aspect, but that actually made me excited to get done with my life to know where I would go, if that makes any sense. But I didn't believe in it for very long, and I never believed in any other sort of after-life, and I've never feared death, so I can see a correlation there through personal experience.
I really believe in self-reliance. This was instilled by my parents (authority) and logically, it makes sense. If you cant rely on yourself, then how can you get through life?
My parents believed in a sink-or-swim (i'm sorry for the cliche! but it was appropriate) approach, education by total immersion (sometimes literal immersion). By learning to rely on yourself, it gives you the ability to make your own decisions and come up with innovative solutions to problems. For those who babysit, remember the first time? Something happens...and you just have to deal with it on your own.
I believe that all people develope the same basic sense of right and wrong in their early childhood. When you are really little, you are very self-oriented, but as you get older, you become aware of other people and what hurts them or makes them happy. Why else would little kids call eachother names when they want to hurt feelings? I think it is because, through that sense, they know it is hurtful. The same holds true for kindness etc.
Continuing on with this life-and-death topic, I had the same experience as katrina, in that when I did believe in heaven, I was really curious about it, and kind of wanted to go check it out. At this point in my life, though, I am considering reincarnation or something of the like. Just as my body will someday decompose, I think the energy that once inhabited it will somehow return to the life force on this earth. You know how we learn in science that energy is neither created nor destroyed, only transfered? I think the transfer of my soul will be something like that, be it to another newborn body, or some general force of nature, I haven't the foggiest. Of course no one really knows, so I am basing this largely off of faith, plus maybe a bit of inexplicable intuition. This philosophy helps me to find a sort of peace, and a sense of belonging, so I figure even if it turns out it isn't true, I am still benefiting from it. But hopefully I'll have to wait awhile to find out.
i believe that after life we are not reincarnated or live on through our children. I believe that after death you go to heaven. This is a Christian belief but i back up with my belief in it with the bible which is accounts of people with god in there lives and from people that followed Jesus to his death and listened to his teachings. I have experience with god through by belief, and Christianity. I have a spiritual relationship with god.
I also just wanted to comment on someones comment about us creating religion to explain our questions that could not be answered. If this is truly your belief i was wondering if you had any theories as to why they would create religion that just brought up more questions about the universe and our existence. and more confusion as to what is true. If we made it up to answer questions of where we came from and all why not just not create religion and say it is science and no other choices
I'm not the one who said the thing about us creating religion to explain questions, but I would like to answer with my take on the matter because I also believe it. I think that people did create religion because within the one religion, it does explain everything rather than creating confusion. And even science isn't terribly concrete, there's always room for error, and someone had to come up with science as well. Basically, I think everything we're taught is largely based on authority, so, I don't really know where I'm getting at. But does that sort of make sense?
One belief that I hold the most dearly to me is to respect your fellow man. For example, when looking at the picture at the beginning of the year ("Freedom of Choice is the Right to Hate"), at first I thought that what he said was true, and that he was exercising his freedom of choice. But when I found out that it was at Matthew Shepperds funeral, I felt very emotional about seeing that picture in its content. My emotions deffintely get in the way of my beliefs, but also it seems like it helps to support my beliefs and to strengthen them. I may have gotten off onto a tangent, and I just lost my train of thought...wait...I got it back. But yeah, I deffinitely feel very emotional about a person treating their fellow man as their equal, no matter if they're gay or not (me personally being gay). I don't know, I think that it may be a logical argument, but really it is an emotional argument/justification...whatever. So, yeah. That's just my thought.
My reasoning on the whole life after death deal is that, at the moment, this is the only life I know I've got, so I intend to make the most of it. Other than that, a belief that I hold dear is that I will never choose to take part in any form of religion. I understand how it can be a very positive thing, but for me it would mean that I was entrusting the outcome of my life to someone else. The only person who has the right to decide my worth in life is me. Though I hate to say it, I justify this through intuition alone.
A belief that I hold dear is that man is innately pure and good. I cannot look at people and believe to any degree that they are naturally inclined to harm or kill one another. I think what causes all the horrible things in the world is not the nature of man, but the effects of outside influences on individuals. This belief comes from how I personally perceive and experience the world. It is also partially intuition, but I really have never met a person who I have believed/perceived to be innately bad.
Half of what I believe can't be expressed in the depth that I believe it, and even if it could, I don't know if I would have the incentive to do so. This is because I believe in the importance of self trust, self awareness, and most importantly, self purpose, and that's a personal issue, one that not only seems impossible to make public, since I'm still figuring it out myself. . However, one can't exist without the other two, kind of like that crazy health triangle we learned about in...health class...imagine that. I believe Without self trust/awareness, and idea of who you are, who you're trying to be (although it's easy to fail, as I know through experience) and how you're trying to become this being, beliefs seem rancid, unworthy. I know this through intuition and revelation, the importance that faith plays in my existence, and my reflections on others' existence and how I should react to those. It's also logical, that without a significant understanding of my values and my desires, I can't expect to embrace them, fulfill them, and remotely acheive happiness. So basically as triteas it sounds, I realize the importance of believing in myself. Going off of that, if I'm going to believe in myself, I need to believe in them as well, no mater who they are because I don't have reason to believe otherwise. Again, logic, and basic faith...morals....ininsight that for all I know could be coming from blind eyes. However, the faith I put in other people and their personal faith diverges from mine, because it's difficult to trust in the unknown...so basically I am currently holding dear the belief that we all have potential, and we don't have the right to underestimate someone's potential or inner stength, since there is no logical way to witness said strength in any other person bessides ourselves. This is why I say that what I believe can't necessarily be expressed, because one's inner potential is invisible without imperical evidence, but even without that evidence, faith is vital.
One belief that I hold dear is that there is no true religion. I believe that there is not just religion, but an aspect of spirituality. Through experience, I know that every religious belief is right to someone. Although, I may not agree with some religions, I think it is key that we accept other people’s beliefs because everyone can be right and wrong at the same time. Thus, no religion is more important than another.
One thing that i actually do hold dearly is actually my friends... Because a life without friends really kinda sucks. I justify this belief because come on, everyone has friends and with friends you share laughs, thought, and events. This is what i believe because friends are those who you can depend on for help or anything really.
One belief that I hold dear is that people have the need to have faith in something; that we need to have something we believe so deeply in, that there is nothing that can change our beliefs. Some people rely on religion, ignoring comments on its faults and inaccuracies, because it is their constant, and nothing they say can change that. Others look to science, where they rely on facts to make it their constant, finding ways to fill in the holes of the inaccuracies and faults. There are also other things people look to believe in, yet we all need something that is our constant. I find my constant in the fact that I believe that there is nothing as good and evil, therefore there is no distinction in my mind, and people are not classified into one or the other.
A belief that I have started to develop recently is the importance of improving society. Some might think that this belief is too utopial, but I justify my belief primarily through logic. I feel that if everyone does something to help society, problems that we face daily will slowly start to be resolved. However, I realize that there is no way that we can make everyone happy. For example, if one person decides to find ways to abolish racism, another person, who is a racist, will obviously be against it. Yet, logically, I feel that there are some issues that a majority of the population will agree on, such as global warming, which, if not resolved, can at least be controlled. Overall, I think that social work can improve everyone's lives in some way or another.
In response to what Seanna said, I think that intuition definitely plays a part in a lot of my justifications mainly because I can't find a better reason for why I believe in something, it's just sort of there. I remember that I always used to believe that I would crash if I was on a plane (I know it's a bad example). Yet, I didn't have any reason to feel that way, I just had a gut feeling.
One belief I hold more or less dear is that everyone has a conscience. Experience and logic based on faith in the immutable laws of God both agree on this point.
Another belief I have that is crucial to all of science is that the physical world behaves in a rational and logical way. Again, experience and faith in a logical Creator complement each other on this one. Here's another: We have the minds to comprehend this universe of ours. Experience can't wrap this one up, because perhaps we don't know that we can't comprehend something. But faith that we are created in the image of the Creator does the job.
In fact, I'm reading a book right now with a chapter examining how modern science would not have arisen (and did not arise) without around seven beliefs of the Jewish and Christian faiths. These are just two of them.
I agree with Elliot's previous comment about taking the theory of not judging a book by its cover into friendship. There have been many times where I haven't initially liked a person such as by just playing soccer with them or just knowing them in class but once I got to know them they turned out to be completely different than I thought. I believe that before you judge someone you should at least give them a chance to prove themselves to you.
In response to Puma and Katrina-
regarding my nature vs. nurture statement, undoubtably environment is a huge factor, is it not often said that we are shaped by our experiences? However,I feel that we must have an original drive to do the things we do in certain situations. Puma mentioned the connection to genetics such as with alchohalism and depression-- and I agree, those ARE environmental factors that definitly influence lives of many, however, aren't there people who develope depression and alchohalism without the gene? It's also like the non-gene-related idea that children from abusive households may develope normally, yet how is it that if all they know is hate and violence, they still learn to love and bond normally? And the opposite is children born into good and strong households, being raised on good morals and love and kindness, yet somehow turn out to become serial-killers? I suppose there could be a serial-killer gene(potentially?)but surely this example is not one of environmental influence.
I like your idea Kate, I'd never actually thought about it from that standpoint before. But I do agree with you on it.
For some odd reason, I can think of more things that I don't believe in than things that I do. I guess that's sort of a belief in and of its self. I don't believe in certainty. There is no way that somebody is defienently right and someone else is definently wrong, there's no such thing as a guarantee, nothing.
But at the same time, I'm being hypocritical, because what I'm saying is that I'm certain there's no such thing as certainty so I'm contradicting myself. I guess my deepest beliefs are simply the ones about treating others with kindness and all that stuff people are usually expected to do. Beyond those basic beliefs in decency, I don't know if there is anything that I can believe with any certainty.
A belief that I have is that it is important to have faith in what you believe, and to have enough drive to change things if you think they need changing. This is important not because I think it is important to force my ideas on others, because that isn't important in my eyes, but it is worth while because if there is a change you believe needs to be done, then who better to be and make that change than said person?
and if the person with the ideas doesn't have faith in their ideas, then no one else will either
I concur with mantolin, I think we need to have enough faith in our convictions or else nothing will get done and we only leave room for chaos (and I think we all know that that's a horrible thing, according to the Elizabethan chain of life).
I strongly believe that stereotypes are wrong. I despise them so much. How can you convince yourself that you know so much about a person just by the way they look? I realize everyone instinctively judges people when they meet them, but assuming you know so much about a person based on these judgments is wrong.
I simply believe that people need to enjoy life. Despite the fact that I have hope in the after life, I think that we as people need to enjoy our lives on this earth. I justify this by faith and logic. I hold the belief dear that we need to enjoy life because there is no greater gift than what we have been given. Logic comes into play in the respect that if someone is not enjoying what he or she is doing they will not take the time to do it well. In addition to this I believe that we need to work hard because nothing worth doing has ever been done without effort. At times we may not enjoy what we are doing but we need to try and make it enjoyable in some respect because despite life being the one thing we all have, it can easily be taken away.
-Graham P
A belief that i have is the idea of modesty. It seems that in the world we are surrounded by excess. I look around at the values of our advanced society and i am horrified by the fact that people are buying $5000 dogs and $60,000 J. Galiano gowns, when people even here in the Fort Collins area barely have enough to scrape by. I am a strong believer in the saying "Live simply, so that others may simply live." I justify this belief, through experience, and paticularly the values that i have.
I believe that everyone is born free of sin. Although some may feel that humans are instinctively bad creatures, as I see it, everyone is born with an equal chance of success. It is the curiousity and failings of human nature which lead us all to err. Through my intuition and faith, this belief of mine has remained constant for years.
I believe that the human race is inherently good. I live around some who persistently argue this idea. But, as I look around and live my life, experience shows this goodness. It is also partly instinctive, seeing the decisions people make in split seconds just out of their own personal nature. In a way it is also logical. Why would humans be prone to evil? This would lead to overwhelming problems in the society and potentially create a population that is unsustainable.
Just for clarity-can people who don't have their own names as their usernames put their real name at the bottom of their post (such as what Graham is doing) please? It would help me immensly.
For me, I believe in maintaining an impartial point of view towards heavy topics such as the Iraq war, Abortion, and the like. Such an idea is justified by logic, in addition to the fact that not only I practice such a faith but also my father does as well. Plus, my conscience tells me that I don't need to create a rift between my peers and I; therefore I do my best to avoid what would typically be controversial situations. I am the sort of person who dislikes confrontation and does not want it to occur when it's clearly unnecessary. Granted, I do have opposition to certain ideas or ideologies that others may find appalling or mean, but I tend to keep these to myself unless it directly affects my beliefs or my family.
I find what Kelly says to be interesting. I do believe that humanity is fundamentally good, however there are evil people. I define evil by the senseless wickedness and pain unleashed against individuals, and I have to admit, I find Hitler, Bin Laden, and Hussein to be evil. I appreciate Kelly's optimistic outlook on life, but I wonder what good she sees in men like these. As far as I am concerned, they are/were wasting oxygen. Kelly, could you please justify to me how people like these have kindness in them?
I believe that we have the right to believe whatever we choose. The right to agree and disagree with one another or to form our own beliefs. I hold dear the thought that each day is different and that we have the control to steer our day in one direction or another. Of course there are external issues that can and probably will conflict with this idea, but I believe we can always make a choice regarding such issues.
Hi Mrs King
Its Phillip Ross and I have my account. I will post bestow my insightful knowledge later...(hopefully friday)
-Phillip
What do I believe? Well, I believe in equal rights, but everybody believes in equal rights, so uh, let's chose something else! I believe that we never landed on the moon (well at least not in 1969). In 9th grade ICPE (With Mr. Malone mind you) we watched a video about it, quite interesting, but the whole montage of atomic bomb and Hitler stuff in the end made me a little skeptical. In conclusion, we didn't land on the moon in 1969.
I believe that the people in your life are what really matter. Friends and family are what make us happy. Of course, we are all involved with our hobbies that we love dearly, but that's only an extra bonus. If we didn't have the people to go to that we can really count on, what are we supposed to do when our little hobby is not enough? I know this from experience. Sometimes I've been in uncomfortable positions or boring places, but when I'm with the people I love, I find a way to have fun and be happy. And the opposite is true; even if I'm doing something I love, I feel sort of empty if I can't share it with my friends/family.
A strong belief that I hold is that I believe in Karma. Right now I'm kind of on the fence about Karma because experience often proves otherwise, I have always believed in karma. I think I believe in karma because I have faith that the natural order of good and bad will always be restored (by who? I don't know...) I think it is also partly because of intuition that I believe that if someone does something good then good things should also follow for that person.
To respond to Annie's comment, I think that no human is born evil, not even Hitler. All our responses to the world around us our based on our background and the experiences we have had, vicariously or not. This means that it is circumstances that force people to become "evil". Also, you should consider that what you define as evil, may not be what other people think of as evil. Slavery in the U.S. for instance. Most white southerns would not have agreed had you said that that was evil, because that was the way they were raised.
One belief I hold to be true, based simply on faith, conscience, experience and intuition, is the need to care for those you love. Whether it be your family or your friends, I think that all humans have a duty to do good while they are alive and the easiest way to do that is to start close to home and take care of the people around you to the best of your ability.
A belief that I hold very dear is that all humans are not created equal. I base this mainly on logic and experience (I forget what the technical term for that is). Logically I know that some people are born with diseases and disabilities where as some people are born with amazing, healthy bodies. Some people are born into poverty or slavery and others have a loving family, with plenty of money, living in a good neighborhood. Nothing is fair or equal, nor does it make any sense. On a biological level everyone has different DNA, isn't that proof enough? Anyways, I guess as for why this is a belief that I hold dear: because I think that to understand people and their motives and their life we must first examine the playing field and understand our diversity, both beautiful and terrible.
I believe that we are completely shaped by the events of our past, and that our experiences define who were are today. From our past comes our fears, hopes, dreams, and also our own knowledge and beliefs, justified by experience. I know that I can think of certain events in my past that make me who I am today. Humans have a tendancy to cling to the past, and I think that only when we can let go of these thoughts and emotions can we truly live.
A belief that I hold dearly is respecting other people's opinions. I know it sounds cliche' and all, but I really do feel this way.
Although part fo this belief comes from authority and my morals, I mainly believe this because of experience. I am a very opinionated person and many times I am vocal on my opinions. I used to challenge people's beliefs all the time (I still do, but not so much now) and I would try to degrade their beliefs and make them look like trash. However, I realized that many of the people I was challenging were my friends and I realized that the last thing I wanted to do was lose my friends over politics. I'm still vocal about my opinions, but Inow I'm willing to listen to other people's opinions and respect them. I've also discovered that it makes a more itneresting conversation because neither part feels threatened.
Sorry if I rambled, I just felt that ym justification needed some support...
Oh, and Mr. T (aka Michael), I really like what you said on nothing being for certain. It was deep.
Rick Andrews
what i believe... hmm... i believe in happiness...
(-_-;;;) I mean... who can live without being happy? It's instinct to live a happy life. Everyone tries to achieve happiness in the end, for oneself and for others. It's what people want for each other. we go for that road, rather than the opposite. i mean.. who can live a life that is not happy? it's from experiences too... you can have sad days that you just feel like you can't go on, but people move one, toward the light of happiness...
-_- ? ...
I believe that people should be more open to talking about sex. I believe many important issues, especially regarding safe sexual practices, aren't addressed in sex-education classes. I base this mainly on my experiences and logic. I have seen many times how awkward people get when they are forced to talk about sex, and how it prevents them from learning about sex. In tenth grade, I gave my persuasive project on pornography and how damaging it is. That is an issue I have never heard addressed by a teacher or a student. Logically, I think that issues, like pornography and safe sex, that can affect someone's mental and physical well-being, should be talked about and taught in school.
a strong belief...pause...i believe that there is no supernatural force out there controlling our every move. i believe that we, as humans are ithe same as animals; when we die, we cease to exist forever, like animals. Millions of years from now, if we haven't been hit by an ateroid yet, i believe that we would've evolved into some high-functioning organism. i justify this by authority, because i've been surrounded by this idea my entire life, and like the dude in the cave, i don't wish to face the light, if it is light, no matter how much better it seems to be compared to the cave that i am in now. i am also using sense perception and logic, because if our soul/being resides in the brain, and the brain dies, then we die with it.
WOW! First of all I think this is so cool. All the ideas on here are so deep and big. But I guess that's why its TOK.
As for my belief that I hold dear, it is the Golden Rule, "Do unto others, as you would like done unto you." Mainly, that it works and it should be practiced more often.
I can justify this using EXPERIENCE. A while back I met this kid who was extremely ill-tempered and rude. Now, I don't know why he was acting like this; could be low self-esteem or external issues, but he was just mean. Thus, he didn't have many friends of any sort. However, I treated him with the same kindness and respect that I would want to be treated with, and as the story goes, he became a good friend. Thus, by treating him kindly when no one else would I gained a new friend.
While I'm on here, I'm going to express my opinions on flipping the "birdie." This tangent resulted from my student sister driver being on the recieving one this evening. Of course, being in the car and wanting to defend my sister I wanted to flip a "bird" right back, but I caught myself. I thought about the time that someone gave me the "finger." First of all I felt anger, then a sour mood that lasted with me for maybe half the day. This was not a good feeling and I think that shadow of gloom affected everyone that I came in contact that day. So before, I perpetuated the cycle of anger and possibly dampening of the moods of everyone that person knew, I decided to keep my emotions in check. Message: Before you decide to give someone the "finger" or flip a "birdie, stop to think, and DO NOT DO IT!
Thanks for listening to my tangent.
ok so i totally agree with adrienne about animal rights. i don't think it's 'ok' to eat animals either and i am a big fan of not torturing and/or killing them. like for example i kind of strongly dislike michael vick. my justification for this belief that animals don't deserve to be eaten or anything is also logic because i just don't think it's something that you would do to a person, so why would you want to cause pain to something that is less capable of defending itself? also, animals are cute.
"I feel good because I believe I have made progress in rebuilding the people's trust in their government."
-Arnold Schwarzenegger
A belief I hold dear is that the individual must sustain the function of his reasoning mind. The worthiest accomplishments in society have been made based off of the individual's thought and nature. A person should live because of his own motives and should not ever sacrifice the rationale of his own thought. I justify this belief through logic and personal experience. "The creative faculty cannot be given or received, shared or borrowed. It belongs to single, individual men...No man can give another the capacity to think." -Ayn Rand, The Fountainhead
If any of you have listened to NPR, you may have heard a segment called “This I believe…” The gist of this radio program is that people record/write about something they believe in, and this is broadcast around the country. I’ve always found this segment very fascinating because of the diversity of responses that are broadcast. I mention this because it may interest some of you.
I believe that people with power have the responsibility to influence the world around them in a positive way (although I realize that what is termed “positive” could be taken in many ways). I see too many celebrities, for example, wasting the influence they have. I think that because people are generally influenced by society, that a person with power (or money) could make a huge difference. One of the reasons I believe this so strongly is because of my CONSCIENCE. Because of my morality, I see what many of them doing as wrong. This also relates to my self-awareness and how I would behave in a similar position.
Of course, everything I hear about the people with power is information gotten from AUTHORITY (such as the media). I actually have no real life experience with any of these people. However, my logic and connecting events helps lead me to these conclusions.
I was wondering, while on the subject of human being and life after death and morality and all that jazz, have any of you wondered if everyone is a robot and you are the only true being? That sounds really weird but I have thought of that many times. How does one know that another one knows? Or to put it more simply, how does one know that another thinks?
I tried reading everyone's posts before posting mine so as to not repeat any previously stated beliefs, however there really are just too many, so I hope I am not reiterating anything. I apologize in advance if I am.
I genuinely believe that "IGNORANCE IS BLISS," to a certain level. I can hear alarms going off in everyone's heads already, but I feel that sometimes, some things are better left UNSAID, some mysteries are best left UNSOLVED, and some reasonings can be logically UNJUSTIFIABLE.
I believe that life is meant to be lived with a certain extent of MAGIC. Call me NAIVE, but when you look at the stars, do you see a million ROCKS, or a million WISHES and PRAYERS of hopeful masses looking for a phenomenon that reflects the BEAUTY OF THE HUMAN SPIRIT? Neither of these statements has to be WRONG. Which do you prefer? Which leaves you with more FAITH in these MYSTERIOUS journeys on which we unknowingly embark every day?
I believe you can choose to live in whatever state of "ENLIGHTENMENT" you prefer, and varying levels suit different people. However, to JUDGE whether someone is right or wrong in their beliefs is a VIOLATION of your boundaries as a human being just like them. You don't stand on a PEDESTAL when you lord your "more enlightened" views over someone. You have proven that your IGNORANCE towards their choices portrays a HYPOCRISY that makes you a far more "un-enlightened" person than they.
So, in summary, I guess I believe in varying levels of consciousness to "enlightenment" and the freedom to choose whatever makes your life more "MAGICAL" by your own definition.
testing again
another test...
A belief that I hold dear is...well, kind of cheesy. But I really do think that anyone can accomplish anything as long as they put their heart and mind into it. Once that goal is reached, than I believe that pretty much anything can be accomplished.
A belief of mine is that what you get out of an experience is highly dependent on how much effort and everything that you put into it. I know from experience that when I was younger and thoroughly enjoyed going to school I would put a lot of time and effort into even the smallest assignments (such as memorizing a poem in 2nd grade)that they stuck with me for longer than a class period...I still remember that poem.
My belief is very similar to Mandie's in that I also believe that anyone can accomplish what they want under any circumstances, as long as they are willing to work hard enough for it. Through many of my experiences and those around me, I have found that it really is true, even if there are some obstacles along the way.
Umm..I'm not even going to try to read the 97 comments above me.
A belief that I hold dear is that everyone deserves a second chance. My justification for it is experience and logic. No one in this world is perfect. Every human beings can, and do make mistakes in their lives. Through many experiences, both big and small, in my life, I've learned that my viewpoint of some people has changed completely after I've given them second chances.
What do you believe?
I believe that emotions should be the property of their “owner,” and that the individual should not give others a clear view into their feelings. Showing others an in depth view into your emotions is not pleasant for them or for you. There are some things which everyone should keep private, and emotions are some of the most primal and true things we have. However, I am not saying that you should not use your emotions to aide your judgment. As long as you are aware of them and the effect that they may have on your decisions, I think that they are a valuable tool. I only maintain that showing an excess of emotion to those around you can sometimes make you appear weak, unstable, and wanting attention.
One belief that i hold true is the notion that if you work hard enough towards something and really put your energy into it you will be rewarded; even if it isn't exactly what you started out for in the beginning, the process is often the most rewarding thing, along with the knowledge that you tried your best. I justify this by personal experience and from authority.
I believe that beliefs can trap us. Many of the beliefs listed above are about religion (or lack there of). However, no one can ever logically prove or disprove the existence of a higher being. So, why make generalizations and draw premature conclusions about something that cannot be known? We are wasting our time and energy.
Also, people often use their beliefs as an excuse to not listen to others. They become too attached to their beliefs, and don’t stop to consider any opinions that contradict them. If we were all to approach life with a blank slate instead of trying to assemble our faulty beliefs, there would be a lot more knowledge to be gained. A person who lives only in his/her head is not truly living….I know this from experience.
I seriously believe that I want to know who everyone is here, so please please please sign your name if your username isnt easy to figure out!!
I believe that soul mates exist but that most people never find theirs. We are often so caught up in other things that we dont' pay the attention we should to them. Other people miss their soul mate by settling for someone that they love, but who are not their soul mate. There is also the problem of geography and demographics, for I think that love come out of a common nature, no matter the age, the location and/or the upbringing of both parties involved. Moreover, many also succumb to society's dictation, such as when they think that an age-gap relationship is not acceptable, even if there is an age gap between a person and his/her soul mate. I justify this belief with both introspection and faith. I don't know if I will find my soul mate or not, but it's nice to wish anyway.
I believe that there is no meaning to life and that humans, in all their wisdom, are steadily working towards their own destruction. I also believe that if there is a God, and there is a Christ, Jesus is living in a mental asylum somewhere and nobody will believe a word he says.
A belief that i hold dear is that there is good in every person no mattter what their past indicates. I justify this belief with acquaintence, conscience, empathy, memory, and faith. Through these justifications i fell that i can always prove that there is always good in every person even if it is so minute, there is still good.
I'm going to repeat myself and Dani that I would love to know who's saying what so
PLEASE SIGN YOUR NAMES WITH YOUR POSTS UNLESS WE CAN CLEARLY FIGURE IT OUT FROM YOUR USERNAME!!!! I BEG YOU!!!
a belief i hold dear is that beliefs can change, i try not to hold too many beliefs to dearly because i have learned that over time that your beliefs grow and change as you grow and change. i justify this with memory mainly... after all at one point i did in fact think santa was real, one christmas night i did hear sleigh bells,theoretically "logical" proof, but obviously now i really don't believe that santa is real....
I believe that humans are not the end-all be-all of evolution. If things have been evolving for millions of years, what makes us last? The pinnacle of evolution?
"And then there was man."
I justify this belief with logic, because evolution has been proven by scientists throughout the ages, acquaintance knowledge because I know about the subject, and authority, because I place trust in the scientific community, and agreement with many ideas in the excellent novel "Ishmael".
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