Mike's Theory of ... Belief, Faith, Knowledge and Other Junk
Upon hearing/learning a new principle we each have an associated “sphere” of knowledge of the principle (or piece of information). The size of the sphere depends on the understanding we have of the principle and the amount of faith or belief we have in it. The sphere starts as an unsubstantial material. Our future experience with the principle acts to harden the material. Once the material is sufficiently hardened, we have the capacity to increase our understanding of the principle. This increase in understanding corresponds with an increase in the size of the sphere. However, this new knowledge does not layer on the sphere with the same substantial material as our “Faith-hardened” core. Instead, it is added on as that same unsubstantial material as the initial knowledge produced. Similarly, it does not harden until experience confirms the truthfulness of the principle. Hardening experiences act to harden the entire sphere, not just the outer most layer. When the layers of the sphere become hard enough, we no longer say, “I believe xxx”, but instead, “I know xxx.”
Sometimes, we expand our knowledge of a certain principle only to have experience come and tear away the soft material. Similarly, certain experiences act to soften the hardened material and weaken our belief in the principle. Our experiences constantly act to either soften or harden our beliefs. It is through an unbalance that we either strengthen or weaken our belief in something. This is how someone can come to disbelieve something they once “knew.”
When we search for truth, we must take each principle we learn and seek experiences to either verify or disprove that principle. This is how we “exercise our faith.” Every true principle will generate only those experiences that serve to harden its sphere. However, any slight misunderstanding of the principle, or an incorrect (non-objective/biased) view of the experience may cause what should be a hardening experience to soften or eliminate the faith in a certain principle. It’s dangerous to set aside any belief that has been “disproved” without first ensuring (as much as is possible) that you have a correct understanding of the principle and you are as objective as possible (good luck with the second one).
Mike--see my theory on personal thresholds two posts down.
Sometimes, we expand our knowledge of a certain principle only to have experience come and tear away the soft material. Similarly, certain experiences act to soften the hardened material and weaken our belief in the principle. Our experiences constantly act to either soften or harden our beliefs. It is through an unbalance that we either strengthen or weaken our belief in something. This is how someone can come to disbelieve something they once “knew.”
When we search for truth, we must take each principle we learn and seek experiences to either verify or disprove that principle. This is how we “exercise our faith.” Every true principle will generate only those experiences that serve to harden its sphere. However, any slight misunderstanding of the principle, or an incorrect (non-objective/biased) view of the experience may cause what should be a hardening experience to soften or eliminate the faith in a certain principle. It’s dangerous to set aside any belief that has been “disproved” without first ensuring (as much as is possible) that you have a correct understanding of the principle and you are as objective as possible (good luck with the second one).
Mike--see my theory on personal thresholds two posts down.
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