Re:Does religion make you nice? Does atheism make you mean?
by dgordon on Monday November 10, 2008 @03:13AM
(#359020)
"Second truth isn't everything - it looks that way, but when you run a civilization entirely on truth it fails, and can not survive."
When you run a civilization (whatever "running a civilization" means) based entirely on truth (the facts of reality) it cannot survive? How's that? And, by the way, what's the alternative to that? Lies, wishes, and general irrationality? How's that working out?
Re:Does religion make you nice? Does atheism make you mean?
by ars on Tuesday November 11, 2008 @09:43AM
(#360536)
Just to give you a quick example of what I mean - imagine if police knew every single time you didn't come to a complete stop, or sped up to make a yellow light.
Or if people around you knew every single thing you thought about them. Or if your parents knew every time you misbehaved.
Civilization would not survive such a thing. You need the lies. A world where people could not (or would not) ever lie would not function.
Re:Does religion make you nice? Does atheism make you mean?
by tomsaffell on Sunday November 09, 2008 @11:07PM
(#358845)
Agreed on all points (except the use of 'simple' :). I found the book 'Life of Pi' useful in understanding this. I recommend it highly to everyone.
First of all it's impossible to know which is correct. So instead you look at the effect on people.
Second truth isn't everything - it looks that way, but when you run a civilization entirely on truth it fails, and can not survive.
I have a feeling you're not going to understand this, it took me years to understand it - I wanted only truth, and was utterly miserable, until I understood that truth isn't everything (and I'm not talking about religion BTW).
Sometimes believing something that is wrong gives a better outcome. Which is more important? The truth? Or the outcome?
Don't answer quickly - philosophers have been arguing about this for millennia. I chose truth and was miserable. I recently changed my mind.