Realistically speaking, the probability of flying like superman won't change based on believing you can, but what about healing, achieving a dream, being a professional athlete... can any of these probabilities change if we believe enough?
2006-07-11 02:41:05 · 18 answers · asked by surfsunandfunn 1 in Health ➔ Mental Health
I have a bet with my roommate that Belief CAN change the probability of certain events. Help me proove him wrong.
2006-07-23 12:07:34 · update #1
Thank you all for your answers... keep them coming. Examples/ references definately help.
2006-07-24 03:54:01 · update #2
So far I've read 18 answers. Thank you for writing everyone. And so far, there seems to be some mixed feelings about my question. I will print all of these answers out and read them over to continue developing my thoughts... but for the record, it seems that the word "probability" is a finite mathematical equation that leads to a specific answer. But can we truly measure our abilities and mental potential using such equations? According to scientist, everything we know about reality is completely thrown away when we look at things on a molecular scale (Answer #18 eludes to this with a reference to the movie "What the Bleep do we know.") Renowned Scientist Stephen Hawking suggests space and time have no limits... religions speak of miracles... and apparently, we only use 10% of our brains. These statements only further feed my question of what is possible. Personally, I think my question is ahead of its time. I wonder what these answers would look like in 3+million years from now. hmmm?
2006-07-25 02:25:10 · update #3
Yes it can. Little miracles happen every day. I've seen it. I have found a better way.!
Contact me at sos@lighthouseofhalo.com
2006-07-22 20:42:07 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Hello. In a statistical sense, no belief cannot influence the outcome of probability. But then probability can refer to just likelihood. In that case strong belief is more than a subtle influence. Take the 911 tragedy. A few guys with box cutters killed thousands. They had a very strong belief in their mission and ascendence into heaven.Lance Armstrong won the tour de France 7 times suffering from bouts of cancer which is unbelievable (against all odds).His belief had to be enormous and change the odds to his favor. Have a great week.
2006-07-25 01:16:44 · answer #2 · answered by firestarter 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes definitely belief changes probability. Heard of the legendary Mr George Foreman who at the age of 47 beat his opponent (i think about half of his age) and became the World's Heavy Weight Champion. It was front page news on most of the World's newspapers who reported that event. It happened when i was a kid and so i do not know the exact year. What was it that drove him? It was only belief which worked hard in his psyche and got nurtured as he fed it with a lot of determination, resolve and hard work. When he started working in his practice with he must have prayed come what may, he must beat his opponent. Skill also counts to a large extent.
In other words, we our goals are set and we take action in achieving them, we will start paving the way and finally victory will be ours. Good luck.
2006-07-24 10:43:36 · answer #3 · answered by easyboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe it's true. Self fulfilling prophesy often affect how people perform...if they expect to fail, it's more likely they will, if they dont think they can accomplish something, its likely that they will be unsuccessful. With medical things, I honestly believe that if you have the will to live and to fight, you can beat an illness. Of course you can believe it all you want in some medical cases and chances are that what's going to happen is going to happen, but i have personal experience with a friend who was never expected to recover from an illness, but he did. He was never supposed to regain his brain function (he had brain damage from seizures) but three years later he is the same fun loving guy, driving, working, doing everything he said he would do. So yes, i believe it is possible.
2006-07-24 21:22:01 · answer #4 · answered by Fade__Out 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes I think it probably can. I know awareness can heal. Since I was a child If I have a pain I put my awareness into it and feel the pain as much as I can, and keep my attention there, and after a while I can feel the pain breaking up and dissipating. I have helped a friend with a life-threatening illness this way by talking to her and getting her to relax and do this. Her doctors said they were amazed at how fast she recovered.
2006-07-11 09:56:40 · answer #5 · answered by survivor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, having a positive attitude makes something more likely. You can be happier about yourself and fit into your world better. But believing the unlikely can set you up for a crash- You can become a better athlete but , for most people, not at the professional level. It's good to be optimistic but at the same time realistic.
2006-07-22 03:10:48 · answer #6 · answered by chilixa 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
strong beliefs, or covictions,can change the probabilities, i support your thinking. but you haven't quoted any examples, when you experinced the results of such beliefs ?
i am a professionally trained social worker, and recently, about 5 years onwards, learnt tarot. we have an inherent store of amazing mental power, which we hardly use. if we can gear it, towards the achievement of our goals, coupled with genuine efforts, we are sure to succeed. it requires training our intuitive powers, sending the correct vibes, strong wil power, purity of mind, ability to visualise things, and read minds.
going weak in the knees itself starts a negative signal. so let your mind fly towards the goal without fearof failure, the probability would definately change. as far as your friend is concerned, experiment with him, by asking him to decide on some thing, which he thinks is not going to happen, and gear it to the achievement, by srongly believing it, he should also put in efforts, both practically, and by trust that it's going to happen !but don't experiment with any negative ideas, tere are some people on this planet, who always wish bad things for others, and proud if it actually happens !
2006-07-25 02:30:55 · answer #7 · answered by palador 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch the DVD "What the bleep do we know" (I rented it at blockbuster, Netflix has it too).
The section about the study of water crystals after they were exposed to negative words alone is a good clue to the answer to your question--yes, belief can can outcome.
2006-07-25 07:22:42 · answer #8 · answered by Love2Sew 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not know what the principle is called, but subatomic particles can be influenced by simply observing them. Maybe they feel like they're under pressure or something.
2006-07-23 04:00:40 · answer #9 · answered by Zrk Zyzyk 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Within you right now is the power to do things you never dreamed possible. This power becomes available to you just as soon as you can change your beliefs." -- Dr. Maxwell Maltz
2006-07-22 22:45:36 · answer #10 · answered by Xangoman 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋