how can we develop certainty?

Answer 1

It is very difficult to arrive at absolute certainty here's why. There are a number of obstacles to this kind of absolute proof in philosophy. One excellent example can be found in mathematics. Godel's Incompleteness Theorm proves that no system of mathematics can be absolute and complete because no set of numbers can contain itself. This sounds trivial, but it is actually earth shaking. For more on these paradoxes that prohibit complete knowledge and absolute certainty, see the works of Hume, Heisenberg and of course Godel. Some really great sites which deal with this dilemma are:

http://www.fortunecity.com/emachines/e11/86/certain.html

http://www.kolmogorov.com/GiaquintoSC.html

http://www.zabada.com/zabada/deals/Incompleteness-The-Proof-and-Paradox-of-Kurt-Godel-Great-dicoveries-/0393051692/item?reviewPage=2

Of course you might have been asking about certainty in other fields like physics or some of the other sciences. These areas also have been unable to develop any method to assure absolute certainty. Quantum mechanics itself is not based (and can never be based) on absolute certainty. The best answer it can give is one of probability, not certainty.

Living a world where nothing is certain can be a really frightening place. It is not uncommon for many people turn away from this unnerving truth and live their lives AS IF there were certainty in the world. Depends on what that fictional certainty is whether their illusion does them or the world any real harm or not. I honestly wish that the answer was that certainty is possible. But maybe it makes us work harder because we live in a world were absolute certainty isn't possible.

Answer 2

We can't develop absolute certainty, but we can develop conventions that work most of the time that allow things like language and bridges. We can't have certainty but we can have confidence.

Answer 3

We can't. If life was to be that easy for us God would not have required "a measure of faith" for us to find Him. Even Atheists who claim to be "certain" there is no God cannot offer proof of their belief (or lack thereof) only their personal opinions. The only thing of certainty is that we will all die. Best to be certain of our eternity rather than try to seek certainty in this fleeting earthly life.

Answer 4

With personal investigation comes probability.

Answer 5

first you have to find why you want what your looking for,
then why it was ok that it wasnt around first,
because thats why it became a question
,instead of a quest