Every belief is based on faith. What SHOULD be the extent of that faith?

Question

For instance, to believe there is such a thing as a black hole requires faith in another person...an astronomer or physicist. It even takes faith in the author of the article you read about black holes in. For that matter, it takes faith that your eyes see the right words, that you see at all rather than imagine it, and that you even exist in the first place...and thusly regresses to a base level of faith...faith in one's senses. But what about faith in logic? What about faith in the scientific process actually doing what we want it to (it is assumed that past events will dictate future events, and we proceed based on faith that they actually will). But when you decide to have faith in this religious text, or that one, we agree, it is quite a different story. So, where SHOULD our faith begin and where should it end, to be honorable, responsible beings throughout life?

Answer 1

There are two different types of faith.

Faith:
1. Confident belief in the truth, value, or trustworthiness of a person, idea, or thing. (Basically, "belief.")
2. Belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. (Basically, belief based on nothing.)

True, the first definition could be applied to anything, but it doesn't have the same meaning as the second definition, and the second definiton has limits.

All of the things you listed, the belief that black holes exist, the belief that science is right, the belief that my eyes see properly, the belief that I see at all rather than just imaging things, that I even exist..., those things are all based on logic and reason. So, the first definition could apply, but certainly not the second. Religion, however, is based on the second definition of "faith" because religion relies on magical feelings and wanting to believe in something rather than any empirical evidence. But for some people, that's okay. They don't mind admitting that their religion is solely based on faith (belief that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence), and I respect those people a lot more than the ones who try to convince themselves that their beliefs are based on evidence rather than faith.

Answer 2

David Hume was a philosopher who talked about just that kind of thing. The subject is called Epistemology -- how we know what we know. Ultimately, as you pointed out, we can't logically trust our senses or our experience or really anything, because there is nothing that we totally know to be true.

However, although this is the case, you're probably better off choosing to have faith in your own perceptions, because ultimately any information that comes to you must come through perception.

From there, you can creat an understanding of the world around you; and that understanding will be completely dependent on the world you experience. Ultimately, there cannot be any objective knowledge. Everything is affected by the subjective filter of your perception.

Keeping this in mind makes it possible to realize that everyone else is in the same boat (assuming you can trust that there's really other people "out there," and they're not just a figment of your imagination...); which makes it easier to have sympathy for those whose perspectives are different than yours. You understand that there's no "absolute right" or "absolute truth"...and that is the way to be an honorable, resopnsible being.

Answer 3

Is faith required to determine whether or not sensory input is real? The question belies itself. Reality is defined through observation. Faith may effect how we interpret what we observe, but it has no bearing on what is observed. What we imagine (a dream for example) is not based on what we observe. Some people have a problem telling the 2 apart, but this has no effect on reality. If someone dreams they have wings and leaps from a 20 story building (in reality), they'll still go "splat" when the dream ends. This is reality. It is observable (at least by those who weren't dreaming).

When you refer to "having faith" in an astronomer or physicist you're not using the term properly. Through reason we can assert that the astronomer or physicist is a qualified source of information if our observations lead us to conclude that the scientist in question has the accolades necessary to make a qualified observation of the world around him/her. I can observe the writings of Stephen Hawking and use deductive reason to establish that they are indeed real. No faith required. I can conclude through inductive reasoning that he is a real and qualified physicist. No faith is required.

Faith isn't based on observation or inductive/deductive reasoning. It's based only on a desire to believe. Faith picks up where reason and observation leave off.

Answer 4

On all your examples you are clearly having a difficult time understanding where 'faith' leaves off and 'evidence based facts' begin. You are ignoring evidence which negates the need for 'faith'.
To be honorable one must have honor. Self-honesty is part of that. I see most religious people lying to themselves almost daily. Responsibility is created by taking the credit and the blame for ones own actions and dealing with the repercussions of those actions rather than palming them off onto others.

Answer 5

Faith is the assured expectation of things hoped for though not beheld. Assured expectation implies some sort of track record.

For example: You have faith in the scientist writing an article because he has a track record of producing truthful papers before. You see a man repaying loans in the past and that allows you faith he will repay in the future.

We have faith in Bible promises because it has been accurate in the past.

Answer 6

As faith is strictly a subjective practice, I would say that it can be continued to a point where it is proven "to you" to be false. Just because someone says it is true or false is not going to convince anyone...on either side of the question. It has to be a matter of individual faith.

Answer 7

Faith should go to the extent that the person believing is comfortable with. No one has ever remained long above their mind's limit of faith. Faith should bring you more peace than suffering.

Answer 8

The bible says; "Faith in the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" Hebrews 11:1 and it also says; "For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed , you will say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 14:17-20

With faith you have to begin with your heart, the Bible also says that if you believe like a child...almost like one who believes in Santa would, you know they believe with all their hearts that they were good enough to get that toy for Christmas. They believe too the fullest without asking questions or doubting in any of it

Answer 9

looks human beings in no way seem to the Bible for any assistance. Hebrews 11:a million-2===="faith is the certain expectation of issues was hoping for, the plain demonstration of realities regardless of the undeniable fact that no longer beheld. 2 For by using technique of this the lads of previous circumstances had witness borne to them." "certain expectation" and "obvious demonstration" are lively words in step with learn and study, no longer blind techniques. those are approximately destiny initiatives and grants inclusive of what all of us understand has been completed someplace else. the final assessment i ought to apply may well be a house contractor. If one hires one based basically on an advert in some ebook or something equivalent to that, then they are fools. they might promise something and you will basically pass by using BLIND faith the activity would be completed on your delight. probability is, the artwork is going to be a disaster. it incredibly is blind faith in step with no longer something of substance. Now what approximately an occasion of what Hebrews defines as faith? the comparable occasion different than this time potential contractors are investigated. What are their skills and adventure doing what one needs completed? pass see examples of their artwork. Are the proprietors chuffed along with his artwork as quickly as they have lived with it for a whilst? that's doing the homework required for an advised decision. when you have chanced on one which has the acceptance, shown to oneself, you presently have advised faith as Hebrews became talking approximately, that he will do the activity as promised on your very own delight.

Answer 10

Your faith begins with believing in something so strongly nothing can change it. Like a comatose friend will regain consciousness. When you stop believing your faith has ended.