contact@onbelief.org
A Manifesto for Change of Belief: 17 Propositions
In order to stimulate an enquiring or questioning sense of well-being in myself and others I have written a series of deliberately challenging propositions which I now invite you to contemplate then debate with me (see responses page). Although the propositions are individually modest when they are combined to form an agenda, or manifesto, they are ambitious and radical in scope.
Philosophical Propositions
Alfred North Whitehead is reported to have said, "In philosophical discussion, the merest hint of dogmatic certainty as to finality of statement is an exhibition of folly". Philosophers therefore often devise propositions as tests of meaning and reason rather than search for a believable truth. The propositions listed on this page are not written as statements of 'truth' or logic. The propositions on this page are instead statements designed to challenge culturally important everyday beliefs that many of us posses to a greater or lesser extent. In some respects they should be seen as the deliberate antithesis of what a priest or politician might ask of you. The propositions are deliberately phrased as statements of action or rejection and so act as a challenge to anyone who wishes to question or explain the legitimacy of the implied belief. When considering the propositions it might be useful to ask whether or not you consider the opposite or an alternative idea to be more useful and if so why.
A Pragmatic Belief Manifesto
I invite you to ask whether or not you consider the following propositions to be, helpful or unhelpful, useful or useless. I emphasis again they are not designed as 'truth' statements. Rather than ask yourself are the propositions logically true or false, you should ask yourself 'should I' or 'shouldn't I'. It is worth re-emphasising that belief as referred to in this manifesto is not restricted to religion.
1) Learn to distinguish between the value of belief systems with an internal logic and the utility of ideas based on observation.
2) Do not attempt to impose belief systems on others.
3) Do not accept without question the intellectual and moral authority of devout believers or their belief systems.
4) Learn from others without believing absolutely in them.
5) Teach the importance of value systems to others who would learn from you, without inviting them to believe with certainty.
6) Hold a utilitarian view of science and other systematic observation systems and welcome their evolution.
7) Do not accept the 'truth' of religions, mysticism, or political philosophies.
8) Do not treat faith as a human virtue.
9) Replace ritual with remembrance, celebration, investigation, contemplation, and debate as is fitting.
10) Do not believe in the absoluteness of law.
11) Do not build absolute belief systems around social status and economic or military power.
12) Do not denigrate believers or treat non-believers with disrespect.
13) Find harmonious ways of living without absolute belief.
14) Do not confuse non-certain belief with immorality or an amoral state
15) Do not search for a meaning to life.
16) Aim to approach death in a state of non-certain belief.
17) Enjoy the freedom of non-certain belief in a responsible manner.
Write Your Own Manifesto
Rather than take this manifesto too seriously take anything from it that you consider valuable, treat the rest with skepticism then devise and test your own. Try to envisage belief systems as they might appear from an external frame of reference, i.e. from the view of a un-believing non-adherent. In this way we can begin to see the limitations of our propositions as well as their strengths.
Rejoinder
Belief revision should not be elevated to the status of an ultimate personal or communal goal. Change for its own sake can be very unrewarding and can even be counterproductive. The principle of evolution, neurobiology and the laws of thermodynamics however teach us that adaptation is inevitable and that we do not exist in a static condition. As sentient creatures we constantly create, observe and respond to change and modify ourselves.
As we are, to a very large extent, the products of our genetic inheritance and our culture we should identify both the biological and social factors that have made us what we are. One small part of that activity might be to challenge the normative values of our culture. We can legitimately question the views of our parents, of our communities of belief and those of our children. We can also question what is said in political parties, parliaments and pulpits and enjoy combining with others to do so. Perhaps more importantly we can question the material, intellectual and emotional value of what we currently have. We can take pleasure in doubt as well as in certainty and enjoy the myriad of possibilities that the former opens up for us.
We should at various times in our lives also consider whether or not our belief systems have become more important to us than our own sense of wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around us. Where our belief systems cause distress to ourselves or others we should consider modifying them. Where they bring happiness we should consider enhancing them.
Finally, we should explore and pursue the 'good and satisfactory life' in it's many forms for there is nothing more valuable or more important.
More Propositions
For those who are interested another and perhaps more challenging set of propositions is also offered to challenge 'cultural truth norms'
On the Nature of Belief
www.onbelief.org
Scotland, 12th October 2007 and thereafter
Copyright 2007 onwards
