@powder That is true. But those are beliefs themselves, and when you start analyzing down, you always reach the point where you arrive at beliefs which cannot be proven or disproven, but must simply either by accepted or not accepted. It's an unconscious process -- we simply know, or feel, that certain things are real, that these things exist. Our sense of what things are real are, in my view, more fundamental that reasoning that we apply to these things. Reason is vital, essential, but not sufficient in and of itself, to gain knowledge.

@desertastronomer No they aren't. Even the most rigorous truths are not fully conclusive, but even if they were, they start out as beliefs. Philosophy blends into science. The more we find out about science in terms of quantum mechanics proves more and more that perception plays a huge part in our "reality".

@desertastronomer That's fine and all, but I was replying within the context of the quote that the OP quoted. Science, art, etc. Of course if you assert something as fact then you should have more than enough evidence to present to back it up. Have you ever allowed yourself to talk about stuff like philosophy? You've never unwound and had a friendly conversation that didn't involve nothing but facts or saving the world? Not even one conversation? Is there no wonderment in your world? Everything doesn't have to be a math equation or computer code. To each their own though.

@desertastronomer I assumed nothing. I asked you questions.

@desertastronomer What do they say about opinions? And who are ‘they’?

@desertastronomer I am just ahead at the moment. You may need to jog a bit. I don’t know any of ‘those’. Sounds like a broad brushstroke!

@desertastronomer There is alway evidence but what is convincing evidence for some is not for others. Evidence or not, there’s no such thing as absolute truth. And whatever beliefs or opinions we humans profess with our pea brains are generally meaningless.

@desertastronomer “You woke up this morning. Wouldn't you call that an absolute truth?”

There’s nothing absolute about it. A body with which I am associated woke up if I remember correctly. My true and higher nature is an unknown mystery. Besides that, according to quantum gravity theory there’s no such thing as time. If you think you have possession of absolute truth you are sadly deluded.

Reality is not about belief. From a cosmic perspective human beliefs are insignificant and meaningless emotions. Emotions, that’s what beliefs are.

The nature of reality is a profound mystery. The appropriate response is not belief but a sense of utter bewilderment.

@desertastronomer The planetary model works well for some purposes but we should never forget that, after all, it is just a model—a thought tool.

@desertastronomer You are supposedly a scientist. I would expect that a scientist would be very familiar with mathematical models.

Do you read physics books? I recommend “Reality is not What it Seems” by Carlo Rovelli.

True, but scientists are human and humans seem to need beliefs to function.

@desertastronomer Have to disagree there. Humans will always have bias which is why peer review and critical analysis are necessary in any scientific exposition.

@Geoffrey51 Peer review is based on observation, facts and evidence.

Of course there is fact based belief and religious belief. But facts, experiments and observations do not require belief.

@BryanLV That would be so and why the same evidence can be interpreted different ways.

Are we saying there is no evidence of bias in reporting albeit unintentional?

@Matias Science based belief. Not impossible.

I believe the floor will be there when I get out of bed. But even if I didn't, it would still be there.

Science does not require belief.

@Geoffrey51 You're keying on the word evidence trying to win an argument.

It's my understanding that interpretations should be testable and measurable, thus bringing an eventual conclusion. I fail to see how absent the belief component, science is rendered untenable.

@desertastronomer Then I apologise for my misunderstanding.

@desertastronomer We all need beliefs to function. Beliefs are value judgments or emotions. You must have believed that your message would be seen and read, otherwise why did you respond?