What is the one Truth or Method of finding the truth that you hold sacred above all others? How do you intend to maintain it? It does not need to cover everything in life . It could be restricted to say ' family ' or ' business ' .
Two Reminders both “ In My Opinion ”
1 Atheism is a simple statement of fact or state of mind and does not involve a methodology
2 The word “ Sacred ” is not bound to be religious. It effectively means
“ Keep away,do not try to change this ”
5
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47 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I really wish I knew the answer to the question. THE final answer.
Flowerwall
Level 7
Jan 8, 2020
1
According to Douglas Adams it is 42. I like this answer even knowing it is probably wrong.
@Mcflewster I had to look this up. But yes 99.9% sure it is not the answer. And when I read he, the author, was a self-proclaimed radical atheist I think 100% is a more accurate number.
@Mcflewster What is it about that answer that you like? Is it the fact that it all comes down to two numerical digits? That is quite a simple and peaceful solution to all of this. I think I read yesterday there was a whole book written on the topic and various ideas about it being put forth. Someone famous who said he knew the answer, or the meaning, but would take it to the grave. How do you see it?
@Flowerwall It is sarcasm or a joke really but it is a fact that people are looking for a simple answer and as everything reduces to mathematics, even science I suppose that it might as well be two numbers. Not one, notice, because if people are asked to give a number between 0 and 9 a grater number give 7 than any other.Why? Everything should be as simple as possible BUT no simpler.
My answer to simplicity is science itself because it is a simple set of processes which most people use everyday but don't realise they are doing science. I am doing my utmost to make science simpler to understand and use. In fact you cannot understand it without doing it.
@Mcflewster I deleted my other comment because I was probably saying it wrong, not expressing the idea correctly. Sorry. I think of seven as a life force number, that is kind of what I was trying to say in the other post. It doesn't sound very clear or well thought out but I do consider it a "one truth".
@Flowerwall You are obviously entitled to think of any fact or process as your guiding light - whatever "floats your boat". Please however explain what is meant by 'life force' and how any one number could be an example of it. I think that people choose 7 because it is 'not too big, not too small, and not in the exact middle (as in 'never sitting at the front of a lecture or classroom' thinking).
@Mcflewster I don't think of seven being a life force number as a "one truth" rather the original idea that human beings are to promote life in all of its various forms. Like in business it would mean sustainability, things that are to the betterment of the world as a whole and individually, in whatever form it may take. The polar opposite of an omnishamble, well atleast as I have read the word described "a situation that can have no good outcome". This is a very new word to me so I believe I am thinking of correctly in this way, but could be wrong as I think it's used more for politics. In family it means promoting life as well. Family members not behaving in ways that are harmful to one another to the best of their own personal ability.
As far as seven goes, I just think there are many representations of the number in religious texts, it is also a well- liked number, popular, associated with luck in many people's mind. I view it as a life force number, and that gives a special significance to it, in my mind.
@Mcflewster Do you have an aversion to the number seven? You said 42 is good, two digits, because if people are asked to choose one digit people will usually choose seven. So that makes it sound like you are not liking that number, seven. Or is that where you meant about simplicity? Two digits less simple? I thought the simplicity idea was referring to why people like the number seven. I don't study numbers or anything or ascribe particular meaning to them, but it is something to think or wonder about. I am probably just splitting hairs with my question anyway.
@Flowerwall I am trying not to draw conclusions about your posts. 42 from Douglas Adams in his "Hitchikers Guide to the Universe" I am pretty sure was intend as a joke and the fact that it was simple was part of that joke. It worked on me and I have always liked "Hitchhicker's" books.
What I do know is that you are very good about looking into data - preferably facts and trying to draw conclusions. I am sure that by doing that, one day you will discover something great and that should not go unnoticed.
@Mcflewster Wow, what does that mean? It's a compliment? But what makes you say that? Huh? I am CONFUSED. But thank you. Being told I will discover something great is like hearing a wonderful fortune by a fortune teller, it's a nice idea, feels great.
I do understand 42 was a joke. I bet with all my questions, I have made it feel less funny. Well, yeah, I guess it happens sometimes.
@Mcflewster Also I really think this was a great question to ask, the original thread idea. The "how do you intend to maintain it" part had me wondering to. I should read this over again. I think a lot of people said scientific method. Thank you for posting this!
@Flowerwall I mean that you have the best attitude to freethinking exploring and investigation of meaning by delving into words. That surely will eventually pay dividends and I just wish more people were like you. Best of luck in your journey.
@Mcflewster Thank you very much and same to you, best of luck.
I hold nothing sacred. Truth is always subjective and provisional. There are no absolutes.
Mitch07102
Level 8
Jan 7, 2020
4
Be true to yourself.
Happiness comes from within.
Never stop questioning.
Life is like riding a bike, if you stop peddling, you will fall off. (Albert Einstein)
How you say something is often more important than the words.
Time heals all wounds.
Consciousness is an illusion. (Sam Harris, Dan Dennett)
Don't spend your life looking for meaning in life, you won't find it.
We don't need religion to decide morality, Science if the best tool do that.
Grecio
Level 7
Jan 7, 2020
4
Well . 22 years at ER I have learned that truth is hard to obtain , and , some humans live their lies as their reality .
I have learned to ask a lot of questions . I mean , really a lot .
And to look around for evidence . Physically and verbally .
I ask questions even about things that have 0 to do w the reasons of coming to ER .
I have learned that things are certainly not how it looks to be always , if ever ! I have learned that clothing , attitudes , julery , words are misleading . And I ask more questions .
Some times humans give in and share the real tragedy of their visit , their demons at home , their stress and their fears . Some times they rather hide as much as possible , but at least alarms are up and referrals can be given to take care minors or abusing situations .
Questions . That’s all I got . In my non working life , ( honestly , I don’t think I have one !), I question / read .
Pralina1
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
4
The Earth is sacred! People are sacred! Animals and Plants are sacred!! Everything is sacred and should be respected..
dalefvictor
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
2
Research, study, reading, experience and education work for me. Learning from others. Counseling and self-reflection. Taking classes and workshops. Listening to people to increase my understanding, compassion and empathy.
LiterateHiker
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
4
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Agreed -- Atheism is a statement of fact -- I see no evidence for gods so I don't believe gods exist..
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Disagreed -- The etymology of the word, Sacred, is firmly mired in religion. Its synonyms are all words with religious overtones, its antonyms are all words with religious, overtones. A secular word to suggest a similar meaning might be something like "firm" or "resolute."
Sgt_Spanky
Level 8
Jan 7, 2020
2
I do not study words (obviously) but I look behind them to discover my own or more useful meanings in their purpose and effect. I admit that sacred is more usually connected to religion but so are resolute and firm.
@Mcflewster You're free to make up your own rules if you like.
@Sgt_Spanky Until something more useful , perhaps put forward by someone else comes along.
Math - the best place to find truth. and Logic - essentially verbal math.
gater
Level 7
Jan 6, 2020
3
Many scientists and philosophers believe that math is the language of God. Equations explain the laws of physics and also many laws of biology and chemistry. math is beautiful in itself for those that understand much of it.
The scientific method is my method of finding the truth. I spent years studying both religion and atheism. I found no solid evidence supporting religion, and lots of evidence for atheism. Therefore, I am an atheist because I used the scientific method as my "methodology."
BestWithoutGods
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
3
Well, when I was a manager faced with a complaint of some kind, the thing I always made sure that I did was talk with all parties involved to get their respective sides before taking any action. Not sure if this counts. It worked, for me at least, 9 times out of 10.
zeuser
Level 9
Jan 6, 2020
3
This is what we ALL have to do now in every aspect of our lives
To be honest, I don't hold any Truths 'Sacred'.
However. The act of critical thinking, Questioning everything, and well, the Scientific Method. I hold above just about everything.
I'm not sure if I would Call any of them so called 'sacred", But they are important to me.
It may be That I just don't like the word.
TristanNuvo
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
3
Critical thinking is a good choice.
My answer
Methodology of finding the truth - The collective of cyclical processes known as science.
Maintained by : trying it out for improvements on every possible occasion where knowledge is required. It does not have to be in a laboratory. It can be with thought experiments in the mind.This makes it easier to alter conclusions.
Mcflewster
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
3
The scientific method is our best way to try to discover the "truth." And, I suppose I think that this method should not be changed. Therefore, I guess you would say it is "sacred" to me--although I myself never use that word. This does not mean that errors cannot be made or that proposed hypotheses cannot be wrong (we are human after all); but, by holding true to the method the errors will be revealed.
Joanne
Level 7
Jan 8, 2020
2
"Seek Consonance" is both my highest truth, and my best method of finding truth. I don't expect it to be fulfilled to perfection, but the longer I follow it, the better my experience of life becomes. So the motivation to continue on that path is self-sustaining.
skado
Level 9
Jan 7, 2020
2
I like this and wanted to say so as well as just clicking a button.
@Mcflewster
Thanks for both.
What kind of truth are you talking about?
Hard empirical truth does not give a shit what anyone thinks about it, it just is. Like a cancer growing in you does not care if you believe in Cancer or not, it just is.
Other uses of the term truth can be much more nuanced, and often are conflated with the above use of the term.
For instance it is true I like pizza, but if I develop lactose intolerance that might change. Nor is it true for all people.
and I agree with Mitch below.
sa·cred
/ˈsākrəd/
adjective
- connected with God (or the gods) or dedicated to a religious purpose and so deserving veneration:
You are redefining the term to suit your op
"The word “ Sacred ” is not bound to be religious. It effectively means
“ Keep away,do not try to change this"
try
sac·ro·sanct
/ˈsakrōˌsaNG
t/
adjective
- (especially of a principle, place, or routine) regarded as too important or valuable to be interfered with:
Davesnothere
Level 7
Jan 7, 2020
2
That is a nice way of putting it . Has it the same concept as resilience?
the scientific method is the best way to get as close to the truth as our capacity can, but it is not sacred, actually what makes it effective is that it is not sacred, it can be attacked, patched, corrected and changed if you show that your change generates better results.
The power of statistics and reproducibility makes it auto-cleaning. Of course people are not perfect and there are abuses and people making (honest or not) mistakes. But once we see that there is a mistake, the method don't protect the "false knowledge" on the contrary, the method tells you to show the mistakes.
Pedrohbds
Level 7
Jan 7, 2020
2
The only way to correct science is with demonstrably better science as agreed by a science community. So in a way it has a self correcting mechanism when taken as a whole. Perhaps this could be better described as resilience rather than being sacred, but both tend to keep things as they are.
and 3...You can't throw a potato chip far!
Sticks48
Level 9
Jan 7, 2020
2
So get a sling shot??
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I agree with you. Atheism is non-belief in a deity. Nothing more.
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I agree with you. Sacred means "leave this alone" like when I was raising my children, I tried to hold Sunday Dinner with all of us present, sacred. Emphasis on tried. I got my wish 10% of the time, but it was a goal.
Julie808
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
2
I just have one, "Reality is Absolute" and there are no conflicts in reality.
So, following from this anytime things are in conflict, at least one of them is incorrect. All religious texts fall apart under this scrutiny.
Rugglesby
Level 8
Jan 6, 2020
2
How about novels? Do they fall apart?
Truth of Fact: Verifiable Evidience
Truth of the Heart: Kindness
Normanbites
Level 7
Jan 6, 2020
2
Evidence is everything!
Atheist3
Level 7
Jan 6, 2020
2
This is a good phrase and I would not dream of limiting its spread, but in context it is the one starting point in the cycle of the scientific method processes that has the power to chain on all the rest.
Enjoy being online again!
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