Freethought & Rationalism Archive

seebs · 01-11-2003, 12:49 PM

Which is more important to you in a belief: The truth of the belief, or the consequences of holding it?

This comes up all the time in various debates, ranging from Pascal's Wager to ideas like "people are basically nice".

So... Would you rather believe a false thing which is beneficial to you to believe, or a true thing which is harmful to you?

Bill Snedden · 01-11-2003, 01:03 PM

"There is no god higher than truth." Mohandas Gandhi

Hugo Holbling · 01-11-2003, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bill Snedden
"There is no god higher than truth." Mohandas Gandhi

You know i hate to say it, Bill, but this quote merely makes the point of the antifoundationalists...

8of9 · 01-11-2003, 03:51 PM

"Would you rather" implies a choice -- if you're choosing not to believe a truth because of the consequences ... is that believing it, or faking it??

crocodile deathroll · 01-11-2003, 05:00 PM

I voted truth always, but our intuition may misguide us at times so I may have to change my mind from time to time in the light of new evidence. The truth is not chiseled onto tablets and handed to us from a mountain top; we have to work hard to find it.

Abacus · 01-11-2003, 05:43 PM

Go truth, whatever you are or wherever you may be!

seebs · 01-11-2003, 05:45 PM

Well, I'm assuming that "consequences" applies more in the case of a belief about which one cannot be sure, but...

I'd be interested in seeing the rationale of the people who voted "consequences always".

Keith Russell · 01-11-2003, 09:12 PM

...truth...

cjack · 01-11-2003, 09:28 PM

Truth or Consequences

Hey, who says you can't have both?

Hugo Holbling · 01-12-2003, 02:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by seebs
I'd be interested in seeing the rationale of the people who voted "consequences always".

In the interests of debate, i'll come out in favour of the underdog and give my rationale as pragmatism. How's that, seebs?

View Poll Results: Truth or consequences
Truth, always	25	56.82%
Consequences, always	4	9.09%
Depends on circumstances	11	25.00%
Don't know	4	9.09%
Voters: 44. You may not vote on this poll

01-11-2003, 12:49 PM	#1
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	Truth or consequences Which is more important to you in a belief: The truth of the belief, or the consequences of holding it? This comes up all the time in various debates, ranging from Pascal's Wager to ideas like "people are basically nice". So... Would you rather believe a false thing which is beneficial to you to believe, or a true thing which is harmful to you?

01-11-2003, 01:03 PM	#2
Bill Snedden Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Greensboro, NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,597	Truth... "There is no god higher than truth." Mohandas Gandhi

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01-11-2003, 03:51 PM	#4
8of9 Regular Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Merryland Posts: 254	"Would you rather" implies a choice -- if you're choosing not to believe a truth because of the consequences ... is that believing it, or faking it??

01-11-2003, 05:00 PM	#5
crocodile deathroll Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Darwin Posts: 1,466	I voted truth always, but our intuition may misguide us at times so I may have to change my mind from time to time in the light of new evidence. The truth is not chiseled onto tablets and handed to us from a mountain top; we have to work hard to find it.

01-11-2003, 05:43 PM	#6
Abacus Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: South Dakota Posts: 2,214	Go truth, whatever you are or wherever you may be!

01-11-2003, 05:45 PM	#7
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	Well, I'm assuming that "consequences" applies more in the case of a belief about which one cannot be sure, but... I'd be interested in seeing the rationale of the people who voted "consequences always".

01-11-2003, 09:12 PM	#8
Keith Russell Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Overland Park, Kansas Posts: 1,336	...truth...

01-11-2003, 09:28 PM	#9
cjack Banned Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Arizona Posts: 4,294	Truth or Consequences Hey, who says you can't have both?

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