NationStates Jolt Archive

Isn't that part of human nature?

Like knowing that one should love all humanity equally as that's what is most holy, but loving some more than others as that's just the way the vast majority of humans work.

I can understand why holding contradictory beliefs and neither understand why they're contradictory or know that they're contradictory. I'm just curious to know what others think on the whole subject, and, of course, their/you all's views on the question itself.

Isn't that part of human nature?

Like knowing that one should love all humanity equally as that's what is most holy, but loving some more than others as that's just the way the vast majority of humans work.

I can understand why holding contradictory beliefs and neither understand why they're contradictory or know that they're contradictory. I'm just curious to know what others think on the whole subject, and, of course, their/you all's views on the question itself.

If you don't know they are contradictory, or why they are, then they are not contradictory. Only after you know they are contradictory and still believe both do you have a problem....one best delt with though heavy doses of Mellarill!

Acting contrary to one's beliefs is not necessarily "bad"; human beings are hardly rational creatures, and cannot be expected to act in fully rational manners.

Believing contrary to one's beliefs - the violation of internal consistency - is a more complex subject, and an understanding of what you mean by the word "bad" is necessary for me to give a sufficient answer.

If you don't know they are contradictory, or why they are, then they are not contradictory. Only after you know they are contradictory and still believe both do you have a problem....one best delt with though heavy doses of Mellarill!

The great thing is that most already think I'm doped up to my eyeballs as it is. I guess it's just universal to want me on multiple drugs that affect the brain and thusly mind.

Acting contrary to one's beliefs is not necessarily "bad"; human beings are hardly rational creatures, and cannot be expected to act in fully rational manners.

Believing contrary to one's beliefs - the violation of internal consistency - is a more complex subject, and an understanding of what you mean by the word "bad" is necessary for me to give a sufficient answer.

It just seems like whenever people are discussing things, even when there's no cause for ill will, if someone is found to be holding contradictory beliefs and the person knows that the two beliefs/thoughts disagree with eachother, then any other witnesses will try to rip the offender to pieces.

It just seems like it's some sort of taboo online or at least in forums where any discussion takes place.

Isn't that part of human nature?

Like knowing that one should love all humanity equally as that's what is most holy, but loving some more than others as that's just the way the vast majority of humans work.

I can understand why holding contradictory beliefs and neither understand why they're contradictory or know that they're contradictory. I'm just curious to know what others think on the whole subject, and, of course, their/you all's views on the question itself.
"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

It just seems like whenever people are discussing things, even when there's no cause for ill will, if someone is found to be holding contradictory beliefs and the person knows that the two beliefs/thoughts disagree with eachother, then any other witnesses will try to rip the offender to pieces.

It just seems like it's some sort of taboo online or at least in forums where any discussion takes place.

Well, that is because most people believe very strongly in typical modes of logic, rightly or wrongly. I share that view, and thus I hold that contradictory beliefs cannot be simultaneously true, and in that sense see them as "bad."

In the specific case you mention, however, the problem is not simply contradictory beliefs but also inconsistency of application. If you argue one point in one context (say, "speech should never be prohibited" to oppose the protests against the Danish cartoons) and then argue another in another context (say, "seditious speech is a threat to national security" to justify the imprisonment of dissidents somewhere) then it is quite legitimate to question the truth of your first point, if you yourself do not accept it in all cases.

Contradiction is a part of life. Simply have to deal as best as you can. You examine all the contradictions out there you'll never want to get out of bed.

I suppose it depends on how strongly opposed to each other the beliefs are.

Someone could believe in Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, insert any other dieties, (sp?) you like, which I don't see as a problem.

If I believe that all religion is a pack of lies, and I also believe in Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, etc. then I might have a problem.

I think Walt Whitman put it nicely when he said, "Do I contradict myself? Then I contradict myself. I am vast. I encompass multitudes." At least, I think it went like that...

Walt Whitman is good. Poets in general are good for bringing up in discussions like this. Go poets!

I think Walt Whitman put it nicely when he said, "Do I contradict myself? Then I contradict myself. I am vast. I encompass multitudes." At least, I think it went like that...

I think I love Whitman even more than I used to now...

The great thing is that most already think I'm doped up to my eyeballs as it is. I guess it's just universal to want me on multiple drugs that affect the brain and thusly mind.

Ha! Actually it is an interesting delima that I have heard discussed before by criminal nutcrackers. (police physicologists) It is a concept that I can't comprehend as even possible by my own way of thinking, and the mellirill crack was just a joke. Nutcrackers used to love passing that stuff out to everyone they could because it effectively eliminated all possible conflict for at least 12 hours usually 24.

I greatly enjoy talking to people with views that contradict my own. I generally seek out people with unusual beliefs and wrap my mind around them in order to gain a new perspective (thus adding to my collection). Granted that in relation to material reality two contradictory points cannot be true, but it is not best assume that what you hold to be true is true unless you have a substantial amount of evidence or knowledge on the topic. On metaphysical, spiritual, and to a lesser extent religious issues; multiple perspectives can be juggled with amusing ease.

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

I always thought that was HL Mencken. And that the quote was "consistency is the hobgoblin of tiny minds"

"A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
My favorite quote! Yay!

I always thought that was HL Mencken. And that the quote was "consistency is the hobgoblin of tiny minds"
Apparently several people have delt with the topic of consistency, but the specific quote I got for Emerson was at http://www.bartleby.com/59/3/foolishconsi.html