The project here is to look at some common beliefs or myths, (remembering that we do not necessarily mean “untrue” when we say “myth”) and try to determine what their connection with reality, if any, might be. Why do this? Because if we believe something is real then we will behave accordingly. If we believe monsters live under the bed we will miss a lot of sleep. If we believe angels are hovering nearby and one has been assigned to look after us, we might be a little more careless. If you believe in ghosts and believe they can do you harm then you will likely avoid cemeteries. More seriously, If I imagine, for instance, that I will live beyond the grave, this belief has consequences, as I will discuss below.
If we have a belief that is false, or at least appears to have no basis, we may act mistakenly as a consequence. The reverse is also true! If we disbelieve a truth we also may act mistakenly.
If a false belief (or disbelief!) is very widely held by humankind, then humankind as a whole may be acting mistakenly. Are we, child-like, clinging to fantasies that, Iike Santa Claus, are beloved but unreal? Are we doing ourselves harm by doing so? Adult fantasies can go much deeper than Santa, to the very core of our fears and hopes. To abandon them would be infinitely more painful and grievous then learning there is no Santa. But is that what it will take for us to be adults?
So let's look at some widely held beliefs and disbeliefs. We will try to understand their origins. We will ask ourselves if they are true or false--or something in between, or maybe we simply can’t know. If we conclude that a belief or disbelief is false, or at least unproven we will ask ourselves: is this belief harmful? In particular, if widely held, does this belief get in the way of mankind taking responsibility for our future?
If we have a belief that is false, or at least appears to have no basis, we may act mistakenly as a consequence. The reverse is also true! If we disbelieve a truth we also may act mistakenly.
If a false belief (or disbelief!) is very widely held by humankind, then humankind as a whole may be acting mistakenly. Are we, child-like, clinging to fantasies that, Iike Santa Claus, are beloved but unreal? Are we doing ourselves harm by doing so? Adult fantasies can go much deeper than Santa, to the very core of our fears and hopes. To abandon them would be infinitely more painful and grievous then learning there is no Santa. But is that what it will take for us to be adults?
