Elie Weisel and Doubt

#1
T

therealUT

Rational Thought Allowed?
Joined
Mar 9, 2006
Messages
30,347
Likes
4,191
#1
Sat through a fantastic lecture on good and evil by Elie Weisel last night and about halfway through he began speaking of certainty and fanaticism. He then made the following statement: only Satan does not doubt.

I had never heard that phrase before; however, it is quite profound upon reflection.
 
#2
#2
therealUT said:
Sat through a fantastic lecture on good and evil by Elie Weisel last night and about halfway through he began speaking of certainty and fanaticism. He then made the following statement: only Satan does not doubt.

I had never heard that phrase before; however, it is quite profound upon reflection.
Click to expand...

Weisal is an incredible person
 
#4
#4
He also stated that one of the crucial questions that constantly faces an individual is, "Should I commit suicide?"
 
#6
#6
Weisel was the speaker at a graduation I went to a few years ago. It's the only chance I've had to hear him speak. Definitely catches your ear and mind...
 
#8
#8
Can't say that his quote was thought provoking or profound for me. Then again, I probably don't agree with his premises.
 
#10
#10
The only way to have no doubt is to be omniscient.

I think we can have certainty about particular ideas, but I think it is impossible to have no doubt about the unprovable and be intellectually honest.

Some things can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but does that still leave unreasonable doubt? Is unreasonable doubt relevant?

Some things can never be proven, and to me, that means they cannot be known. Not to go off on a religious tangent, but I think that is why the bible speaks so prominently of faith. (Incomplete definition warning) Faith is belief without definitive proof. If we know something, then we don't have faith, we have knowledge. (rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?, heb 11: 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.)

I think most fanatics operate on faith, not knowledge. Knowledge needs to be concrete. Faith allows an unstable person to justify irrationality.

Some people may try to argue that all faith is irrational. I disagree. For example, the idea that the world existed before my birth is based purely on anecdotal evidence. I don't know of anyway to conclusively prove that the world and I did not pop into existence at the same instant. I accept it on faith that it did.

It's late and I'm rambling. I think I will just shut up now.
 
#11
#11
RespectTradition said:
The only way to have no doubt is to be omniscient.

I think we can have certainty about particular ideas, but I think it is impossible to have no doubt about the unprovable and be intellectually honest.

Some things can be proven beyond a reasonable doubt, but does that still leave unreasonable doubt? Is unreasonable doubt relevant?

Some things can never be proven, and to me, that means they cannot be known. Not to go off on a religious tangent, but I think that is why the bible speaks so prominently of faith. (Incomplete definition warning) Faith is belief without definitive proof. If we know something, then we don't have faith, we have knowledge. (rom 8:24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees?, heb 11: 1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.)

I think most fanatics operate on faith, not knowledge. Knowledge needs to be concrete. Faith allows an unstable person to justify irrationality.

Some people may try to argue that all faith is irrational. I disagree. For example, the idea that the world existed before my birth is based purely on anecdotal evidence. I don't know of anyway to conclusively prove that the world and I did not pop into existence at the same instant. I accept it on faith that it did.

It's late and I'm rambling. I think I will just shut up now.
Click to expand...

This. Socrates, bro.
 
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.

VN Store



Back
Top