November 28, 2006
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How does uncertainty influence your philosophy of life?
This is one of Socrates_Cafe's weekly discussion questions; like most of them it can be answered on many levels.
If your life's philosophic base is fairly existential, than you can say that uncertainty is primal and the only certainty is that which you make for yourself. Certainly
the modern Quantum Mechanic/physicist would agree with you.
If you are more theistically oriented, you may either be certain of your salvation, or along with Calvin, uncertain and concerned about whether you are one of the Elect.
I think age plays a part in your attitude toward life - us older people become more certain of our future and the inevitability of life's end, while youngsters are mostly uncertain about what life holds for them while at the same time considering themselves immortal.
A person who considers himself a Rationalist may find he looses some of the security of his logical mind as he delves into the farther reaches of modern science. Perhaps that is one reason for the rising interest in the security offered by "Intelligent Design" and religious teaching that offers a degree of certainty in a world that seems more uncertain every day in every way.
After all: What certainties remain in our world today?
Comments (15)
"Even though all my actions are indeed ultimately futile because of my eventual death, and existence is in fact absurd, I can still choose my actions and so give my life meaning" Jean Paul Sartre
Isn't existentialism cheerful? That statement reminds me of another, "there are no absolutes". It's self contradictory. If existence (life) is in fact absurd, that pretty much limits it's meaning. "No absolutes" is an absolute. Truth is a sin yet we are all sinners because we need Truth. Existentialism is in denial.
Nowadays sensitivities are worn on peoples sleeve. It is a wonder that so many taut tolerance and understanding then turn on mere misunderstood words, lashing out with such cutting anger then excuse themselves behind good intentions. I wish we lived in a more honest age with thicker skin and more rigorous minds. I've tried to walk softly before but the world is full of people who are as "tough" as egg shells. I don't tiptoe anymore yet I try to be at least graceful. You see, there is much in the market that is thin gruel. I try to be more tasty on the high end. I'm sorry if some of you see this as arrogance. It's easy to go to the gutter. It's easy to conform. It's easy to believe in anything as long as you are sure you are uncertain about everything, for "certainty" is immoral and sinful. Doubt is held in the highest regard. "Answers cannot be found, therefore everyone has always been wrong and everyone will be in the future." That's practically a holy statement. It's just dressed up hopelessness. I, and few others, dare to be certain. I dare to believe in what I believe as the Truth. I realize all to clearly that in today's postmodern world I'm perceived as a fool. The only 'sin' is believing you have the Truth. Postmodernism's Catechisms are to be unquestioned and untouched. However, the whole world can castigate me with immunity - slicing me up and pasting me together into a caricature, a Picasso. They're thought to be champions of openness, understanding and tolerance. I can be mocked by all and it's consider my due justice. However, one word of criticism from me and I'm the narrowminded conformist arrogant and self righteous because of my one 'sin'.
hahahahhaa. that's awesome. i really enjoyed reading htis post.
"What certainties remain in our world today?"
Death is certain. It is certain that the IRS won't like it if you cheat on your taxes. And if the evidence of the eons is valid, it is certain that the sun will appear above the horizon in the eastern sky in the morning.
Death, taxes, and sunrise. And Creed implies Existentialism is depressing
Is this really the "Age of Uncertainty"? Why (or why not)?
The only thing certain in this world is death and taxes. And with modern medicine perhaps someday it will just be taxes.
The fascinating thing about perceived Truth is how it has changed through the ages.
Other than Death, Taxes, and the next sunrise, is there any absolute certainty?
No fair using "uncertainty" in your answers
You know, the uncertain folks among us actually should have no problem with someone like creed . . . if you take the idea as far as it goes, you can't be certain that there is no certainty. Not at all. It's quite a braintwister.
Hm, I'm not sure about absolute certainty, but there are lots of non-absolute (for lack of a better word) certainties out there . . .I can be pretty certain that water will continue to make me wet and that gravity won't stop working any time soon.
What about change? Can we be certain that change will always be there?
Cosmologists even argue about this - whether or not entropy will result in an unchanging "solid-state" universe.
I think one certainty is that curiosity will always be a part of the human condition.
I think also it will always be a part of human nature to question things, however, is it necessarily a good thing, if it does not change things for the better? Then you may be faced with knowledge and have no outlet for your newly found certainties. Does curiousity differ among different cultures? If we are taught ot think critically, allowed to question, then are we more any more or less certain about the issues of our country or planet?
On the contrary, I think critical, rational thinking would lead to less certainty that your position is always right.
Is change either "good" or "Bad"? I think change is change and any value we put on it is OUR value. When you boil it down, who really defines and labels the world and its contents - the whole universe,for that matter?
One certainty is that we have the power to choose what we think. We may have to seem to conform, but in our heads we are still in charge. The above comments have listed a number of things that are fairly certain, so I won't list any more. These are good and thoughtful comments and a good post.
Peace.
One thing that contributes to seeking of knowledge may be uncertainty. Not knowing for sure why something is, or how something works, does seem to stimulate our curiousity.
Why do you say "Intelligent design" offers more certainty?
Intelligent Design seems to state that the physical/biological world is the result of some kind of God-given cosmic plan rather than the result of random selection. It is, of course, the modern equivalent of the Genesis story and thus suggests that there is meaning and direction or perhaps a fixed pattern to the direction the World is going. It increases the certainty of Religious security as opposed to the ultimate insecurity of random chance.
While you may not believe that you understand God's will, nevertheless, you do have the security of knowing that you have very little responsibility compared to that of an all-powerful deity.
Even if you believe that God built uncertainty into the cosmos, you still have the certainty of God's presence.
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