The persistence of belief

Belief is as per the dictionary an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. For a short while let’s disregard the proof. Belief then is an acceptance of something that may be true and from a point of view; it as such an extremely powerful idea/mental state that it allows us to derive purpose and meaning. Now let’s add the component of proof into the mix. The equation all of a sudden gets garbled and nagging questions arise which tend to question the very belief. Kind of an argument against the belief because there is no proof; however a belief doesn’t need proof as per the definition. 

We need to have a reasonable accurate view of the world in order to function and exist within it. However, truth and accuracy are not the only things that matter to us. We also seem to have a deep desire to belong.  When we evolved from apes (if you agree with Darwin) our survival was based on a collective. Being part of tribe gave us a sense of security. Being cast out was an immediate death sentence. One could not survive outside the tribe during those early human experiences. We have evolved to keep that basic idea alive in our subconscious and everyone wants to belong to some group or the other. It the reason why there are secret societies, professional groups,like minded groups etc.. it is that heard mentality that kept our ancestors alive that is in play. 

Let’s go back to the proof. Let’s imagine for a short while that you know something to be true and are trying your best to explain it to someone who has a belief that is quite contrary. It will be impossible. Convincing someone to change their mind is really the process of convincing them to change their tribe. If they abandon their beliefs, they run the risk of losing social ties that subconsciously help them feel safe. No one will change their mind if the sense of the tribe is taken away. Being alone is a death sentence. 

How do we get rid of beliefs that hold back a people ? No amount of proof will cause a person or a group of persons to abandon the idea behind the beliefs. I can put forth an hypothesis - Ideas live because people are willing to discuss them. Any idea that is not discussed will die. Ideas are remembered when there is a continuous repetition. Take for example the continuous discussion in the US about the stolen election or in India about the lack of progress in the last 70+ years. As long as the discussion happens the Idea will stay alive and germinate to the point where it becomes a tree.  How then do you get rid of a bad belief ? Keeping quiet is a possibility but is impossible to do. Someone will discuss the idea at some point of time. Can the idea be countered with facts ? No - Remember beliefs are not about facts.  Then do you have a frank discussion and critique the bad idea ? No that too wont work; because most folks will approach this method with an attitude to win. One of the ways that can be used to counter a bad idea is to explore the intellectual depth of the idea with the person who you are trying to convince. The approach is one of being interested in learning more about the belief. It’s during the process of exploring the intellectual depth that the dead ends have to be shown to the other person. It’s not an hard sell. The person has to realise the fallacy of the dead end themselves. There is no further exploration to do unless the first dead end is completely explored. Political parties tend to believe that showcasing the dead end is enough and the herd will change its tribe; nothing could be more delusional. Change of belief starts at an individual level and then when the mass is critical enough it can become a tsunami.  It needs an agreement between you and the the other person that the dead end is fallacy and that is when you move to another part of the belief. 

At a philosophical level, from the shore I stand on today. It doesn’t matter, because one of the core beliefs I have is in that of change. When you get to the crux of that argument you would realise that change may or may not be constant. It is what it is. 

C