Religion

MineralMan

(148,357 posts) Fri Jan 18, 2019, 11:58 AM Jan 2019

Is Faith a Cognitive Error? [View all]

I maintain that it is. Faith is belief in things that have no evidence of being real. Faith, itself, is a real thing in the brain, but has no factual basis to support it.

We believe things by relying faith, but that does not make them true.

We have faith in things, even when it is demonstrated that those things don't or can't exist.

Faith is a cognitive error. Not a cognitive bias. An actual error in thinking.

Discuss...

87 replies

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Highlight:

Is Faith a Cognitive Error? [View all] MineralMan Jan 2019 OP

too black and white/binary. Different shades of faith... NRaleighLiberal Jan 2019 #1

Well, your examples are for one of the definitions of faith, for sure. MineralMan Jan 2019 #4

understood - just wanted to help clarify. interesting question you posed. NRaleighLiberal Jan 2019 #6

As is the case with many words in the English language, "faith" has more than one meaning Major Nikon Jan 2019 #11

Which of these definitions are you using Mariana Jan 2019 #23

Faith is one of those weasely words... uriel1972 Jan 2019 #2

Well, this discussion is taking place in the Religion Group, MineralMan Jan 2019 #5

Yeah I would hope that would be true... uriel1972 Jan 2019 #7

I think people believe because it feels good, gives comfort and security, . . . mart48 Jan 2019 #3

I think faith is an emotional response, rather than cognitive, really. MineralMan Jan 2019 #10

I think it has to do with our neuropsychology marylandblue Jan 2019 #8

Yes, certainly. MineralMan Jan 2019 #9

It's only a cognitive error if the belief is indeed false Major Nikon Jan 2019 #12

I disagree... uriel1972 Jan 2019 #13

Cognitive error requires an error Major Nikon Jan 2019 #14

The error lies not in the result... uriel1972 Jan 2019 #15

Which isn't an error either in this case Major Nikon Jan 2019 #16

I still don't agree with you... uriel1972 Jan 2019 #17

I'm not saying you are wrong, but I don't agree with you either Major Nikon Jan 2019 #18

Ut-oh. "Error!!1! Error1!11 I'm experiencing cognitive error!11" sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #27

Have you tried pushing the reset button? Major Nikon Jan 2019 #50

My button's busted. 🤕 sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #57

Open up the panel in the back and stick a screwdriver between the jumpers marylandblue Jan 2019 #61

My OS is/has been working mighty fine and not malfunctioning. n/t sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #64

What about the cognitive error 1? It could be serious. marylandblue Jan 2019 #65

I am being mischievously goosed and don't mind atall. sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #66

Do I have a cognitive error? Hmmm. 🤔 sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #84

Then I suggest you try a hard reset Major Nikon Jan 2019 #68

A la Ralph Kramden: "Hardy-har-har." sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #71

Yes. Plus other errors. (nt) NeoGreen Jan 2019 #19

I'd say that faith is a cognitive exception. trotsky Jan 2019 #20

There's something to that classification. Pope George Ringo II Jan 2019 #22

Interesting, isn't that? n/t trotsky Jan 2019 #25

Could be an error, but does necessarily follow that it is a mistake SoFlaDem Jan 2019 #21

Very well said and I could not agree more nightwing1240 Jan 2019 #24

Your 2nd welcome! sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #58

I agree; very well said. The Velveteen Ocelot Jan 2019 #26

... sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #29

Welcome to DU, and thank you for this excellent response. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #32

I consider myself spiritual rather than religious, but also agnostic marylandblue Jan 2019 #43

This is good. Why not. sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #59

I'm only agnostic on Tuesdays SoFlaDem Jan 2019 #69

In all sincerity, sounds like a +plus to me. n/t sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #72

Just a failure of Cognitive Thinking. nt Ferrets are Cool Jan 2019 #28

Believing or not believing isn't an error in thinking, it's a choice nightwing1240 Jan 2019 #30

Well said. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #33

I feel no obligation to respect a belief just because someone believes it Major Nikon Jan 2019 #35

Obviously, you missed where I said I respect those that are atheists nightwing1240 Jan 2019 #36

That's not really what you said Major Nikon Jan 2019 #37

I meant no disrespect, I actually meant the opposite nightwing1240 Jan 2019 #45

I cut and pasted from your post Major Nikon Jan 2019 #46

I don't agree that faith is a choice. Mariana Jan 2019 #48

Don't we choose all of our beliefs? marylandblue Jan 2019 #49

No Major Nikon Jan 2019 #51

This isn't just about religious beliefs, but all types of beliefs marylandblue Jan 2019 #52

This is the religious group Major Nikon Jan 2019 #54

Yes, it's the religion group, but all that means is you never went far down that road. marylandblue Jan 2019 #55

Analogies have their place Major Nikon Jan 2019 #62

I don't think so. Mariana Jan 2019 #56

Well, that's what I am talking about, but you said it better. marylandblue Jan 2019 #60

(I hope I don't have to kick myself.) My experience is that sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #63

I think I understand what you're saying. Mariana Jan 2019 #67

'Cradle' Orthodox are presented the Faith b4 they have ability in 'understanding'. sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #70

I'm having to look up words, Sprinkleeninow. Mariana Jan 2019 #75

I wrote two replies and my screen went to google and I'm having a fit. sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #80

Here goes: sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #82

Thank you. Mariana Jan 2019 #85

Yes, Orthodox services for the reposed, those entering into matrimony, sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #86

If you have further interest: sprinkleeninow Jan 2019 #83

I think it is self-delusion. A belief you are superior to all others demigoddess Jan 2019 #31

And some deny that their conclusions are only conclusions. guillaumeb Jan 2019 #34

Who is denying that? Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #39

... Major Nikon Jan 2019 #42

Sounds like apologetics Major Nikon Jan 2019 #40

There was a study published recently that Voltaire2 Jan 2019 #38

Full study... Major Nikon Jan 2019 #41

Cognitive error is a broad term Lordquinton Jan 2019 #44

I don't think many religionists suffer from cognitive dissonance Major Nikon Jan 2019 #47

Maybe that's where the guilt and doubt come in Lordquinton Jan 2019 #73

Some have also adopted gaslighting as a best practice Major Nikon Jan 2019 #74

Honestly that's where most of religion stems from Lordquinton Jan 2019 #76

At least they are no longer using wood as fuel Major Nikon Jan 2019 #77

Daym Lordquinton Jan 2019 #78

Fnord. nt OhZone Jan 2019 #53

neuroplasty and classical conditioning StTimofEdenRoc Jan 2019 #79

I think it's just a survival trait, but one that comes with some unfortunate side-effects. Iggo Jan 2019 #81

If faith rejects rational proof, it's irrational Bretton Garcia Jan 2019 #87