It's Good To Be Wrong

It's Good To Be Wrong
Current mood: pensive

I often like to ponder how our culture values certain traits over others. Lately I've been thinking about how we so greatly value "conviction" and, consequently, "faith." These values are highly prevalent in our society, and we often talk about others' conviction and faith with glowing superlatives.

"Well, I may not agree with him, but I sure do admire his strength of conviction."

"You know, I've never known anyone with such strong faith as she has. It's inspirational."

Let me preface my discussion by saying that all individuals are different. And, since everyone believes and thinks differently, and has their own background from which to draw, I'd like to stress that the following is strictly my own opinion and is based solely on my own experience.

Now, with that disclaimer clearly out there, I believe that strength of conviction and faith are highly overrated by our society. While strength of conviction is admirable and noble indeed, at what point does it become stubbornness and ignorance? If you have a strong position on something, but are presented with evidence to the contrary, is it noble to hold on to your beliefs, even in the face of distinctly contradictory proof?

Or faith. Why do we find it so noble to believe in things that can't be proven? I think this goes to a deeper human need to be part of something bigger than ourselves. The whole philosophy on faith is extremely confusing to me. Why, if we are logical, methodical creatures, who have culturally evolved over time through much trial and error, do we make these huge leaps into areas in which there is absolutely no evidence?

I absolutely love being wrong. For example, I made a comment in my anthropology class last night that was immediately, fully, and justifiably shot down by the instructor and backed up by the rest of the class. I love this!! This is how I learn!! In fact, for me, it builds my confidence. I can make strong, clear, argumentative claims about anything, because I know that it won't hurt my self-esteem when I'm wrong. I sure as hell don't know everything, and I think it's only through a willingness to admit this infallibility that I can progress through life. Strength of conviction? Not for me, thanks. I prefer to admit that, while I do have beliefs and ideas, in reality I know nothing. I'm just a guy on a journey through life. I am not the same person I was a year ago. And I will not be the same person a year from now. I am in a constant state of progression---gaining new information and discarding the bad.

And as far as faith---for me, no thanks. I don't find any value whatsoever in taking that leap. Give me the scientific method any day, where you state up front that you might be wrong and challenge others to prove it. The thing that scares me about faith is that it can't be argued. When someone like me confronts someone of faith, it's so easy for them to get out of the argument by just saying "Well, you just can't understand what I feel." You can't back up faith with any evidence, and there is no way I can know what another person is really feeling. Therefore faith presents a permanent social impasse, and this is a huge problem. Take a look at the history of war for proof of this.

Now, understand, I don't have a problem with faith, itself---I mean, I have faith that the Mariners will do well this year. I just don't see why we as a society place such a high premium on it. For example, someone with faith in Jesus is wholly in the mainstream, respected, and accepted by most. But someone with faith in, oh, I dunno, David Koresh, is not. But neither can be proven, and both are passionate about it! So who's right? Religious faith would be OK with me if people labeled it what it is - mythology - and admitted they might be wrong. But we all know that is not the way most religious people present their faith. It is generally presented as social policy, and debate is not an option. In most religious discussions that I observe, people like me, who demand evidence, are patronized and talked down to, as if it's somehow a weakness on our part that we are not willing to take that leap. I wholly reject this.

Anyway, that's just what's been on my mind lately. If you look around, this issue is constantly in the forefront of our human experience and our daily lives. For example, look at the prez. There are millions of examples, but he is the obvious one---plenty of strength of conviction, and a whole hell of a lotta faith. Does he fall into the traps I've described above? Is his conviction a strength----or could it possibly be a weakness? Does he present his faith as belief---or policy? I'll leave that for you to decide.



(p.s. Check out the new Air album. Freakin brilliant.)

Currently listening :
Pocket Symphony
By Air
Release date: 06 March, 2007