WAYS OF KNOWING

THINKING INFLUENCED & EVEN CONTROLED BY EMOTION

More than once I’ve addressed this basic issue of how do we think, how do we know, but thus far I have failed to discuss a fundamental component of our ways of thinking and concluding.

We generally are not as rational and logical as we like to believe.

Our belief systems, especially as seen in religion and politics, but also in science and all other human intellectual endeavors, are powerful in shaping the way we think and the opinions we develop.

We routinely see scientists and other “experts” fight to maintain a belief with which they have identified. They often find it next to impossible to admit they were wrong. Their previous conclusions have become belief systems with which they have identified, and ego will not allow them to face the fact they were wrong.

A refreshing exception to this dilemma was demonstrated by Stephen Hawkins in his recognition that his prior conclusion that no information or energy can escape a black hole was in error. This is especially meaningful because he maintained that opinion for years, and its error was finally pointed out by another physicist. Hawkins manfully said, after due consideration, “Your are right. Thank you for calling my error to my attention.”

This is a brave and noble mind. He did not allow his belief in his former conclusions stand between him and the truth. In this instance he showed the world what true science is. It is not an ego trip. It is a relentless…