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What are the consequences of believing in our opinions as if they were facts?

When we say “I believe” we do not assert a fact. We always assert an opinion. It is important to be always conscious of the difference between a belief and a fact, because to confuse one for the other has damaging consequences for our life decisions. Do you agree? What type of consequences can we expect when there is this mental confusion within us without being conscious of it?

Update:

<<<<Dave D -- Your answer implies that in matters of abstract thinking humans should do away with ever saying "I know" and adopt permanently the "I believe" statement, as if the former reflects impertinence and the latter some kind of a virtue.

Update 2:

<<<<<planner -- So, in brief, is the existence of God a human opinion (a belief) or is it a fact?

Update 3:

<<<<<<4HIM- Christians love -- I am not sure how your words answer my question.

Update 4:

<<<<tagboy -- It's true. There is mental confusion of which we are not conscious. Although we CAN be counscious of it, of course. We have to make a mental effort. What happens when we are conscious that we treat opinions as if they were facts? Why do we not correct ourselves? Why do we persist in the error? What do we have to gain from intellectual dishonesty? Do we realize that we are being dishonest with ourselves? Can dishonesty have good consequences, not only with respect to others and society at large, but especially for ourselves? Examples?

12 Answers

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  • 8 years ago
    Favorite Answer

    Bad if not catastrophic judgments. In order to make good judgments you have to have an accurate picture of the situation.

    If for example someone thinks babies automatically go to heaven when they die then a rational believer would take that into account when making decisions that involve evaluating their worth. For example the genocide of the Amalekites in the Bible might not seem so bad after all if you think all the dead babies went to happy-clappy land to have fun forever.

  • jarvie
    Lv 4
    4 years ago

    the pinnacle of the IPCC is an engineer who designs rail systems, particularly than somebody who drives trains. If he majored in a mechanical engineering in the previous specializing interior the layout of rail systems, then he might have an extremely solid expertise of thermodynamics. And he could be in a distinctive place to be conscious of the way the granddaddy of all warmth engines, Earth's environment, works.

  • Dave D
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    I agree with you 100%. But realize that a belief is a heart-felt opinion.... one that people assume IS correct. I would also point out that it is the theists who are the ones who say "I believe". It is the atheists who are the ones who say "I know" or "I lack belief". Which of the two is being more honest?

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    Religion

    Source(s): Religion = Ignorance + Fear
  • 8 years ago

    The creed is more of a mission statement rather than an opinion.

    ...just sayin.

    The consequences of believing our opinions as if they were facts is a really big argument.

    I'mright.

  • 8 years ago

    all of that depends upon what it is we say we believe in. if we say we believe in God, that simply means that we have found a way to align our beliefs with the facts that God exists and is real. sometimes we believe in facts and that sets on the side of correct belief.

    if we say "i think" then that is strictly a matter of our own opinion. but to say " i believe" can mean that we have chosen to agree with facts.

    some people inter change "i believe" with "i think" and in that case your hypothesis would be true.

  • Anonymous
    8 years ago

    Intellectual dishonesty

  • 8 years ago

    Many people know about the Bible but, they do not know the author. Because of that, they make up things that will cause them confusion and to be lost.

  • .
    Lv 6
    8 years ago

    Bigotry and a superiority complex seem the most obvious consequences!

  • tagboy
    Lv 7
    8 years ago

    there is this mental confusion within us without being conscious of it? Your aware of it you just can't handle it. This world is full of right fighters even if their wrong.

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