Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Bill Thompson
You seem to think I believe what I do because I want to or because I choose to. Nothing is further from the truth. The fact is I want to believe there is ETI and for the longest time, I did believe that there must be ETI.
|
And you seem to think I
CARE what you believe. The real question is; why do you care what
I believe? You made a good case for yourself, supported by good arguments. I, however, choose to keep more of an open mind. That does NOT mean I "believe" in ETI. It only means I am unwilling to rule out the possibility.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Bill Thompson
It is a common misconception since at least 99.999% of the people on this planet cannot divide fact from suposition.
|
You have been demonstrating this for some time now. Yes, we know.
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Lance
The problem Bill, is your "belief" that SETI supporters and those not so closed minded to the possible existince of ETI "believe" in ET.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Bill Thompson
Belief ought not be a choice.
This is a common expression that makes no sense to me: "well, you can believe what you want to."
.....
(by the way, what is a wo wo?)
|
Could one of the regulars here please explain to my Cousin Bill what a woo woo is? I am new here, and am only vaguely familiar with the term.
BELIEF: 1 : a state or habit of mind in which trust or confidence is placed in some person or thing (synonym: see in addition OPINION)
Trust? Confidence? Opinion? Bill, belief is
BY DEFINITION a choice. When you become "obliged to believe" then you have crossed over into "knowing". There is a difference. Let me give you an example:
Right now, I "believe" that you are what they refer to here as a "woo woo". However, I do not "know" that you are due to my unfamiliarity with the term. When someone answers this one way or the other, I will then "know" that you either are, or are not a "woo woo". And once I "know", belief no longer plays a role. Follow?