First Blog

  Uncertainty is Certain G. Donald Allen 12/12/2024 1.       Introduction . This short essay is about uncertainty in people from both secular and nonsecular viewpoints. One point that will emerge is that randomly based uncertainty can be a driver for religious structure. Many groups facing uncertainty about their future are deeply religious or rely on faith as a source of comfort, resilience, and guidance. The intersection of uncertainty and religiosity often stems from the human need to find meaning, hope, and stability in the face of unpredictable or challenging circumstances. We first take up the connections of uncertainty to religion for the first real profession, farming, noting that hunting has many similar uncertainties. Below are groups that commonly lean on religious beliefs amidst uncertainty.   This short essay is a follow-up to a previous piece on certainty (https://used-ideas.blogspot.com/2024/12/certainty-is-also-emotion.html). U...

  Certainty is also a Feeling Certainty is often viewed as a mental state tied to knowledge and confidence, but it also functions as a feeling with distinct emotional and physiological components. While it arises from cognitive processes, certainty also has a subjective and emotional quality that makes it more than just a rational judgment. It provides a sense of assurance and security that shapes human experience in profound ways. Emotional Dimension . At its core, certainty evokes emotions that influence how we perceive and interact with the world. When someone feels certain, they often experience relief, comfort, or empowerment. These emotions are particularly strong when uncertainty or doubt is resolved, offering a sense of closure. For example, solving a complex problem or having a belief validated by evidence brings not just intellectual satisfaction but also emotional reassurance. Subjectivity. Certainty is inherently personal and subjective. It depends on individual...

  What is "Argumentum ad Ignorantiam"? Argument from ignorance known as appeal to ignorance (in which ignorance represents "a lack of contrary  evidence"),   is   a fallacy in informal logic.   Here is a particularly blatant, simple, example, “ Although we have proven that the moon is not made of spare ribs, we have not proven that its core cannot be filled with them; therefore, the moon's core is filled with spare ribs [1] . ” The famous aphorism, “No news is good news,” used all the time, is a classic. In fact, it’s used so often that many of us believe it’s true! Arguments from ignorance are relatively easy to spot, though they’re used all the time.   However, it’s more dangerous use is personal. Some people may say that I have tried to prove “A” but could not, so now I am convinced “A” must be false. The "argumentum ad ignorantiam" is also a form of self-deception, and the logical fallacy based on authority or absence thereof. A weaker form wou...

 Personal growth has ups, downs, moves sideways, and everything else but straight up. Expect nonlinearity.

  Albert Einstein (1879-1955) slept nearly 10 hours a day. He was known to be a firm believer in the importance of a good night’s sleep, often aiming for around 10 hours of rest. However, his approach to sleep was somewhat unconventional. He frequently took short naps during the day, sometimes even multiple times a day. These power naps were brief, lasting only a few minutes, and he believed they helped him recharge his mind and creativity. He claimed that these naps allowed him to tackle complex scientific problems with a fresh perspective.