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Is the "unrestricted right" to believe in anything justifiable or dangerous?

Asked by whiteliondreams (1717points) August 13th, 2012

“The ‘belief’ that people are entitled to believe whatever they wish to believe no matter what and no matter where” (Pecorino, 2008). The “cloak of immunity” is the tool used to protect their belief against something challenging or discomforting. The cloak rejects all claims countering their belief under any circumstance. The evidence can be in front of them and in an extremist fashion, will ignore or reject it.

Have you met anyone like this? How safe are these people? Does this not relate to this forum in the sense that respecting or tolerating someone’s irrational or illogical belief can result in ”[undermining] the ability of society to maintain and further social cohesion”?(Pecorino, 2008)

Here are some examples:

I believe that a mind is separate from and can operate without a brain.

I believe that the earth is only 6,000 years old.

I believe that human beings are completely free of the influences of their prior experiences and their environment in their decision making.

I believe that science does not provide knowledge of the physical universe.

I believe that because science does not answer all questions that science can answer no questions.

I believe that because humans do not know everything that humans then know nothing.

I believe that because humans do not have total truth that humans then have no truth.

I believe that because humans do not have objective knowledge of everything that humans then have no objective knowledge.

I believe that because humans make mistakes then humans never get anything correct.

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