Science Over Faith: Understanding Our Control and Solutions
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Chapter 1: The Search for Solutions
Are we losing control of our world? Is your trust in humanity diminishing? There is a different approach, but it will require effort.
I often feel uneasy. I find myself pondering ways to address the world's challenges, prompting me to seek answers. It doesn't take long to discover that many individuals have already identified solutions, even authoring entire volumes on what can be done. If there’s an issue that concerns you, chances are someone has already resolved it.
So why are we not living in an improved world, where all our significant problems are addressed?
Every proposed solution must pass two evaluations before it can be put into action, and nearly all fail. Here's why.
Section 1.1: The Stop Sign Analogy
Consider this: you’re driving a vehicle. As you near a stop sign, you press the brake pedal, but the car continues past where you anticipated stopping. This occurrence is common and seems to be worsening. Seeking a rational explanation, you might entertain one of the following prevailing theories:
- Divine Control: Your life is governed by a higher power. The vehicle stops where it is meant to, according to divine will.
- Personal Responsibility: You are in control of your life. The car halts when you decide. You simply need to apply more pressure to the brake.
In the first scenario, the likelihood of checking your brake pads is nonexistent. In the second, while you may recognize a sense of agency, the odds of checking the brake pads remain low. Ultimately, the possibility of a brake failure accident is significant in both scenarios.
In the second case, you might realize that your frantic attempts to stop the car aren't effective. You could either turn to faith for solace or conclude that the brake pads need inspection. While the latter is indeed the correct course of action, it doesn't make this understanding any more insightful. Like many drivers, you lack the expertise to fix the issue independently.
Section 1.2: Rethinking Criminality
What does this mean in our society?
Religion often depicts criminals as inherently evil, while society suggests they make conscious choices. However, scientific research presents a different narrative.
Criminals are neither malevolent nor do they actively choose a life of crime. Take any newborn and subject them to adverse conditions—abusive upbringing, poverty, neglect—and the chances of engaging in criminal behavior increase significantly. Conversely, even those who have lived privileged lives may commit crimes when thrust into positions of responsibility and feeling undervalued. Science reveals that anyone can commit offenses under the right circumstances. Alarmingly, it also suggests that a shift in circumstances can rehabilitate criminals into functioning members of society.
This perspective may not align with our desires for justice and retribution, as we often prefer to cast blame and feel superior. This mindset hampers our ability to tackle deep-seated issues like poverty, sexism, racism, and climate change. Both religion and the concept of personal agency shape our understanding of these matters.
Chapter 2: Embracing Scientific Insights
The first video features Richard Dawkins discussing two critical flaws that undermine unscientific beliefs, spanning from political ideologies to religious doctrines.
Science provides an alternative to the binary choice between faith and self-reliance. It enables us to dissect the mechanics of the world, allowing us to understand that brake pads are vital for stopping our metaphorical car. Science offers a guide on how to repair them, yet we often cling to the illusion that we are at the wheel.
There exists a third evaluation that science has recently unearthed. We begin considering not just the hypothetical brake pads, but also external factors like potholes, road conditions, and environmental influences. This perspective allows us to not only repair but also prevent future failures.
Religion often serves as a form of acquiescence, while the notion of control is frequently an illusion. Science elucidates the underlying reasons for various phenomena in our lives, including our struggles with obesity, interpersonal relationships, and societal divides.
Section 2.1: Understanding Our Nature
We are complex systems comprised of interconnected components, shaped by our DNA and influenced by various hormones and chemicals. Our understanding of these relationships is still in its infancy.
The brake metaphor may seem trivial, yet it underscores a profound truth: neither God nor you are behind the wheel. Rather, we embody the vehicle itself. We are intricate machines with hidden processes and reactions to our environment that can alter our state in ways we often fail to perceive. To rectify dysfunctions, we need to comprehend the system and seek external expertise.
To genuinely improve the world, we must become knowledgeable about human behavior and our ecological roles. We must relinquish fatalistic beliefs and egotistical notions, focusing instead on reality. By assisting one another, we can become the external experts we seek.
It’s not as complicated as it may appear. Begin your search, and you may discover that solutions are already available; all you need to do is implement them.
The second video features a debate between Ben Shapiro and Alex O'Connor on whether religion is beneficial for society, further exploring the intersection of faith and scientific understanding.