# What Do You Believe is True Even Though You Cannot Prove It? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 6, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480 "2005-01-06T23:52:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![CeeSpine](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@CeeSpine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CeeSpine)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/101 "2005-01-08T17:01:54Z")
I believe this Post made me join SDMB. I belive that gravity caused me to become spinal injured, but don’t hate it for the accident I believe God has a sense of humor and is laughing at all of us I believe that time is of the essence, but so is whale “spunk” :eek: I believe when I die, I become fertilizer, if not overly embalmbed, and damn the family member that has me overly embalmbed I believe this is my first post…thank you! ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/102 "2005-01-08T20:01:07Z")
I believe that it is impossible for humans to know understand the way the universe works. I believe dark matter theory is wrong because it’s too much of an easy way out. I believe we will never know where most of the matter in the universe really is. I believe extra solar-system space travel is impossible. I believe there is life elsewhere in the universe, but that humans will never be able to make contact with it. (I sure am an optimist, aren’t I?) ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e8c25b/32.png) [@Dr.Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Love)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2005, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/103 "2005-01-08T23:52:10Z")
I believe that we do have free will, whether the universe is ultimately deterministic or not. I believe that we will discover a Theory of Everything, and I hope it will be within my lifetime. I believe that we will never discover anything supernatural. I believe that better understanding of how we work will be a boon to humanity. I believe that the existence of a higher being residing outside our universe is ultimately unprovable (by us). I believe that life exists outside our solar system. I believe that the existence and nature of the universe is independent of what we believe. I believe I want to know more about the God dream **Marconi & Schmeese** had. ---
**Author:** ![bob\_loblaw](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@bob\_loblaw](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_loblaw)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/104 "2005-01-09T00:29:58Z")
i believe that somewhere, somewhen, penis will ensue. ---
**Author:** ![dhcstar957](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/edb3f5/32.png) [@dhcstar957](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dhcstar957)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/105 "2005-01-09T01:04:30Z")
I believe that everything in our lives happen for a reason. I believe that I may not know the why but it is out there somewhere. I also believe that what goes around will come around eventually and I may not witness it, but I believe it to be true. ---
**Author:** ![Indygrrl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@Indygrrl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Indygrrl)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 1:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/106 "2005-01-09T01:33:11Z")
I believe in Gods or Goddesses in some form. I cannot identify with organized religion, but I can’t look at an orchid or a blade of grass, or a peach, or a pregnant woman and think the beauty within them came purely from science. I believe my daughter was sent here to make me a better person. I believe that the love of family is one of the most important things in the world and without it I would be lost beyond hope. I believe in the good in people, but I can also recognize that others are born evil. I believe in extraterrestrials. I believe gay people are born that way. I believe “special” or retarded people have knowledge that regular people do not possess. I also believe they are the angels on this earth. I believe the Straight Dope is the best messageboard on the whole internet. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/107 "2005-01-09T02:25:44Z")
“In spite of everything I still believe that people are really good at heart.” _– Anne Frank_ And I believe that in spite of, and because of, everything, she was right. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/108 "2005-01-09T05:37:12Z")
I believe that I will continue to exist in some form after death, even though I’m not sure what that form will be. I believe that religious people of all stripes, but especially Christians, are dangerous. I believe that there are no absolutes in morality - every action must be taken in context. I believe that my husband and I and our as-yet-non-existent children will have long and generally happy lives. I believe that they will eventually replace the Big Bang theory with something that makes more sense. I believe that animals have feelings and opinions, even though they’re not as smart as a human. I believe that humans will eventually spread to other planets, and thus the species will continue past the inevitable death of the planet. I didn’t used to believe in luck, but once I met my husband and his mother I realized that there are indeed people that things work out for and people that things always go wrong for. Fortunately, my luck is good enough to override his. Anything that I’ve even _really_ wanted in life, I’ve gotten. I believe that there are animals on this planet that we still have not caught and analyzed and named, but that the Lock Ness Monster and Bigfoot are just myths. I believe that Christmas will eventually become a secular holiday. I believe that people are people, no matter what their race, country, creed, sexuality, etc., and that most people are good people who generally try to be nice to others. Also, most people are not very bright. I believe that you should never be a fan of a Philadelphia sports team, because even if they win all season, they’ll generally choke in the final game. Those few that don’t choke will have all of their best players sold off during the off season. ---
**Author:** ![Risha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5fc32e/32.png) [@Risha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Risha)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/109 "2005-01-09T05:39:53Z")
I believe that I’m a lousy speller that should have caught that it is supposed to be “ **Loch** Ness” when I previewed. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/110 "2005-01-09T06:08:19Z")
I believe that the universe really exists, and that it’s nature can be ascertained by experience and science (which are really the same thing.) I believe in progress and that the human race will eventually be rid of war, crime poverty and illness, though the grandchildren of today’s infants won’t see it in their lifetimes, and I admit it’s a process of 10 steps up, 9 steps back. I believe that my cat is the best cat ever. Except for my other cat, who is even better. ---
**Author:** ![gum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bbe5ce/32.png) [@gum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gum)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/111 "2005-01-09T06:14:08Z")
I believe my cats are better than yours. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Othersider](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/cab0a1/32.png) [@Othersider](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Othersider)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 7:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/112 "2005-01-09T07:10:46Z")
I believe I haven’t been here in a long time, mostly because it now costs money to post here, and I’ve never paid to join a forum before. But, this place is pretty darn cool, and seems to be as troll-free as possible. I like it, and I hope I’ll stick around. 🙂 I believe it’s difficult to find a job right now, even if you have education, and especially if you don’t have experience. (I’m a recent college grad.) But, I believe I will find one eventually, though I believe it’s not going to be easy. I believe the more we discover, the more we discover we _don’t_ know. I believe it’s more likely that God exists than not. But I also believe it’s pretty unlikely that most people can obtain knowledge of God (which, in a purely empirical sense, suggests agnosticism). I also believe that God might be completely different than any of our conceptions think He is, and (as some people have suggested) God might not even care whether or not we believe in Him or whether our conception of Him is anywhere near correct…but I believe I am rambling now, so I shall try to curtail it. I believe science and theology are not mutually exclusive. Einstein said that science without religion is lame, and religion without science is blind, and I think there is much truth in that statement. I believe I am a reasonably intelligent, rational human being, that I’m pretty open-minded, and that my stances on issues, even if they be somewhat apathetic, are justifiable and well-thought-out. I believe I’m pretty fortunate, though I don’t count my blessings as often as I should. I believe I am addicted to Coke. And I believe this board is pretty cool, so I hope to be here for a while. ---
**Author:** ![Detritus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@Detritus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Detritus)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/113 "2005-01-09T07:31:38Z")
[ul] [li]I believe I managed to delete my first attempt at this instead of posting it. Dammit![/li][li]I belive that Good and Evil are only in the perception of the beholder. And yet, I believe in a kind of karma. Each time a person acts, they base their decision and action on their perception of the good or evil in the situation. Action will be returned which will, in that person’s perception, correlate to the good or evil of the original act.[/li][li]I believe in reincarnation, although the jury is still out as to whether we reincarnate forever, only until a certain level of “progression” is attained, for an allotted number of cycles, or what.[/li][li]I also withhold final judgement concerning the existence and nature of divinity.[/li][li]I believe that organized religion of any kind tends towards destruction.[/li][li]I believe that JFK was assassinated by our government, that Al Gore was the winner of the 2000 presidential election, and that Leonard Peltier, an innocent man, has been unlawfully imprisoned by the U.S. government for over 25 years. [/li][li]I believe that a person is born with their sexual orientation. [/li][li]I believe that I am totally right-handed, as my left hand is very stupid. I have managed to teach it to type on half the keyboard, but it cannot master the use of a mouse. My husband, on the other hand, is an unrepentant lefty.[/li][li]I _can’t_ believe I just used “on the other hand” there! [/li][li]I believe that every animal which has met my husband has instantly adored him. Some animals–namely some cats who have lived with us–have also hated me with a passion. But since I adore my husband too and he loves me way more than he loves cats, it’s okay.[/li][li]I believe–firmly–that I have the right to completely change my mind about any of my beliefs. This does not invalidate previous beliefs, but rather indicates that I have received additional information upon which to base my beliefs. YMMV![/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 7:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/114 "2005-01-09T07:44:54Z")
> [@gum](#): > > I believe my cats are better than yours. 😉 No they aren’t. 😉 and 😛 (we could keep this up if we wanted, but it might enrage the mods and the hamsters.) ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 9:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/115 "2005-01-09T09:35:27Z")
> [@Sample\_the\_Dog](#): > > Then you don’t credit quantum mechanics, or don’t believe that the complex processes go that far down, so to speak? \ I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. I haven’t seen anything in quantum mechanics that flat-out contradicts strict determinism and quite frankly have trouble imagining something that would. Could you elaborate? ---
**Author:** ![OtakuLoki](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ac8455/32.png) [@OtakuLoki](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OtakuLoki)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 9:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/116 "2005-01-09T09:51:11Z")
> [@Priceguy](#): > > I’m afraid I don’t quite understand. I haven’t seen anything in quantum mechanics that flat-out contradicts strict determinism and quite frankly have trouble imagining something that would. Could you elaborate? If I may, I’ll jump in here. One of the reasons that Einstein refused to face some of the implications of modern atomic theory (and of his own relativity theory) is because it states there is no way to predict what will happen to any _individual_ particle. The classic example of this is the famous Schroedinger’s Cat thought-experiment. When nuclear technicians discuss the half life of a given isotope, we’re discussing the behavior of the population of all atoms with that particular mix of neutrons and protons. So, while I can tell you that the half life as Tritium (aka Hydrogen 3, one proton and two neutrons) is on the order of 10.3 years, I can’t begin to tell you whether _that_ atom of Tritium will decay in the next 10.3 years. Schroedinger’s Cat is a way to make this fact about the nature of individual vs. population behavior very clear. Take a cat, and lock it into a box with a cannister of toxic gas. (Personally, when I designed my Schroedinger’s Cat apparatus for my NI class, I used Sarin, much more toxic than mustard gas, and will decay nicely once exposed to sunlight. And no nasty smell. Yes, I have an odd sense of humor.) Set up a control relay to the cannister, so that if it recieves an action signal it releases the gas into the box with the cat. Then take a radiation detector, shielded so that it will only repsond to the decay the one atom of Isotope X in the sampling chamber. Set it up, so that the detector feeds into the device generating the action signal only - it is vital that there be no external way to determine whether the isotope has decayed, or that the gas has been released. Then sit and tell me, what can you say about the cat in the box? According to Schroedinger, it exists as a complex wave function combining both the possibility it is dead and alive. Until the box is opened, and the cat is actually in a position to be observed by the external universe, that is **all** one can say about it, because the cat’s continued life is determined by whether or not the isotope has decayed. Thus, unless further study makes it possible to determine which atoms, or protons, will decay, it is impossible to claim the universe is completely deterministic. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/117 "2005-01-09T11:31:52Z")
> [@Jackknifed Juggernaut](#): > > This question was asked of 14 scientists. Their answers are given here (free registration required): > > [http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/science/04edgehed.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/01/04/science/04edgehed.html) > > I’d love to hear Doper responses. I need to think about this for a while so I’ll post my opinion later. I believe that I exist, though I cannot prove it. ---
**Author:** ![Dunderman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecb155/32.png) [@Dunderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dunderman)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/118 "2005-01-09T13:32:42Z")
> [@OtakuLoki](#): > > One of the reasons that Einstein refused to face some of the implications of modern atomic theory (and of his own relativity theory) is because it states there is no way to predict what will happen to any _individual_ particle. With you. > [@](#): > > The classic example of this is the famous Schroedinger’s Cat thought-experiment. When nuclear technicians discuss the half life of a given isotope, we’re discussing the behavior of the population of all atoms with that particular mix of neutrons and protons. So, while I can tell you that the half life as Tritium (aka Hydrogen 3, one proton and two neutrons) is on the order of 10.3 years, I can’t begin to tell you whether _that_ atom of Tritium will decay in the next 10.3 years. Aware of that. > [@](#): > > Schroedinger’s Cat is a way to make this fact about the nature of individual vs. population behavior very clear. Take a cat, and lock it into a box with a cannister of toxic gas. (Personally, when I designed my Schroedinger’s Cat apparatus for my NI class, I used Sarin, much more toxic than mustard gas, and will decay nicely once exposed to sunlight. And no nasty smell. Yes, I have an odd sense of humor.) Set up a control relay to the cannister, so that if it recieves an action signal it releases the gas into the box with the cat. Then take a radiation detector, shielded so that it will only repsond to the decay the one atom of Isotope X in the sampling chamber. Set it up, so that the detector feeds into the device generating the action signal only - it is vital that there be no external way to determine whether the isotope has decayed, or that the gas has been released. And that. > [@](#): > > Then sit and tell me, what can you say about the cat in the box? According to Schroedinger, it exists as a complex wave function combining both the possibility it is dead and alive. Until the box is opened, and the cat is actually in a position to be observed by the external universe, that is **all** one can say about it, because the cat’s continued life is determined by whether or not the isotope has decayed. I always thought the cat got the short end of the stick in this experiment. If nothing else, _it_ should know if it’s alive or dead. > [@](#): > > Thus, unless further study makes it possible to determine which atoms, or protons, will decay, it is impossible to claim the universe is completely deterministic. But since I believe we will one day be able to determine that, I can claim that the universe is deterministic. And I do. Well, not claim per se, but I believe it without proof, which brings us nicely back on topic. All quantum mechanics shows us is that things are mightily more complex than we once thought (or not, as the case may be), and at the present time that complexity makes it impossible for us to predict certain events. That doesn’t mean those events aren’t deterministic, just that we can’t spot the chain of cause and effect. ---
**Author:** ![LucyInDisguise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lucyindisguise/32/18064_2.png) [@LucyInDisguise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LucyInDisguise)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/119 "2005-01-09T18:03:02Z")
> [@TastesLikeBurning](#): > > I believe the children are our future, to teach them well and let them lead the way. That is _ **so** _ close, and yet so far … _I_ believe the children are our future, _yet only **if** _ we teach them well and \ ***how** to \* lead the way … 🙂 * * * _I’ll Take Reality for $500, Alex …_ ---
**Author:** ![Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@Speaker\_for\_the\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Speaker_for_the_Dead)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2005, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480/120 "2005-01-09T19:38:49Z")
I believe that humanity has a long future. The idea of our planet being an isolated, meaningless island of life bothers me. I guess I’m sort of a hopeful agnostic. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-believe-is-true-even-though-you-cannot-prove-it/283480.md?page=7)