The reflexive rejection of patterns of thought one finds alien is a sign of limitation
I think it's less reflexive rejection than an inability to get certain patterns of thought past an initial probability screen. I find it almost impossible to entertain, for example, the belief that I should invest my entire personal wealth in AZNT (if it still exists). This sort of idea is rejected after the most cursory examination because it fails the most basic initial tests of rationality. It is so obviously a dumb thing to believe that it does not merit more than a cursory examination. There are other ideas that fall into the same category, for example the idea that the earth sits on the back of a gigantic turtle, or that a fat man dressed in red delivers presents all over the world on an appointed day, or that our entire existence is ruled by an omniscient, omnipotent, benevolent being that punishes wrong, rewards right, and grants favors when petitioned. I simply cannot find any way to fit these ideas through the first level of examination. In order to grant them serious consideration I would have to abandon my most basic reasoning faculties, and that would simply be dishonest.
I can't imagine anything that I or any other person could do that would make me believe in God. I just can't do it, any more than I can believe that a powerful dude named Zeus ever sat on top of Mt. Olympus, ruled the world of the Greeks, and descended to dally with mortal maidens. There just isn't any reason to believe it. I could pretend to believe - I did exactly that for a number of years, to please my parents - but what good would that do anyone?
I suppose that unwillingness to engage in self-deception is a limitation of sorts, but it is a limitation that I am willing to adopt. |
