Poll: You're wrong and I can prove it

[TheIronRuler]

Hello escapists.

(Last poll option - "I can't see myself as such a different person")

I want to ask each of you a series of simple questions and receive some sort of an answer from you-

"What will make you admit a misake you've made?"

This can go from simple white lies where you tell your girlfriend what she wants to hear and swear to yourself she better not hear the truth to changing your world view, your faith in a higher power and the meaning of life, the universe and everything (It's 42. Or 56. I'm not so sure now).

We all have some opinions and we have all made some actions we regret, but what will make you stand up and admit your mistake - even if now you're thinking that what you believe is the only truth there is. What will make you change your mind? Will it be sufficient evidence, strong emotions, a connection to a victim or a special experience?

What will make you admit to a mistake you've done in the past?

What will make you change your mind, renounce your faith or repent?

What will make you a dirty communist or a greedy capitalist? (Applies to any socio-economic policy, so answer if you're not either and state your wolrd view in this matter)

If you want, share some of your opinions with us. Opinions can be about women's rights, socio-economic policy, Gay's rights, minority rights, racism, God in politics, etc. I want to hear you people!


And finally, can you even imagin yourself holding a different opinion on some of your more core aspects of your personality and world view?

(Escapists, share what you want to. Also know that there is a great range of options here and I'm sorry if I haven't mentioned anyone here)

 

[TheIronRuler]

It depends. I admit most things but sometimes I tell lies like "my holiday was great!" in order to avoid explaining the aspects which were good/bad and why I wasn't completely taken with it.

I think I'm fairly honest irl.

I can push my point pretty far if the argument goes sour, sometimes even with the same intensity as online. I don't insult them or anything but I'll let an argument escalate if I've invested some effort into it.

The issue is I'm not surrounded by the most intellectual people at the moment, hopefully uni will fix that.

.
I think there's a list of books and articles you ought to read as a uni student that will open you up to a lot of new things, but remember to remain critical of what you're exposed to.

Do you see yourself with changed convictions, a different world view or attitude in the future? Do you think something can change you, and if so, what would that thing be?

 

[Shadowstar38]

What will make you admit to a mistake you've done in the past?

Any realization or prof I was wrong.

What will make you change your mind, renounce your faith or repent?

This is just plain impossible for me.

What will make you a dirty communist or a greedy capitalist?

I'm not either. But I like money I guess. Who doesnt?

And finally, can you even imagin yourself holding a different opinion on some of your more core aspects of your personality and world view?

Yes. Such has happened before.

 

[TheIronRuler]

What will make you admit to a mistake you've done in the past?

Any realization or prof I was wrong.

What will make you change your mind, renounce your faith or repent?

This is just plain impossible for me.

What will make you a dirty communist or a greedy capitalist?

I'm not either. But I like money I guess. Who doesnt?

And finally, can you even imagin yourself holding a different opinion on some of your more core aspects of your personality and world view?

Yes. Such has happened before.

.
The question about the socio-economic theory you hold as the truth is made to all of them, so state what you believe in (Socialism, Laizess Faire, etc.) and answer the question, please.

Also - I understand you can't see yourself as someone different in your faith in the future, but can you imagine some event that might change that?

 

[Shadowstar38]

.
The question about the socio-economic theory you hold as the truth is made to all of them, so state what you believe in (Socialism, Laizess Faire, etc.) and answer the question, please.

Also - I understand you can't see yourself as someone different in your faith in the future, but can you imagine some event that might change that?

My knowledge of these systems in practice are limited. But I'd likely say whatever system the Dutch use, because it appears to work out better than capitalism.

An event that might change my faith...I cant see it. I have faith in site of lack of scientific evidence to support what I believe in. So I cant see anything happening that's believable. Nothing short of seeing a god floating around on earth will do it.

 

[TheIronRuler]

-snip-
Things like politics, I am pretty ignorant. I could see my attitude regarding it changing. I'm quite apathetic though seeing as it's so futile.

Remaining critical? I agree, it's too easy to just read a headline and make an opinion but I've been shown too many times that that is a huge pitfall.

Regarding religion I doubt I will change (as I said in my edit). I've given quite a bit of thought to that sort of stuff recently (too much time to think at work) but I usually come back to "we are just the product of random chance and mutations".

Also, this is a fucking great thread. It's making me think which is better than many threads these days.

.
I can see you're pretty young and at this age a lot of things are uncertain. I would also like to hear more from the escapists more adult crowd, though I doubt there are many 50 year old here.

Your opinion on religion can change. I've heard many stories about spectacular events pusing people in either way. I know that now we can't imagine them, but they might happen some day. Can any of use even see us as a different person in the future?

 

[Padwolf]

What will make me admit to a mistake I've done in the past? Just ask me about it. I won't hide away from the past or the mistakes I have made. I certainly wouldn't lie about it either. I don't lie to anyone anymore really, not even little white lies. Telling lies is a lot more trouble than it's worth, I've also learned that people appreciate the truth a lot more. I can't see myself changing that. I don't go around blurting my life story to anyone and everyone, but if someone asks me about a specific time in my life I won't shy away from all the details.

As for what would make me change my mind and world view? That depends. It would take many things for me to change my world view. I know it can be changed, it's just that it would take many things to do so, but I keep an open mind. As for my faith in higher power, I don't think anything would change my view on it really, I cannot see myself holding a different opinion. Also because I'm unsure where I stand with higher powers.

To be honest I can't even imagine me holding a different view than the one's I do now. I also can't see myself changing core aspects of myself. Some things may change, but some are absolute.

 

[TheIronRuler]

ignore this post.

 

[TheIronRuler]

.
The question about the socio-economic theory you hold as the truth is made to all of them, so state what you believe in (Socialism, Laizess Faire, etc.) and answer the question, please.

Also - I understand you can't see yourself as someone different in your faith in the future, but can you imagine some event that might change that?

My knowledge of these systems in practice are limited. But I'd likely say whatever system the Dutch use, because it appears to work out better than capitalism.

An event that might change my faith...I cant see it. I have faith in site of lack of scientific evidence to support what I believe in. So I cant see anything happening that's believable. Nothing short of seeing a god floating around on earth will do it.

.
That's an absolute, is it? You're as convicted in your belief of no higher power than a religious man is convicted of a god, then? Or will you accept evidence showing the existance of god?

 

[Shadowstar38]

.
That's an absolute, is it? You're as convicted in your belief of no higher power than a religious man is convicted of a god, then? Or will you accept evidence showing the existance of god?

Actually, I may have miss lead you unintentionally. Sorry.

I believe in God. There is no science out there that can disprove God. Hence, someone else's god appearing before me to prove me wrong is the only thing that would make me believe otherwise.

Also, "In site of"? I meant in spite of. Where's my head at...

 

[RJ 17]

It's impossible for anyone to change anyone else's core belief system. You can argue and present all the evidence you want, however they will just offer up their counter arguments. It's the same old same old, it's why Democrats and Republicans hate each other...both saying the exact same thing about each other: that the other side is full of crazies and morons.

The point is, and a lot of your questions were leading to this, only a person can decide to change their core beliefs due to personal experience. You might be a democrat and realize that the democrats running the show are ruining the economy and it's hurting you, so you switch to republican. You might be republican and then hear that republicans have a 0 tolerance for abortions and you believe that a woman has the right to get an abortion if there's a good reason for it, so you switch to democrat. But no republican will ever get into a debate with a democrat and have the democrat suddenly go "Holy shit, you're right! God, I've been so incredibly wrong!" Nor will a democrat ever be able to get a republican to say that.

The only reason I say this is specifically because you're topic is titled "You're wrong and I can prove it." You can't prove anything to anyone. Reality is completely subjective. Two different people can listen to the exact same speech and both come away with completely opposite ideas of what was said. They might be able to understand the other side's point of view, but they'll never convince the other side that their side is right. Only personal experience can change someone's personal views.

 

[Arakasi]

Show me evidence and my views can change.
The beauty of science.

 

[Ola Kveli]

I'm not going to go in guns blazing, but it seems to me someone started studying something at a university and was filled with a psudeo-feeling of intelligence, hence starting asking people questions (Socrates, please.) about their lives and opinions.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is this not sheer arrogance, as well as a huge waste of your time?

 

[TheIronRuler]

I'm not going to go in guns blazing, but it seems to me someone started studying something at a university and was filled with a psudeo-feeling of intelligence, hence starting asking people questions (Socrates, please.) about their lives and opinions.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is this not sheer arrogance, as well as a huge waste of your time?

.
No.
I want to see how people see themselves now and if they can look back at their situation now from a theoretical future the same way they look back at themselves 5, 10, 20, 50 years ago.

 

[FalloutJack]

I'm far too stubborn to be wrong.

 

[C F]

"What will make you admit a misake you've made?"

Generally the answer is time. Time to realize the entirety of things beyond my limited (and evidently wrong) understanding. Time to realize what wrongs I've done. Then I'll step up and concede that I've made a mistake.

"What will make you admit to a mistake you've done in the past?"

Admit to myself? As soon as I come to realize it was a mistake.
Admit to others? ...Who needs to know? That wasn't a smug sarcastic answer, but an honest question; who was involved and who is relevant to the mistake will determine whether or not I'll tell anyone about it.

"What will make you change your mind, renounce your faith or repent?"

Spoiler: Spoiler'd to save a bit of length on my ramblings. Feel free to disregard this if you are not interested.

Diggin' deep, pal. Deeper than I am as I juggle the tasks of Minecraft and typing this response.[footnote]Actually, I'm not digging at all. I'm up on a tower observing an orchard of oak trees and saplings. Comparison hereby rescinded.[/footnote]

First off: Theist here. Christian to be exact. And to ask me to ditch that?
I'm not going to claim that this is an entirely closed matter, but it's going to take... a lot.

I'm not sure what, exactly, but whatever it is, it's got to be a world-shattering discovery, beyond the things that can possibly be speculated (I know, I've tasted and dismissed a lot of speculation on this aspect). So far, the only chance I have to know with the absolute certainty whether or not my beliefs are validated... lies beyond the grave. By then it's kind of irrelevant anyway, since this whole "life" thing will be done and dusted. Just how the game rolls, you can't cheat using hindsight and you get no re-dos.

I mean... sure there's no absolute, universally accepted proof that there is an almighty Creator, but I like to adhere to the notion that if there is something that has the power and authority to invent existence, science, and logic, then that something also has the capacity to be exempt from them; a concept that makes sense and/or seems utterly insane. And yes, my "and/or" implies that both are an option. That's its nature, see?

For me, its hard to disprove that using ordinary logic, it's simply a matter of whether or not you want to believe.
Sure, I'll believe. Isn't that what this "faith" thing is all about? A belief not tied down to the requirement of proof?

...Eh, enough about that. I don't like to get philosophical for too long.

"What will make you a dirty communist or a greedy capitalist? (Applies to any socio-economic policy, so answer if you're not either and state your world view in this matter)"

I'm a Capitalist, so I'm assuming you're asking me to consider switching to the Socialist/Communist "let's have a fair society, guys" mentality. So... what will this take?

I won't settle for anything less than a complete and thorough re-programming of humanity. Being a human, I know what humanity is like. We are susceptible to this concept called "greed". And I can also tell that over eighty percent of people I've met have less self-control than me, and a sizeable chunk of them have some threshold of potential gain that once passed will cause them to screw over their fellow man in pursuit of it.

I honestly don't think we as a society can thoroughly avoid greed, and that simply will not do if I'm to be putting any stock in an economic system based on the expectation of sharing and caring. I'll just stick with the socio-economic principle that factors greed into the equation and puts it to use, thanks.

"And finally, can you even imagine yourself holding a different opinion on some of your more core aspects of your personality and world view?"

Every time I More often than I look in the mirror, I wonder "what would happen if I was or wasn't this; if I did or didn't do that..." I constantly consider and re-evaluate who I am, and why I am that way. Just a bit of healthy introspection, you know how it goes.

 

[Lyri]

What will make you admit to a mistake you've done in the past?
It depends on the mistake, if it is a belief or opinion I held then I'm always happy to admit to my changing of view point and more importantly why I believe I was wrong now.
Sometimes I believe learning to be a personal thing and you should reflect upon them and not necessarily have to admit out loud to being wrong, knowing and growing is enough

What will make you change your mind, renounce your faith or repent?
Who knows? People could say that "if someone gave me proof in Deity X then I will believe" but if that was to ever happen people would still question it.
I told my future Mother-In-Law who is a devout evangelical Christian that if I had proof that God didn't exist then I would never show it too the world. I don't believe one person has the right to take away someone's belief like that. Everyone is entitled to believe what they want
if they feel it makes them a better person.

What will make you a dirty communist or a greedy capitalist? (Applies to any socio-economic policy, so answer if you're not either and state your wolrd view in this matter)
I love money. Captialism, Ho!

And finally, can you even imagin yourself holding a different opinion on some of your more core aspects of your personality and world view?
It is possible, yes. I maintain an open mind on all things and as an example even though I do not believe in Jesus Christ or God currently, I have no qualm with going to church to sing the songs and listen to the teachings of her faith. In time I may come to belief in those stories but I doubt it but it is possible.

 

[C F]

I'm not going to go in guns blazing, but it seems to me someone started studying something at a university and was filled with a psudeo-feeling of intelligence, hence starting asking people questions (Socrates, please.) about their lives and opinions.

Correct me if I am wrong, but is this not sheer arrogance, as well as a huge waste of your time?

Reason or no, it's a great deal more interesting than some of the other threads we have.

And "waste of time" is precisely what I'm on the Escapist forums for.
It's awesome to be able to do this, to have a place where you can go on and ask internet people questions about hypothetical change in their life's philosophies, knowing that you're free to click to inane youtube videos if you ever get bored.

...And since when was asking a set of questions to an internet forum community in any way arrogant?

I'm far too stubborn to be wrong.

Spoken like a true champ.