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0.3.1 Key Learnings From PhilosophyVersion 1.1 December 2015                                        Previous Version How can we begin working out what to believe and what values to hold? What do we simply assume? We begin by examining our most basic beliefs about what the truth is, what the world is like, whether god(s) exist, whether we have souls and where goodness and beauty come from. As we consider these issues we realise that we can't find any answers that we can “prove” are correct. Nor can anyone else “prove” our “answers” wrong. But we can justify our choices. We look at a dilemma we all face. On the one hand: ●  It might be that all our thoughts, beliefs and values are caused by the laws of nature, OR it might be that God knows what we will decide even before we do ourselves. ●  Yet again, perhaps some things, including our beliefs and values, are not caused by anything. Some people think that if such things are NOT caused, then we must have free will, and this is somehow better. In fact what it means is that our beliefs and values are just random – chaotic.  Either way we don't know on what basis we choose any path.  It just looks random. So everything that happens is either caused or chaotic! If immutable laws, fate or the gods control the outcome, is there any point trying to work out for ourselves what is good or beautiful? Without free will, how will we know what is right or true? If we look at the world through rose coloured glasses we believe the world is rosy. On the other hand, we all act as though we can make real choices. ●  Some people claim that they accept the science and resign themselves to the fates. But they are still making a choice – to accept what happens. And there is no doubt they make choices about what to have for breakfast and to look before crossing the road. ●  Ultimately we all effectively choose to believe in the Truth: that it is valid to seek the truth. Our choices reflect what we truly value. This fundamental choice reflects a core value. Many of us think this choice is obvious, or make it unconsciously, unaware of any alternative. Perhaps we do make this choice “freely”; perhaps it is random; perhaps it is determined by our genes or upbringing, according to the laws of nature. Regardless, we make the choice. ●  Valuing the Truth is beyond mere reason, contrary in some ways to our understanding of the natural universe, and is, to that extent, a supernatural belief, taken on faith, not the evidence. We face this dilemma in philosophy (free will versus determinism), science (your genes and your upbringing are not your destiny), history (inevitable trends or accidental outcomes), religion (predestination and grace, karma or divine justice), and art (creativity or influence). Our philosophy provides the basis for a universal narrative, an overarching, perhaps transcendent story, describing how we see the ultimate reality. We end up coming to this summary of our conclusions. You may be able to phrase this better. In subsequent pages we expand out and justify each one of these points. 1: Philosophical Conclusions                           Version 1.2 December 2016      We all live with dilemmas: we choose to seek the Truth about an objective Reality, but our reasoning may be flawed, caused or chaotic, so we live with uncertainty and must allow Diversity; we can't experience this reality directly and our experiences are sometimes wordless – mysterious and wondrous; and our understanding of reality doesn’t require any god(s), souls or spirits, but only the natural world, yet we still choose Life; our conscious minds are almost illusory, but we can still choose the path of Love, pursue Equality and Responsibility and appreciate Beauty, and this philosophy provides core values. more
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