Sunday Musings - June 18, 2023
“Feelings vs thoughts vs beliefs”
Lessons for fathers on Father’s Day
Lessons for Juneteenth
Many of us humans use the terms feelings, thinking and beliefs as facts or truths multitude times a day. We may say:
We also may also say::
We may express multiples beliefs a day:
Beliefs, thoughts and feelings may be based on what we feel, want to be true or on some document such as a religious text which we have been told comes from a higher source such as a supreme being. A religious text may be based on several factors including the limited scientific evidence which was available when text was recorded. For example, there was once a belief that all males had limited sperm. Without microscopes or other similar instruments there was no way to prove or disprove that belief. Thus, if one needed a lot of children who survived childbirth and lived to be working adults to ensure the economic viability of a community then one would not want to waste sperm. In that context it made sense to forbid masturbation and same sex relationships by men. Scientific instruments now validate that the average male has plenty of sperm. Fetus and child mortality rates are lower, and most communities do not need many people to ensure economic viability. There are many other examples of religious texts and other folklore based on limited scientific information. Some may be verified; some proven false and some may still be questionable waiting for the means to prove or disprove.
In our communication with ourselves and each other it is important to be clear beliefs, thoughts and feelings are not facts. These are never wrong, but they do not in and of themselves tell us much about what is scientifically true. They may hint at what might be true. They may strongly indicate that something needs to be further explored. They may be triggered by a memory which could be positive or negative. Post-traumatic stress is often a result of some stimulus which triggers a past negative or even life-threatening memory.
Beliefs, feelings and thoughts can be accurate or inaccurate. Given the plethora of sources of stories about the world, many of which may purports to be based on facts, it “should” be obvious to all of us why we need to:
We need to be clear whether we are communicating scientifically backed thoughts, feelings or beliefs when we are the disseminators of information. If I read something on a post on Facebook or Twitter, I should not assume it is true. If I hear a politician say something I should not assume he or she has no political motive. If something does or does not feel accurate, it is fair to say that this feels as if, but I have not independently verified it.
When speaking of another person it makes no sense to base our belief about that person on one’s feelings, beliefs, or thoughts. We humans are frequently guilty of assuming that our limited perceptions tell all the truth about a person or situation.
Imposing our beliefs, thoughts or feelings on another person as absolute and complete truths does not benefit anyone. Accepting them as absolute and complete truths does not benefit anyone.
We could be more intentional about the scientific basis for our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Perhaps we, as the listeners, could be intentional about attempting to validate the basis of the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of others. Perhaps on this Juneteenth weekend we could be very intentional about identifying false beliefs, thoughts or feelings which have led to racist thoughts, feelings, beliefs and actions. Perhaps as fathers we could teach our children to be more scientific in how one arrives at and examines thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Written June 18, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
“Feelings vs thoughts vs beliefs”
Lessons for fathers on Father’s Day
Lessons for Juneteenth
Many of us humans use the terms feelings, thinking and beliefs as facts or truths multitude times a day. We may say:
- I feel physically ill,
- I feel happy.
- I feel you.
- I feel romantic.
- I feel sexual.
- I feel bad for so and so.
- I feel frightened.
- I hate you.
We also may also say::
- I think X would be a good course of action.
- I think B is the correct response,
- I think that person is dishonest,
- I think it is wrong to do action M.
We may express multiples beliefs a day:
- I believe in you.
- I believe my God is the only possible god.
- I believe God is an artificial construct,
- I believe that gender is more fluid that many of us are comfortable believing.
- I believe racism, sexism and homophobia continue to be an active, destructive forces in our culture.
- I believe there is hope for our country.
Beliefs, thoughts and feelings may be based on what we feel, want to be true or on some document such as a religious text which we have been told comes from a higher source such as a supreme being. A religious text may be based on several factors including the limited scientific evidence which was available when text was recorded. For example, there was once a belief that all males had limited sperm. Without microscopes or other similar instruments there was no way to prove or disprove that belief. Thus, if one needed a lot of children who survived childbirth and lived to be working adults to ensure the economic viability of a community then one would not want to waste sperm. In that context it made sense to forbid masturbation and same sex relationships by men. Scientific instruments now validate that the average male has plenty of sperm. Fetus and child mortality rates are lower, and most communities do not need many people to ensure economic viability. There are many other examples of religious texts and other folklore based on limited scientific information. Some may be verified; some proven false and some may still be questionable waiting for the means to prove or disprove.
In our communication with ourselves and each other it is important to be clear beliefs, thoughts and feelings are not facts. These are never wrong, but they do not in and of themselves tell us much about what is scientifically true. They may hint at what might be true. They may strongly indicate that something needs to be further explored. They may be triggered by a memory which could be positive or negative. Post-traumatic stress is often a result of some stimulus which triggers a past negative or even life-threatening memory.
Beliefs, feelings and thoughts can be accurate or inaccurate. Given the plethora of sources of stories about the world, many of which may purports to be based on facts, it “should” be obvious to all of us why we need to:
- Fact checks all incoming information and all our thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
- Be wary of the motives of those disseminating information.
- Be wary of what we consider truths.
We need to be clear whether we are communicating scientifically backed thoughts, feelings or beliefs when we are the disseminators of information. If I read something on a post on Facebook or Twitter, I should not assume it is true. If I hear a politician say something I should not assume he or she has no political motive. If something does or does not feel accurate, it is fair to say that this feels as if, but I have not independently verified it.
When speaking of another person it makes no sense to base our belief about that person on one’s feelings, beliefs, or thoughts. We humans are frequently guilty of assuming that our limited perceptions tell all the truth about a person or situation.
Imposing our beliefs, thoughts or feelings on another person as absolute and complete truths does not benefit anyone. Accepting them as absolute and complete truths does not benefit anyone.
We could be more intentional about the scientific basis for our thoughts, beliefs and feelings. Perhaps we, as the listeners, could be intentional about attempting to validate the basis of the thoughts, feelings and beliefs of others. Perhaps on this Juneteenth weekend we could be very intentional about identifying false beliefs, thoughts or feelings which have led to racist thoughts, feelings, beliefs and actions. Perhaps as fathers we could teach our children to be more scientific in how one arrives at and examines thoughts, feelings and beliefs.
Written June 18, 2023
Jimmy F Pickett
coachpickett.org
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