• kofe@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    1
    ·
    1 day ago

    I’m confused what you’re saying science would say is useless. Having meaning? Cuz that’s well supported in psychology. There are many ways to develop meaning in our lives. Science is just a method that helps us figure out what is effective. Spirituality can be effective in helping to form meaning, sure, but people need alternatives if or when it fails.

    • 1984@lemmy.today
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      Science would say spirituality is useless, even ridiculous, because it cant find evidence for a soul.

      Science can probably measure how our brains respond to spirituality though, and say that its useful because our brains respond to it in a positive way.

      • kofe@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 day ago

        Again though, science is a tool. I’m not sure where you’re getting this idea that “science would say [spirituality is] useless.”

        Also yes, there are studies showing some respond positively. Not everyone. I turned to atheism after decades of screaming to a god that I’ve determined doesn’t exist to help me — so yeah, it’s useless and was even negative in effect for me. But there are hypotheses that holding affirmative beliefs on it has been an evolutionary trait passed down to help the species survive, because we like having answers and what happens after death can’t be answered. Which goes to your point about how we can’t necessarily find evidence for everything we might have questions on. If we can’t find answers we may make things up to quell the discomfort the lack of one can bring to maintain reason to keep living.

        • 1984@lemmy.today
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          1
          ·
          1 day ago

          I have a friend who I sometimes discuss these things with. He has exactly the same view as you here - traits being passed down to help the species survive. You know why its the same? Because this is what science says about it. And if you read science, you will believe the same things. Its not even your own thoughts.

          I just find that interesting. But I also realize the same can be said for spirituality. If you ask someone what they believe, its always a carbon copy of what is popular to believe in those circles.

          • kofe@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            1
            ·
            16 hours ago

            I mean. Again. We’re pattern seeking creatures that like having answers. We developed a method that updates based on new information, replication and peer review. I provided one hypothesis that I’m not even wedded to. I just think its an interesting idea. If you have alternative explanations or ideas I’m open to them, whether they can be tested or not. It’s just my preferred method since it’s more likely to provide meaningful results in my day to day life.

            • 1984@lemmy.today
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              1
              ·
              16 hours ago

              Yeah I agree, im not against science either. Its a very useful tool and without it, we would not be able to do much.

              I just think there is also the aspect of the soul, and spirituality, which makes us human beings. Without that, we are just animals. And science says we are just animals. I dont think so. I actually fully believe we are much more than that. But this comes from my own intuition, and I can never give any evidence for that.

              • kofe@lemmy.world
                link
                fedilink
                English
                arrow-up
                1
                ·
                14 hours ago

                Yeah, we have to draw from presuppositions somewhere no matter what. I presuppose that you are a separate agent from me, aware of your own existence and all that, but I can’t definitively prove it. Can you describe what the distinction is for you that makes us “more” than “just” animals?

    • Cosmonauticus@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      1 day ago

      Im pretty sure op said that. He said the religious aspects of AA help some ppl and they’re right. The issue is ppl act like their arent a-religious alternatives which their clearly are