Could you willfully believe something if there was a significant reward in it?

[bobcat]

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

 

[oldaunt]

No, don't think so. I tend to not believe without solid proof.

 

[perplexed]

No, I would not.

 

[Jules]

Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful

Health supplements can promise something. It may or may not work, yet my wanting them to might convince me to take them.

 

[hollydolly]

Health supplements can promise something. It may or may not work, yet my wanting them to might convince me to take them.

good example....

 

[chic]

I have difficulty believing just because I am told to and what if those ten extra years you live turn out to be the worst of your life? It could happen. How would you feel then and would your belief change as a result?

 

[Pepper]

I'm not happy with the example given......try again?

 

[fuzzybuddy]

I could firmly believe people from all over the globe would send donations to my GoFundMe account.
(That is a HINT).

 

[RadishRose]

Sorry, The question doesn't make sense to me.

 

[CallMeKate]

I say you either believe something or you don't. If you *want* to believe it, then do the necessary research until you come to a conclusion that your heart is satisfied with. Doesn't take any incentive/reward... just research all sides until your heart knows what you instinctively believe.

 

[Avon]

Only if I was on large doses of hallucinogenic substances.

 

[helenbacque]

No, I’ll stick with proven fact and truth.

 

[C50]

I don't have it in me to pretend to believe anything other than what I believe, regardless of the reward.

Perfect example for me is God/religion. I spent years trying to find a reason to believe because of the expected benefits. Yet I can't do it, I can't pretend to have faith when my logic tells me otherwise. (No comments please, don't derail the thread)

 

[Magna-Carta]

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

No, I believe I would experience too much internal conflict. The idea of forcing myself to believe something solely for a potential extra 10 years of existence doesn't sit well. It wouldn't be a pleasant extra 10 years of existence. 10 years or more of not being true to myself?

Or of not being true to others with what I believe or don't believe for that matter. I think I would rather not exist.

 

[Pepper]

You may be able to fool your conscious mind but not your unconscious mind. Don't think one can do more than pretend, even to themselves. True belief is true belief.

 

[Avon]

Sure never worked for Prigozhin when he jumped on his plane.

 

[Chet]

I would be lying to myself. I need proof.

 

[Quackers]

I could firmly believe people from all over the globe would send donations to my GoFundMe account.
(That is a HINT).

Me too

 

[Quackers]

I say you either believe something or you don't. If you *want* to believe it, then do the necessary research until you come to a conclusion that your heart is satisfied with. Doesn't take any incentive/reward... just research all sides until your heart knows what you instinctively believe.

Yes, that's pretty much the way I feel too.

 

[OneEyedDiva]

I can't see changing my beliefs for monetary or other benefits (longer life) unless proof that the "new belief" is based on facts and is presented without biases.

 

[Serenity4321]

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

lol I do believe in cosmic intelligence/consciousness So that example was hard for me..but if you said believing in unicorns would give me a benefit I'd say I would not willfully alter my belief. I am not sure how one convinces themselves..I read what others say and see if it makes sense..so perhaps if there were new info on unicorns I would look into them but not necessarily for a benefit..

 

[Judycat]

Believe no, but try it maybe to see if it works for me while knowing full well it probably won't.

 

[Bella]

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

No, I couldn't convince myself of something if I didn't think it was true, just to benefit. That's tantamount to being bought. I don't roll that way.

 

[VaughanJB]

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

I have a more down to earth example of this. In business I was super competitive, and my goals were always full steam ahead. I had goals, and demanded them of myself.

Thinking back now, much of it was nonsense. Software comes and goes. Businesses start and end. Profits are made and spent. etc. To address your question, I was co0nvinced at the time that much of what I was doing was important and purposeful. Now I know that was only true within itself. In the big picture, much of what I pursued was transient.

So I think the answer to your question is YES. We exist in a time and place, and our perspective from that viewpoint is warped and molded by immediate gains. In the long game, it's mostly been BS.

 

[Nathan]

Could you willfully believe something if there was a significant reward in it?

Let's say you don't currently believe something, but you found out that, if you did, it would benefit you. Do you think it's possible to willfully alter your belief?

Example: Let's say you don't believe in any cosmic intelligence or consciousness, however, studies demonstrated that if you did, you could live 10 years longer.
Would you look for ways to convince yourself of the belief because of the benefit, and do you think it could be successful?

Well, I could alter my belief about "something" if factual information came to light that countered my belief, and bolstered the value or validity of the "something" in question. For example: when I was under treatment my gastroenterologist gave me stern warnings about drinking coffee, he said "drink decaf and no more than 1 cup a day". As it turns out recent research indicates the complete opposite. I double-checked, was legit so I guzzled coffee to my heart's content.