Would life be a disaster if no one believed in anything?

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Years ago I was musing with the thought of how life would be like if no one belived in anything.No religion,no spirituality,I guess no philosophy and/or political ideologies and I guess that in a more literal sense no one trusting in anyone.Would that mean that everyone would be a functional nihilist?.A few weeks later an english teacher of mine brings that when discussing “The catcher in the rye” I think or it might having just a general class conversation.He said (I think) that he’s doesn’t no if there is a God and doesn’t care about who’s in charge.He just wants to be happy but he’s okay with other people’s beliefs b/c he said that if no one believed in anything then life would be a disaster.I find it interesting that he got to that conclusion before I did (if it was ever likely that I would).Even though I agree with him on that,can anyone explain what that means?.That “li**fe be a disaster if no one believed in anything”?.Thank you for your time.
 
Years ago I was musing with the thought of how life would be like if no one belived in anything.No religion,no spirituality,I guess no philosophy and/or political ideologies and I guess that in a more literal sense no one trusting in anyone.Would that mean that everyone would be a functional nihilist?.A few weeks later an english teacher of mine brings that when discussing “The catcher in the rye” I think or it might having just a general class conversation.He said (I think) that he’s doesn’t no if there is a God and doesn’t care about who’s in charge.He just wants to be happy but he’s okay with other people’s beliefs b/c he said that if no one believed in anything then life would be a disaster.I find it interesting that he got to that conclusion before I did (if it was ever likely that I would).Even though I agree with him on that,can anyone explain what that means?.That “li**fe be a disaster if no one believed in anything”?.Thank you for your time.
I guess that if nobody believed in anything, there’d be no common ground on which to build a community.
 
I guess that if nobody believed in anything, there’d be no common ground on which to build a community.
Yeah,it occurred to me right now.Anomie and amoral relativism would reign supreme,eh?
 
I have difficulty imagining the human race being devoid of all philosophy and yet still being human.

But, yeah, that seems to me to be quite a recipe for disaster.
 
Years ago I was musing with the thought of how life would be like if no one belived in anything.No religion,no spirituality,I guess no philosophy and/or political ideologies and I guess that in a more literal sense no one trusting in anyone.Would that mean that everyone would be a functional nihilist?.A few weeks later an english teacher of mine brings that when discussing “The catcher in the rye” I think or it might having just a general class conversation.He said (I think) that he’s doesn’t no if there is a God and doesn’t care about who’s in charge.He just wants to be happy but he’s okay with other people’s beliefs b/c he said that if no one believed in anything then life would be a disaster.I find it interesting that he got to that conclusion before I did (if it was ever likely that I would).Even though I agree with him on that,can anyone explain what that means?.That “li**fe be a disaster if no one believed in anything”?.Thank you for your time.
Ever read Orwell’s Animal Farm? There is no such thing as a political vacuum; so they could live very well, some would take over and make life miserable for the rest.
 
Ever read Orwell’s Animal Farm? There is no such thing as a political vacuum; so they could live very well, some would take over and make life miserable for the rest.
I have read it and since you brought it up I guess that it can even be said that there are things that would definately not be a good thing to believe in and/or a basis for belief.Ex.Racial superiority and thinking that one’s own ethnic group is superior to another.Unfortunately I think that there is a subconscious human desire for having to have superiority in some form or another for whatever reason that will always be present and has to be quelled and kept from doing bad things.The thought of racial superiority probably being one of those most prominent demonstrations of this in how it can lead to xenophobia,slavery,cross-cultural hostility along with prejudices and discrimination of many sorts.Also I think that it can be argued that there such thing as a political vacuum can happen:doesn’t* anarchy *count;)?
 
…Unfortunately I think that there is a subconscious human desire for having to have superiority in some form or another for whatever reason that will always be present and has to be quelled and kept from doing bad things.
On the other hand, if people didn’t think their society was better than others, that society would not be long for the world.
The thought of racial superiority probably being one of those most prominent demonstrations of this in how it can lead to xenophobia,slavery,cross-cultural hostility along with prejudices and discrimination of many sorts.Also I think that it can be argued that there such thing as a political vacuum can happen:doesn’t* anarchy *count;)?
Anarchy is one of those ideas that look good on paper but won’t work for the same reason: political vacuum. Anarchy advocates voluntary associations, but it wouldn’t be long before some despot took advantage of the usual human tendency to “let George do it” … and take over the society and form an oppressive government. As I recall, this is what happened in Animal Farm.
 
On the other hand, if people didn’t think their society was better than others, that society would not be long for the world.
You meant to say * that society wont be around for long in this world * did you not?.Or did you actually mean to say that such a society wouldn’t belong in this world?.
 
The space in “be long” is meant to be there. “X is not long for this world” just means that X isn’t going to last very long.
 
While I agree that if such a belief were clinged to it would help the community to exist but it’s definately not one of the better choices to pick as a belief to follow and there’s plenty of other options out there that can circumvent that one.Now that I think about in an ideal world everyone would pick a good thought as the basis for belief but the reality is that sometimes a morally questionable one is picked that might lead to some trouble in the future and can only be reevaluated with hindsight.For instance if this was like 10,000 years ago couldn’t a rudimentary community prosper just as well if they had an underlying belief that no ethnic group is superior to any other,everyone is different and yet must be treated impartially?.Heck,I cant think of any* historical examples of that*🤷,but wouldn’t such a community be just as well so long as they get down to the real work of meeting neccesities? (through agriculture and animal husbandry instead of some sort of raiding) while defending themselves when neccesary from enemies BUT not with the thought in mind that there superior then some “barbarians” who are trying to kill them but with the simple thought that there some ppl are in violation of forcefully using what they rightfully earned and need.
 
Belief is power. Without belief, the world would lose culture, advancement–probably everything except a blind pursuit of comfort and pleasure. Everything would unravel.
 
Belief is power. Without belief, the world would lose culture, advancement–probably everything except a blind pursuit of comfort and pleasure. Everything would unravel.
So often though do I think that,that is the case though from what I see in how exploitative ppl can be more money and luxury pursuits
 
…Heck,I cant think of any* historical examples of that*🤷,but wouldn’t such a community be just as well so long as they get down to the real work of meeting neccesities? … while defending themselves when neccesary from enemies BUT not with the thought in mind that there superior then some “barbarians” who are trying to kill them but with the simple thought that there some ppl are in violation of forcefully using what they rightfully earned and need.
If all societies are equal and none better than others, why would you defend yours? Why not just join the attacker’s society?
 
If all societies are equal and none better than others, why would you defend yours? Why not just join the attacker’s society?
b/c your society has a particular identity and ethos but DOES NOT feel that it’s superior to the attackers.Your society would just like to be left alone to do it’s own thing.Also I never suggested that these attackers would be open enough to let your society in and co-operate with them.Why did you bring that up?.
 
b/c your society has a particular identity and ethos but DOES NOT feel that it’s superior to the attackers.Your society would just like to be left alone to do it’s own thing.Also I never suggested that these attackers would be open enough to let your society in and co-operate with them.Why did you bring that up?.
You have added more information that shows they are not equal, violating your original premise.
 
You have added more information that shows they are not equal, violating your original premise.
“Oi,you just don’t get it do you?:dts:” is honestly what I’m thinking in my mind. I mean no disrespect or insult with this truth.Okay,look I’ve one of the reasons for the way I’ve worded my answers is b/c I would not like to give real life examples b/c there’s some pretty strong point in cases and I personally feel like I’m pointing fingers at people.Yet,for the sake of this debate I’ll do it so it will help resolve this and you’ll finally see what I’m getting at.

Let me give you an example:Japan.Historically although it’s been always pride fully independent society even though it clearly has been influenced by other cultures notably the Chinese while never been subjected having to the experience of being colonized. Invaded and/or raided?. Yes. But almost having their culture and/or people totally wiped out? Oh heck no, not with that codified way of life that also made such a loyal military force that it still leaves a mark decades after it was perverted for selfish government reasons in WWII.***What good did those ***xenophobic tendencies and fanatical nationalism that sprouted out of thinking that they were more “Westernized” and therefore superior to other Asian cultures *bring to the world *:hmmm:?.It made them cocky enough to try to invade East Asia bring which included over three decades of controlling Korea, using the woman there as "comfort woman”, added a particularly hard to beat theatre of war which ended after using one of the deadliest weapons ever invented twice. Even after their defeat it gave rise to the reputations of certain people who are controversially seen as war heroes to them but war criminals to the countries they ventured to. Or for a more recent example Sudan.One of the reason it split up was b/c the Islamified northern part culturally considered themselves more similar to Arabs in contrast to the southern region which did not and also had a higher population who practised Christianity. After so much relentless persecution by the northern region they finally got fed up enough to split up and become a different county.

I can also make up a hypothetical scenario using high school setting as an analogy. Let’s say that in a calculus class of 30 that I’m in 1/5 of them are super talented and athletic loudmouth braggarts who are more accomplished and proficient then me the subject (I have been in pretty similar situations at times by the way but not like this one).I will voluntary choose to treat them with the same amount of respect like any other person deserves even though they make harasses me, goad me, prank me and call me names. Now let’s say at some point my mark gets significantly higher then there’s. They find out about this by taking away my progress report. And what word might might that unexpectedly high mark of mine that left them with their jaws wide open? Unprecedence.That’s right despite the way they were acting with that personality of theirs it is not like they’re going to stay that way forever.Life is change.People can obviously change. To think that they cant is downright ignorance to think that they cant.But after that unexpected change what could happen to the old persecutor?. They could be scared and end up the persecuted one this time. But after reaching such a level the ex-persecuted shouldn’t feel like doing that. He’s able to meet his own needs now and can keep on happily keeping to himself if they weren’t already. His conspicuous abilities and accomplishments speak for themselves.He can continue to peacefully view and treat others.There is no obligation to think otherwise.

There haven’t ever been too many societies outside certain Asian one to be taken seriously by aspiring colonizers like various European groups (ex.Spain) and live to tell about it without having some or most of without most of their own people killed. Similarly there are not many people who consistently treat all people nice (including those who marginalized them at some point) regardless of the different ethnicity, talents, status, abilities, upbringing and they have. All those ethnic groups who ended up marginalized don’t you think they would have liked to have had a successfully enriching cultural dialogue with the European newcomers that would mean they all just end of getting along and co-existing without one of them sneering with their noses up at the mere thought of the others b/c one group chose to be “mind blind” with preconceptions and biases to further impair them?. How did all that end up? I mean sure the Natives might have had some arguable customs like human sacrifices along with likely practising questionable magic and rituals and in the end ended up changing for the better but the European colonizers were far from perfect themselves when they initially came with unjust socioeconomic policies like feudalism, their own style of slavery and draining up resources.

Does this help you understand what I’m getting at -_-?.I’m sorry if this posting has sounded ireful by the way.I’m not angry at you.This stuff I just said get me* particulary *impassioned.
 
Belief is power. Without belief, the world would lose culture, advancement–probably everything except a blind pursuit of comfort and pleasure. Everything would unravel.
We would be just like every other animal in the world: food, sex, food, sex, food, sex, food, sex, poop, food, sex, food, sex, food, sleep, etc…repeat.😃
 
Taken to extreme, it would mean people would no longer believe in the reality of the universe, the self, or perceptions. They would no longer believe that words of concepts meant anything. They certainly wouldn’t believe that comfort and pleasure were desirable, and even less in reputation or honour. They would no longer care whether they lived of died.

If this happened, people would be a less anxious, a less greedy, a less prone to fight- knowing that in the end nothing really matters. The world would be covered in apathy. But perhaps this would be good- apathia was regarded as the highest virtue by many saints of old.

The problem today is many people have lost belief in the spiritual, but retain belief in the material (and, to a large degree, the social)- leading to greed, promiscuity, ambition, etc.

The person who truly doesn’t believe in anything- a Cynic saint, a nihilistic ascete, would truly be a great sage, a hero of inactivity, a silent prophet of apathia- transcending all dualities and all things, visible and invisible. Maybe this is what the mystics meant when they talked about going beyond God, to the nothingness beyond glory, peace, and Heaven.

And maybe saints like this are to be found living in basements and under bridges around the world…
 
My answer hinges on the distinction between knowledge and belief added to the idea that the mind abhors a vacuum. It is designed to devide, one of the reason it has been personalized as “the adversary” and all the names for that. Division necessitates belief if there is not knowledge. And that is fine. But when belief is taken as a satisfactory substitute for knowledge, eg as in most religious faith, and isn’t worked with aas a begining hypothesis, then we have trouble. It is not money, as I said elsewwhere, that is at the root of all “evil.”

So belief taken as an end, as distinct from a working hypothesis, is the root of discord until it is replaced by knowledge. And by that I mean repeatable, commonly experienced, universal knowledge. Not faith or opinion.

So in a world where no one believed anything, knowing that ignorance is the begining of wisdom, even things we were sure of would be subject to the humility of our knowing we don’t know. Ithat wolrd beleif would be a way station to knowing and find its proper place as a tool, not a position of emotional perosnal security.

I think what your prof might have been getting at is that the general level of immaturity in our species is so low that there has to be some kind of consensus, however faulty, in order for at least some small groups of us to get along with each other. But that doesn’t wash on a larger scale, or we would all have the same world view.

Science, while it is useful in the basics as far as repeatability, etc, still only deals with surfaces, as do most of our inculcated attitudes in this society where we are trained to be consumers and materialists, despite andy “spiritual” aspirations we might have. But that is why it has been recommended throughout the ages to go beyond the discursive mind, to “gnothi seauton,” or to know oneself.

The purpose of that endeavor is to aquaint yourself experientially with a phase of your awareness rarely experienced and even more rarely admitted or talked about. That is the fact that you can learn to shut off your discursive mind and know yourself in an entirely different light. And that is not a matter of religion, it is simply a fact of life. Ask anyone of any persuasion in any time or culture who has accomplished that, and they will agree. It is an experience of the structure of awareness, not a belief to be accepted or not, unless you haven’t expereinced it and wish to argue with reality. Have fun. It might happen to you anyway. Grace isn’t prejudiced, however much any individual might be. Ask Paul the Evangalist.

So once having had that grace, if you wish to call it that, you know clealry and conclusively that what you “know” with your discursive mind is absolutely relative. It is no longer a matter of opinion or belief. It is an experiential reality. Then you can move on, and instead of constructing paradigms, you can see how what you pecieve is part of your encounter with Creation as expereinced form a particular and necessarily very limited perspective.

So thus you can come to see that all you percieve is a belief, but you know what underlies it. And you can see that if there were no beliefs, there wouldn’t be difference of opinion in so many fundamental areas, and there would be a great dearth of contrary conclusions in and about the world.
 
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