Posted by Heisenberg on March 04, 1999 at 19:24:03:
In Reply to: knowledge posted by rpcman on March 04, 1999 at 11:03:53:
(RPCMAN) So wouldn't it be more correct to say that you *feel* there is a god?
Perhaps, but not necessarily. Certainly it is true to say that I feel there is a God, and that I believe there is a God. But I have had experiences, including specific answers to prayers and instances of inspiration, that to me have been so powerful and so clearly not coincidental as to constitute sufficient proof to say I “know” there is a God. But such experiences are far too personal to constitute evidence that would sway anyone else. Have I (do I) ever have periods of doubt when it would be more appropriate to say “I believe” rather than “I know?” Of course. So it becomes a semantic issue.
(RPCMAN) Feelings don't always (or even usually) lead to *knowledge*.
Not always, and maybe not usually; but I would argue that feelings quite often do lead to knowledge. But it all depends on how you choose to define the words “feel” and “knowledge.” According to Webster’s Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary:
feel vt 1 a: to handle or touch in order to examine, test, or explore some quality b: to perceive by a physical sensation coming from discrete end organs (as of the skin or muscles) 2 a:to undergo passive experience of b: to have ones sensibilities markedly affected by 3: to ascertain by cautious trial – often used with out 4 a: to be aware of by instinct or inference b: believe, think
vi 1 a: to receive or be able to receive a tactile sensation b: to search for something by using the sense of touch 2: to be conscious of an inward impression, state of mind, or physical condition 3: to seem esp. to the sense of touch 4: to have sympathy or pity
n 1: the sense of touch 2: sensation, feeling 3 a: the quality of a thing as imparted through or as if through touch b: typical or peculiar quality or atmosphere; also : an awareness of such a quality or atmosphere 4: intuitive knowledge or ability
knowledge n 1obs :cognizance 2 a (1): the fact or condition of knowing something with familiarity gained through experience or association (2): acquaintance with or understanding of a science, art, or technique b (1): the fact or condition of being aware of something (2): the range of one’s information or understanding I think by those definitions, one can easily make the case that knowledge can, and is often acquired by feelings. In fact, I would argue that one of the most powerful, effective means of acquiring and reinforcing knowledge is by feelings. If I touch you, how do you know I am touching you? You know because you FEEL it. If your eyes are closed, how do you know the wind is blowing? You know because you FEEL it. How do you know when it is hot or cold outside (without looking at a thermometer)? You know because you FEEL it. If you are in a vehicle and can’t see outside, how do you know when the vehicle starts moving? You know because you FEEL it. Now the feelings of which I have spoken heretofore arise from different sources – nerve endings in the skin, attached to hair follicles, and in the otolith organs and semi-circular canals of the inner ear. But there are other senses that can be cultivated and result in “feelings;” even if the mechanisms by which they work are not yet understood. For example, blind people can often sense (“feel”) that others enter into their presence even if no sound or physical contact is made. A mother can often sense (“feel”) when her child is troubled or in danger, even though they are some distance away (even fathers are sometimes known to have such experiences). Are these “feelings” any less valid as sources of information or knowledge (“the fact or condition of being aware of something”) than the other senses? I disagree with the school of thought that holds that “feelings” are somehow illegitimate motives for action or belief, or are disreputable or not worthy of consideration. I would agree that to act exclusively on “feelings” may not always be the wisest course of action; but in some cases it is (e.g. the example I previously mentioned about a parent sensing that their child is in danger). Certainly, we need to try to obtain as much information as we can from as many different sources as we can. But to discard out of pocket “feelings” as totally invalid or unworthy is unwise, at best; and at worst deprives us of important, perhaps crucial, information (or - dare I say it - inspiration?). As I said, I am not arguing in favor of the reliance on feelings to the exclusion of other sources of information in all cases. Can we sometimes be deceived by our emotions or by the power of suggestion? Of course we can. But likewise, we can be confused by optical illusions or trickery (falsified photos and special effects, for example). Our sense of hot and cold can be fooled by clever manipulation (we’ve all seen the hands-on display in the museum where coils of alternatively warm and cold tubes adjacent to one another cause a perception of extreme heat or cold). We can also be deceived by falsified experimental results and inaccurate or incomplete historical accounts. So, what is a person to do? All any of us can do is read, study, and try to cultivate ALL of our senses by contemplation, meditation, and even (here I go again) prayer. I “feel” that I have said enough for now. - Heisenberg