"When a person is determined to believe something, the very absurdity of the doctrine confirms them in their faith"
About this Quote
The quote by Junius, "When an individual is determined to believe something, the extremely absurdity of the doctrine validates them in their faith", speaks with the complex and frequently paradoxical nature of human belief. At its core, this statement recommends that belief is not entirely rooted in reasoning or evidence but can be exceptionally influenced by a person's dedication to a specific idea, despite its rationality or plausibility.
One interpretation of this quote is that when individuals have a strong desire to think in something, they frequently end up being invulnerable to rational thinking. The absurdity of the teaching-- meaning its discrepancy from what is commonly accepted as sensible or sensible-- does not hinder them. Rather, it serves to reinforce their belief. This might be because the outlandishness of the belief puts up a sort of mental barrier versus suspicion; by believing in something strange, they affirm their distinct insight or special knowledge.
Additionally, welcoming an unreasonable belief might likewise fulfill a mental requirement. For some, believing in something that defies conventional wisdom may provide a sense of coming from a contrarian neighborhood, or an identity unique from the mainstream. It can work as a type of disobedience versus what is viewed as the tyranny of sound judgment, empowering the individual through contrarianism.
This propensity also highlights a cognitive predisposition referred to as the "backfire impact", where evidence that opposes a strongly held belief paradoxically strengthens that belief. This happens due to the fact that the very act of arguing against the evidence triggers people to dig in their heels and cling more firmly to their preliminary position.
Last but not least, Junius's observation assesses the emotional investment tied to belief. Psychological truths frequently precede empirical ones; people believe what they feel they require to think, and emotions such as worry, hope, or desire can drive them towards beliefs that stand up to reasonable scrutiny. In this method, the absurdity of a teaching does not take apart faith; it fortifies it, as believers perceive it as a test of their conviction and dedication.
