It shouldn't be our concern to persuade people to our beliefs.
Because our beliefs could be wrong, and in fact, likely are, in at least several respects. — Manuel
Can we decide whose beliefs are right and should be prioritised? — Andrew4Handel
Just a shot in the dark here...but how about evidence — Bradskii
How many issues can be resolved by evidence? — Andrew4Handel
On the not unreasonable assumption that the evidence is acceptable, then I'm struggling to think of one that can't. — Bradskii
How we should run a country.
What I should have for tea.
Whether there should be a death penalty — Andrew4Handel
Well, we'd need to decide how we want it run. — Bradskii
But I'm going to put that down to a personal belief. — Bradskii
Well, we'd need to decide how we want it run.
Based on personal subjective preferences — Andrew4Handel
The evidence can guide but might not decide.
There is also the Natural selection arguments for and against belief validity which relates to the other debate. Would we chose to have beliefs that are not advantageous? Some people do come to self eliminating beliefs. Survival of the fittest belief or survival of the most accurate belief? — Andrew4Handel
This is the first dictionary definition I found of belief. Strangely...
"An acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof. — Andrew4Handel
Can we force people to believe things? — Andrew4Handel
Social pressure is extremely effective, even when it has to do with simple observations. If the people around you believe something that in itself exerts pressure on people to believe certain things. If the people around you would view you negatively if you didn't believe something, this puts even more pressure on you. There need not be any formal punishment, just their judgment.Can we force people to believe things? — Andrew4Handel
It can't force you to buy the product. But if you start with kids, I think it can force you to see the world in a certain way. So, you don't think that buying the right car will get you girl attention/sex in some direct automatic exchange, but you get the sense that having the right things will get you these things AND as a straight guy, you should want these things. Does this mean that every straight boy will believe this? No. But that's because other pressures to believe will be on those children. So, we have a complicated forcing, with a number of agents exerting force on children, giving them their worldview.Advertising does not force, it attempts to persuade. — Pantagruel
I think it can force you to see the world in a certain way. — Bylaw
I don't think this is true. Again you might not buy that product, but you come to see the world through the values and associations they throw at children. Other causes come at you from other fronts, like parents. Other forces may end up forcing you to be half X or Y, but it is only through these outward other pressures.It literally isn't forcing. It is tempting, urging, cajoling. People today are susceptible of this type of influence it is true, because of social and peer pressures, etc., etc., but it is always a choice to allow advertising to bypass reason, — Pantagruel
I wouldn't call the normal developing child mind diminished, since it is normal, but in this context it is. Though even adults can be manipulated in ways they are not even aware of.Anyone who can be literally forced to do something has a diminished capacity in some way. — Pantagruel
Sure, though you could have chosen to die. I actually think that kind of force is less effective than long term manipulation. There is a significant minority that would refuse to kill the baby. At least. But if you have a monocultural bombardment of ideas aimed a child, the exceptions would probably be the people with clinical issues.Anyone who can be literally forced to do something has a diminished capacity in some way. If you are forced at gunpoint to strangle a baby you have a legally diminished capacity that absolves you of responsibility (although you still had the actual ability to refuse). — Pantagruel
Right but again it's not the direct product purchase I am thinking of. It's the attitudes about the world that the child will have later as an adult. even about what the options are, what reality is, what the categories are?If a small child is forced to spend all his money on an expensive toy by advertising it is because that child lacked the adult capacity of reason and self-control, which is why there are limits to what children are allowed to do and why important decision-making authority resides with their parents — Pantagruel
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