A Conversation for Defining Terms of Belief
Writing Workshop: A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gone again Started conversation Oct 29, 2002
Entry: Musings on a theme of belief - A855371
Author: Pattern-chaser - U131178
This page - http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A855371 - is associated with the uni project on belief (http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/alabaster/A853751)
It comprises informal definitions and brief comments on belief and associated concepts. Your comments are welcome: thanks for making them. 
Pattern-chaser
"Who cares, wins"
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gnomon - time to move on Posted Oct 30, 2002
You say "some things are knowable and some are not". I think this needs a bit of padding out. My first reaction to it was that everything is knowable. If it is not knowable then it is not a thing. To me, most unknowables are just meaningless concepts. On second thoughts, though, it is more complicated. Perhaps you could discuss this.
There's a typo: "sew the seeds" should be "sow the seeds".
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gone again Posted Oct 30, 2002
Yes, fair enough. Some explanation would be helpful to the reader. I'll think about exactly what I want it to mean before I make a change. I think what I should really say is that there are many questions we can't answer, and that some of *those* don't actually have meaningful answers. Or perhaps I mean that there is knowledge out there which is not comprehensible to humans....
I was trying to keep the entry simple, minimal, and elegant. But *too* simple is not elegant, it's just wrong. Thanks for the comment, Gnomon. 
How kind! 
It was a brainstorm, actually. 
I deliberately wrote "sew". 
Woe is me; my mind is collapsing; the end is nigh!
Pattern-chaser
"Who cares, wins"
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gone again Posted Oct 30, 2002
After some reflection, I have deleted this statement. The more I thought about it, the less sure I became that I knew what I was trying to say.
I have fixed the 'typo'.
Pattern-chaser
"Who cares, wins"
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gone again Posted Dec 5, 2002
I've made some minor changes to clarify the intended meaning(s). I think this entry is complete. Do you think differently? Then please comment here; thanks.
Pattern-chaser
"Who cares, wins"
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
a girl called Ben Posted Dec 31, 2002
I had not noticed that this one was finished and in WW. My apologies Pattern-Chaser. I will update the project page accordingly.
This is just to let y'all know what you probably all know already, that the closing date for the project is now the 31st Jan. I want to get it out of the hallowed halls of the University, and into its week of glory on the Front Page as soon as possible.
All the best, and a Happy New Year
Ben
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Gone again Posted Jan 2, 2003
Looking forward to what happens next ... whatever that is?
Pattern-chaser
"Who cares, wins"
P.S. What "Small but Vanishing Minority" is this, then? Sane, rational and reasonable people?
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
a girl called Ben Posted Jan 15, 2003
No! We are all unreasonably nutty.
I like this entry v much, and I think it makes a good introduction to the project as a whole. I see it leading on to GTB's Critique A546022.
What do the rest of you think?
B
A855371 - Musings on a theme of belief
Smij - Formerly Jimster Posted Dec 15, 2003
Just posting here as the entry's now in the Edited Guide...
... and so I can bump it to the top of the WW forum so I can find it 
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