Words About The Word: Proof

Proof & Faith Form a Dynamic Dyad of Potential.
Some people will claim that the problem with religion is that it relies too much on faith and not enough on scientific facts and principles. However, the opposite can be claimed about science, because scientists usually demand conclusive proof and evidence before they will believe in anything. So which view is "the right view"? Do we believe just for the sake of having something to believe in, or do we stick our feet (heads?) firmly in the sand, and refuse to believe in anything unless some other person convinces us with facts? The most important fact to recognize about these two stances is that they are diametrically opposed to one another, not unlike the numbers 0 and 1. The concept of "total proof" would seem to lie at one endpoint on a line, while the concept of "total faith" would lie at the opposite extreme.

PROOF>-----------------(o)-----------------<FAITH
0>---------------------(x)-------------<1

Qabalah and TOL teach us that any two diametrically opposite concepts are actually unreachable extremes. We exist at some point in between the two extremes, as represented by the bracketed "x" and "o" shown above. However, it is impossible to actually reach one endpoint or the other. We may approach the extremes, but we are never "all the way there". For in a world of nothing but proof, there is no room for faith, and vice-versa. We could never move forward if we insisted that all things be proven to us, for we would spend all our time on the proof itself and achieve no benefit from the belief. Furthermore, if we were to accept anything and everything totally on faith, our probability for error becomes high because we would operate on beliefs that have no substantiation in physical reality. The key to life, as with all dyads of potential, is to maintain an appropriate balance between the two extremes.

As we will come to find in the paragraphs that follow, the concepts of Proof and Faith define a continuum from one extreme to the other. Proof needs the opposing concept of faith to provide a springboard, while faith requires some level of proof to encourage unmitigated belief. We will come to see how all formal proofs rely on a single cornerstone of faith. Alternately, whenever someone professes his or her "unconditional faith" in something, we can usually identify key events in that person's history that led to their acceptance of the stated belief. These events represent a form of proof that provide a stable foundation for this person's faith in the stated belief. We begin by examining how formal proofs derive their power from a fragment of faith.

Bootstrap Assumptions: Where All Formal Proofs Begin.
We must come to an understanding that proof, as defined by scientists, is a relative term. The reason can be traced to the strict logical rules used by mathematicians who develop formal proofs. Any formal proof must always begin with a statement of the given, or what some refer to as a bootstrap assumption. This stated assumption represents an agreement between the person writing the proof, and the person reading the proof. Bootstrap assumptions often state that some quantity, quality, or condition is true. The proof will then use the bootstrap assumption as a springboard for making a case that some other statement is true. As an example:

Upon reading these statements we could immediately ask for a proof that the sun produces heat or we could simply accept it as true. The Free Will of the person considering the proof will determine whether or not any further proof is required. This example illustrates how formal proofs can be linked to one another. It is reasonable to imagine that we could find, or derive, a detailed proof that the sun does, indeed, produce heat. We could also just measure the heat for ourselves to satisfy our need for "proof". But the underlying assumption (if the proof is to make it's case) is that we will accept the bootstrap assumption as true, either with or without proof.

Now that we have seen how the bootstrap assumption can have problems of its own with respect to verifying its truthfulness, let's look at a special class of bootstrap assumptions. We can form bootstrap assumptions that actually require an act of faith in order to avoid both contradiction and an inescapable logic trap!

Bootstrap Assumptions Which Can Never be Proven.
It is a well-known fact that any formalized system (sometimes referred to as a "closed system") possesses the ability to generate contradictory statements. The system we call language can generate its own systemic contradictions, as we see in the following attempt at a proof.

We are stopped dead in our logical tracks once we read the given bootstrap assumption. Once I make the statement that "everything I tell you is false", how are you supposed to interpret the veracity (truth) of the statement itself? Forget about what I am trying to prove in the "proposed" statement, because you must first deal with whether you can believe the "given" statement or not. If you take at face value that everything I tell you is false, then you are immediately contradicting the premise of the "given" because you are actually believing that what I am telling you is true, when I just told you that everything I tell you is false! We have fallen into an endless loop of logic, for no matter which POV we adopt with respect to the bootstrap assumption, we run into problems. The given bootstrap assumption is contradictory to itself, and therefore it can never be verified as true. This contradiction results in giving us no way to continue (logically) with the substance of the proof. If we demand further proof, we are stuck, and can go no further.

If the given bootstrap assumption leaves us caught in a circular, unending loop of logic, how can we ever break free? What sort of mathematical or logical vehicle can we use to nullify (destroy) the contradiction? Some may claim that we simply need more information in the "given" to clear up any problem with contradiction. More information might help us understand the contradiction, but the point is that "everything I tell you is false" is a completely viable statement. It can stand on its own and you know what it means. It would not be classified as a nonsensical sentence (as would "everything I tell you is purple"). Thus, while more information may help us understand the nature of the statement, it doesn't say anything about its veracity. But to satisfy the pundits, let's add some more information and see what happens...

GIVEN: Everything I tell you, with the exception of this statement, is False.
PROPOSED: The statement given above is True.

OK, so more information did not help us escape the circular logic of contradiction inherent in "everything I tell you is false." How DO we escape this loop? The answer is that there is no mathematical or logical vehicle we could use to escape this loop. There is only one thing that will get us out of this rut, and mathematics and logic have not yet seen fit (or are only now working) to incorporate it in their philosophies. We need an act of FAITH to break us out of the loop of contradiction. In other words, since the given assumption can never be proven as true, we need to look beyond the mathematical construct of proof, and have faith that the underlying intent (whatever it may be) is true. We need to jump outside the loop of contradiction. You get beyond the contradiction by simply accepting the statement as true and moving on to any further statements to see if you can learn more. By accepting the intent of the statement as true, without the ability to independently verify its veracity, you have performed an act of complete and utter FAITH.

We meet with much contradiction in our lives, and for some this contradiction results in frustration, and sometimes goes as far as hate. But a contradiction is a powerful sign from which we can learn every time we encounter it. We have shown in the above example that contradiction is circular. It is another of Nature's built-in endless cycles. Since contradiction is a circular loop, it can be said to be Of Zero. Perhaps examining contradictions in our lives could reveal some of the "secrets" of Zero, the creative force. You can learn how to make contradiction work for you by studying the TOL with us.

Our solution of using FAITH to escape the circular logic of contradiction proved to work well in the situation we were given. However, this does not mean FAITH is the solution to every problem. Since FAITH is the opposite of PROOF, there will come times when PROOF is required over FAITH.....as we will now begin to explore....

Conviction of Belief is the Cornerstone of Faith.
Just as all formal proofs have a common basis in the formation of the bootstrap assumption, all the principles of faith also have a common basis. The bootstrap of faith is the level of conviction with which a person embraces their beliefs. Let's illustrate this with a question which you should ask yourself, whether you believe in extraterrestrial beings, or not!

For that matter, go ahead and consider the more general question:

Some may suggest that tactics such as brainwashing might be able to achieve such results; however, we would think that any respectable religion would denounce such activities. Even if they didn't, we do not consider acts that rob a person of their Free Will to be within the realm of viable answers to this hypothetical question. Furthermore, both history and fables tell us of individuals with such strong characters, with such deep conviction, with such undying faith, that they could and did resist such attempts at physical mind control. People with this level of spiritual conviction were often canonized as saints by the Catholic Church for enduring the same levels of torture (or worse) as Jesus Christ.

The point we are trying to make is that anyone who believes in something with a high degree of conviction is in a different state of reality than someone who only mildly believes. Someone who is, perhaps, waiting on more evidence (proof) is operating from a different POV than those of solid conviction. An example of such conviction is demonstrated in one of the sects of Judaism: The Hasidic sect. This group of the Hebrew people is known for the level of conviction of their belief in Yahweh, as He is described in their Holy Scriptures. The conviction of their belief fixes their state of reality. From their POV, their beliefs are truths, and so they represent their reality.

But we do not even need to discuss religion when we discuss conviction of belief. The world of sports and sports psychology provides plenty of examples of how athletes change their reality (a sporting outcome) through a change in beliefs, a change in conviction of beliefs, or both. This is usually true in any situation where human beings find themselves "blocked" from attaining their goals. We may be doing "all the right magic" in the physical world, but if our internalized thinking about the external world (our beliefs about reality) are not aligned with our goal, then our mind will stop us from reaching our goal long before our body ever gets the chance! Evaluating and adjusting our beliefs and convictions is some of the most valuable material in the Tree-O-Life Training Tree curriculum.

Today's Beliefs Can Become Tomorrow's Fable.
There is an opposite side to everything, and now I would like to discuss the opposite concept to that of changing your beliefs to fit your goals. Focusing on our goals is a future-focus. But we must also learn from the past in how we shape our beliefs. So let's see how much controversy and/or discussion I can generate with the following statement:

When new data comes in on any particular subject, we must consider it. We cannot "hide" data from people simply because the data may not confirm our current beliefs! Hiding data that illustrates the way the universe really works does not change anyone's reality. It only deprives people of information that can help them figure out their own life paths. As with all of my writings, let me demonstrate with an example:

The Copernican Revolution: A major shift in human belief was required in order to keep our beliefs in line with our observations of our universe. Nicolas Copernicus was the first to tell us of the data he had collected which told us that the Sun is the center of our solar system. Unfortunately, this meant having to point out that Aristotle and Ptolemy were mistaken when they said the Earth was the center of the universe.

The Response of Organized Religion: At first, the Catholic Church attempted to "hide the data". Then they denied the data. Then they decried the interpreters and presenters of the data. Finally, they convicted the scientists for discovering the truth. Galileo eventually got his apology (and proved his point) only a decade or so ago when the Catholic Church formally rescinded all their criticism of him. The point to focus on: Did ANY of this nonsense played-out over the last several hundred years or so CHANGE the data, or the situation that the data describes?

The Effect on Human Evolution: Admittedly, this is a bit difficult to define with any degree of certainty, for we live with the past that has come before us, and cannot change that. However, we can compare this situation to what we know happens today when scientific data is ignored. I will comment on my personal area of expertise, which is commercial aircraft design. If data regarding an unknown aircraft failure mode, or an improper design, comes to light, and that data is ignored or suppressed, it is clearly not aiding the process of getting the system fixed! Actually, this would not only delay the system being fixed on the affected aircraft, but it would also severely delay our progress in understanding the failure mode itself. By delaying progress on understanding the true nature of the failure, we delay finding out how it may affect other things in our world. Put simply, ignoring or suppressing new data in an effort to avoid changes in our beliefs does nothing but prevent us from evolving our universal knowledge. Whether we are talking about airplanes in the 20th century or models of the universe in the 15th century, the effect on human development is the same. It slows us down from adopting beliefs that are consistent with our universe.

Round Vs. Flat Earth: The student may wish to research & examine the circumstances which surrounded how society came to shift its belief from a flat to a round earth. Investigate the people who were wrongly accused of heresy and immoral behavior. Find areas where the advance of science (and our faith) was hindered. Take a long, hard look at how BLIND FAITH, and ignorant or uninformed conviction of belief, can fail to serve mankind's evolutionary goals.

The two examples from history presented above are to illustrate where a total reliance on faith breaks down. Just as contradiction was the Achilles Heel of the formal proof, so are the results of scientific investigation the thorn in the side of preachers of "total faith." My own personal belief is that we must always revisit our human belief systems whenever new data reveals contradictions with our current beliefs. We are at such a place in history right now with respect to our establishments of both Science and Religion. We can no longer afford to ignore the mounting data that tells us these disciplines are actually one-and-the-same! A balance of PROOF and FAITH must be fashioned in order to further the goals of both of these schools of thought.