When is it appropriate to be Agnostic about an Idea?

[UpperMaster]

As we already know, every decision in life is based on incomplete information. In order to make decisions and orient yourself appropriately, it seems crucial to form solid opinions about the world.  I realise that sometimes in my life I don't form opinions about certain things and remain agnostic out of fear, probably because I don't want to be wrong. It is difficult for me to know when I have enough information to commit to an idea. 

When is it appropriate to be agnostic and when is it not?

How do I know if I am agnostic out of fear, or because I genuinely don't have enough information?

 

Your response is kindly appreciated.

 

 

 

 

[Basman]

I find that I lack confidence in my knowledge of something if I haven't contemplated/researched the topic enough, at least to degree to feel like I know what I'm talking about.

It is good thing to not over-commit to ideas you are not certain off by the way. There are already enough people confidently stupid.

[UpperMaster]

9 hours ago, Basman said:

It is good thing to not over-commit to ideas you are not certain off by the way.

Yea see I agreed with that until recently, because not committing to an idea means you're still agnostic in some level. I feel like you have to commit to some ideas, and not doing so is just a sign that your afraid of being wrong and having to change your ideas later.

For example, spiritual teachers believe in non-duality. I don't think it's right to say that they don't have enough experience or contemplation to commit to that claim. But maybe there's a possibility above non-duality that they're missing out on. They can never know until they garner more experience. But to remain agnostic even after experiencing non-duality, to me seems like your just afraid of having to change your beliefs after.

 

Thanks for your response, I hope I articulated my point correctly.

[LastThursday]

Most of the time I don't have all the information about anything. There's always more to know. So it's not a case of being wrong, it's a case of not knowing the whole truth.

If you're confident in your knowledge then it isn't an opinion, it's a fact. Learning to distinguish between knowing something and guessing about something (opinion) is what's needed. An opinion is either a guess or an ideal or the way you would like things to be and isn't necessarily fact.

You can have direct knowledge of things, for example you know that the sun rises every day - there is no room for opinion there, it's a fact. Or, in most cases you have second hand knowledge given to you by others. In that case you need to have prior knowledge in order to discern whether you're being told the truth or not, otherwise you're taking it on faith. Most people take second hand knowledge on faith and speak as though it's true, even if it isn't. Again that isn't opinion, just bad knowledge.

The best way to go about things, is to accept everything until you work out otherwise. Then you build up enough knowledge over time to start rejecting certain ideas. And if you're not sure about something then say so: "In my opinion.." or "I'm not sure about this but...". And don't worry so much about being wrong, it's going to happen.

[Basman]

5 hours ago, UpperMaster said:

Yea see I agreed with that until recently, because not committing to an idea means you're still agnostic in some level. I feel like you have to commit to some ideas, and not doing so is just a sign that your afraid of being wrong and having to change your ideas later.

For example, spiritual teachers believe in non-duality. I don't think it's right to say that they don't have enough experience or contemplation to commit to that claim. But maybe there's a possibility above non-duality that they're missing out on. They can never know until they garner more experience. But to remain agnostic even after experiencing non-duality, to me seems like your just afraid of having to change your beliefs after.

 

Thanks for your response, I hope I articulated my point correctly.

Sometimes you have to be wrong to learn. Confident stupidity is frustrating because they tend to double-down instead of considering new info in earnest.

Don't be afraid of being wrong and just try bouncing certain ideas around.

Edited August 15 by Basman