If you're going to be unreligious, it's likely going to be due to reflecting on it and finding some things that are hard to believe.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that skepticism towards religion often arises from deep reflection and rational questioning.
Daniel Kahneman highlights that a shift away from religious belief typically stems from a critical examination of religious tenets, leading individuals to grapple with elements of faith that may seem implausible. This introspection can be a significant step in understanding personal beliefs and aligning them with oneβs rationality and experiences.
In practice
During a debate on belief systems, I referenced Kahneman's quote to emphasize the importance of critical thinking.
We think, each of us, that we're much more rational than we are. And we think that we make our decisions because we have good reasons to make them. Even when it's the other way around. We believe in the reasons, because we've already made the decision.
The average investor's return is significantly lower than market indices due primarily to market timing.
Banks are run by executives, and executives protect themselves, and that does not always mean that banks are going to behave rationally.
Laziness is built deep into our nature.
Through some combination of culture and biology, our minds are intuitively receptive to religion.
You are more likely to learn something by finding surprises in your own behavior than by hearing surprising facts about people in general.
The ancients were afraid that if they went to the end of the earth they would fall off and be consumed by dragons. But once we understand that Christianity is true to what is there, true to the ultimate environment - the infinite, personal God who is really there - then our minds are freed. We can pursue any question and can be sure that we will not fall off the end of the earth.
Virtue does not come from wealth, but wealth, and every other good thing which men have comes from virtue.
I have a very simple philosophy. One has to separate the abilities from the disabilities. The fact I cannot walk, that I need crutches or a scooter or whatever it is, has nothing to do with my playing the violin.
Countries that perceive themselves to be vulnerable can be expected to try to redress that vulnerability - and in some cases, they will pursue clandestine weapons programs.
Strange now to think of you, gone without corsets & eyes, while I walk on the sunny pavement of Greenwich Village. downtown Manhattan, clear winter noon, and I've been up all night, talking, talking, reading the Kaddish aloud, listening to Ray Charles blues shout blind on the phonograph
The world's like a ride in a fairground & when you choose to go on it you think it's real, that's how powerful our minds are
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