Perceptions vis-a-vis Beliefs: A Rejoinder

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 23 July 2024 Arguing for The Sake of Argument Invariably Leads to Resentment Anon While I admire FP's step by step analysis with a view to debunking my concept of beliefs versus no beliefs, I must say that s/he too has made the same mistake of equating perceptions with beliefs. Please read my comment on Mr Siddiqi's comment. I've clearly stated that perceptions often segue into beliefs. A belief is a hardened perception; harder than granite. All humans have perceptions. We cannot exist without them (perceptions). But 'to perceive' and 'to believe' are two different and discrete things. What you perceive is not always what you believe. Rather than saying, it's impossible not to have any belief, the logical statement should be, it's impossible not to have any perception. Perception is a powerful force that can shape our beliefs and opinions. We tend to believe what we see, and we may be more likely to trust people or situations that appear familiar or consistent with our expectations. This can be both a positive and negative thing. On one hand, it can help us make quick and accurate judgments, but on the other hand, it can lead us to make assumptions that are not based on reality. In the field of philosophy and phenomenological research, perception precedes belief/opinion. British sociologist Anthony D Smith says, perception is related to belief and although we do not necessarily "believe in the existence of the objects we perceive, nor that they actually have their ostensible characteristics […] the relation between perception and belief is more than merely contingent." What you perceive to be true is your belief. If you don't believe in anything to be true and remain insouciant, it doesn't make you a sceptic or non-believer. Nor is your insouciance or indifference any kind of a belief. It's a (clean and clear) state of mind. Humans are too fond of nomenclature and psychological grouping, derogatorily known as ghettoisation. Since most of us are believers (of course, in varying degrees), we tend to believe that those handful of people having no beliefs must have a belief! Ve Log Akele Kyon Rah Jaaein (Why should those people remain intellectually alone and aloof)? Always remember, mass mediocrity cannot tolerate, even envisage, eclecticism and a coterie of evolved humans. This is called Cathartic Pulling, "Dil Bahal Toh Jayega Iss Khyal Se / Haal Mil Gaya Tumhara Apne Haal Se" Think over the Buddha's sagacious sutra in Pali, "Disham Na Vaarit Prakram" (Perceive; do not believe) because to believe is to be ghettoised. You may say, many beliefs have been useful to mankind. I'm afraid, those aren't beliefs. Those are spirits of mankind; zeitgeist in German. Contrary to the general tenor, a person without beliefs is not a nihilist or anarchist. He's a Drashta (spectator without likes and dislikes). To have perceptions is to be intellectually alive, active and agile: Cartesian Cogito, ergo sum. To have even one belief is a death knell for cerebral ascension. Beliefs block all roads. Don't let your perceptions descend, deepen and degenerate into beliefs for, beliefs are concretization of perceptions and distortion of realities. An individual without any belief is always an anathema to those who live with beliefs and love to wallow in them. ----- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/spiritual-meditations/perceptions-beliefs-rejoinder/d/132765 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism