THE FOUNDATIONS OF BELIEF

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22304, 19 January 1938, Page 6

THE FOUNDATIONS OF BELIEF

TO THE EDITOR Of THE TRESS. Sir, —I have often thought that my own views, and those of some others as to what can and cannot be believed differ considerably. But while, of course, I can only speak for myself, yet I think my views would coincide in these matters with those of most scientific men. And first let me say that I would never be so dogmatic as to say any alleged occurrence was Impossible unless on examination it was found to contradict one of the wellknown and thoroughly established laws of science or of life, and even then —if the evidence in its favour was very strong—such a conclusion would be dangerous. But that is just the point; it is all a question of evidence. Did the event occur? Who said it occurred? What did they base their statement on? Did they see it happen? These are the questions which must be answered, and others like them. Authority—even the authority of a great organisation —counts for nothing in the absence of convincing evidence which can be examined by everyone at the back of it. Tradition without evidence to back it is as a tinkling cymbal, and the widespread nature of belief in an alleged fact, is nothing. How many people, for instance, believed in a flat earth and also in the oft-repeated statement that the earth was the centre of the universe. At one time everybody did, and it was not until one or two men began to think, and to examine the evidence on which these most widespread beliefs were founded that they began to question them. And the evidence brought forward in favour of an event happening must be examined critically in the light of modern knowledge, and also—and this to me is an important point—taking into consideration the rarity or otherwise of the alleged event. For instance, it might not take much evidence to establish the fact that Mr Jones had crossed a street, as he, no doubt, often does that. It would take a great deal more evidence to establish the fact that a boy; of four years old had been to the top of Mount Cook on his own feet. At first sight such an act might be deemed impossible, but if it were supported by the evidence of many witnesses whose character was unimpeachable, who stated that they had watched every yard of the journey, it would have to be believed. But not without that evidence. This letter bears upon information and letters which have been and are appearing jn your columns, and into which I do not want more directly to enter. My own views in these matters should be clear to anyone who is interested, who cares to read between the lines. But one thing at any rate which has been impressed upon me during my life by everything that I have learned is that this world and what is behind it are vastly more wpnderful than we have any conception of, and more wonderful too than people thought them to be 50 or 500 or 5000 years ago.—Yours, etc., C. COLERIDGE FARR. January 18, 1938.