To Believe or Not to Believe

Abstract

“To Believe or Not to Believe” presents some final thoughts about a possible link between science and spirituality. After showing that it is possible to be a scientist and still have spiritual beliefs, this chapter asks the question of whether it makes any difference if one has spiritual beliefs or not. To answer that question, the author proposes the analogy of a color-blind person, explaining that sometimes people need to believe in hypothetical concepts in order to understand how these concepts may affect their levels of happiness and chance for success. The chapter concludes with the claim that everybody should seize the opportunity to explore their mystical thoughts.

Keywords: Summary of the book, spiritual beliefs, mystical thoughts, invisible elements, imaginary entities, delusion, reasonable doubt, life after death, the end of the world, prayers, supernatural power, higher consciousness, faith, coincidences, skepticism, happiness and success, absolute knowledge, religious texts, religious intolerance, dogmas.