Can you ever accept what cannot be proven?
by 
Highlander is semi-retired from AB
ANSWERS: 15
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You can accept it but, in my opinion, not have true faith in it. I can accept that matter is made up of lots of infinitismally small strings of energy (String Theory) because the most intelligent people in the world agree that that is the most probable explanation for the wonder that is the universe. We can never prove that it is so because we can never 'see' anyhting that small, so there will always be doubt.
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Absolutely. There are many things that lack absolute proof but have plenty of evidence to back or indicate their existence. There are even more things that have partial evidence, but, again, no proof. All our old friends are there - you know, the things that cause all sorts of questions, conversations, discussions and rows on AB. Religion, Faith, UFO's, Ghosts, Spirits, ESP, Spiritualism, the list goes on and on and on. I'll accept the possibility that many of these things may be aspects of life we simply need to know more about to understand or appreciate better, or indeed, proove. Proof is not an absolute necessity to life. Indeed, it needs to be balanced by a healthy acceptance of the possible. If we hadn't had this trait as a species, we'd still be poking sticks in ant and termite nests to get lunch. Relying on proof absolutely, to the exclusion of what may be possible, is to severely limit our own potential.
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Yes. You do everyday. Physics is a good example, none of physics is "proven" its only verified. The theories that make up physics and the part of the world that depends on physics can only ever be verified. By that I mean that you've tested the theory and it still stands up. This theory is then used till something disproves it. A good example is light. Scientists a long time ago used to think it was a particle, until it was proven that it was a "wave" by shining it through a small gap and it diffracted. This has since been modified as light has been shown to be a wave but also have particle like behaviour under certain conditions (quantum mechanics). So this shows how that you can never prove anything only adapt it when something shows that the current theory no longer works. So really everyday you accept things that cannot be proven on a physical level (without going religious or paranormal), otherwise you wouldn't use a car, a plane or even a bicycle as this all depends on physics that can't be proven!
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"The absence of proof is not the same as proof of absence." ... apply that to : God. Intelligent Aliens. Magic. ... etc.
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I can only accept what gives me strong belief. I can't accept something on blind faith. And no one should.
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Yes. I accept that I am loved in spite of my often feeling unworthy of that love, and the absolute immpossibility of proving that this love for me is real. I hope that those I love are able to accept my love for them as real.
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Yes I can accept what is not proven because I know in my heart that it is there.
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Not unless I've seen it with my own eyes.
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Life without a little mystery would be too dull for me.
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Maybe, but not often.
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Sure. I accept the fact that if I drive my car off a cliff I will surely die....but don't expect me to prove it to you!
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love and friendship may not be able to be "proven" but i believe in it.
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Yep. That's the very definition of "faith".
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Many, many, many times. You get the opportunity so many times during a life.
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Sure, I do all the time. I can't prove my mom loves me but I know she does.
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