Expert: Ralph Salier - 6/26/2007

Question
QUESTION: Good Evening Ralph Salier,

Got the following question about culture -
It is obvious that different cultures have different beliefs.
I was wondering where do initial beliefs come from?

Is there an absolute way to judge cultures as to deciding which is right or wrong or it is precisely a matter of belief?
Thank you
Regards,
Sunil Mahabir
Pembroke Pines, Fl. 33084

ANSWER: Hi Sunil Mahabir,

Belief systems are very ancient and as you note, different in every culture.  As humans spread out over the world and became isolated from each other, they began to formulate belief structures which were carried forward by word of mouth over many generations.  Today, many of  these beliefs are still closely held by these cultures.  Some beliefs, such as Christianity and Islam feel that it is important to spread their religious beliefs to those who they view as "non-believers".  Unfortunately many cultures have lost their old beliefs and in some ways this has destroyed their cultureal identity.  

Within our selves, our beliefs arise from our parents and in very early childhood when we are taught the fundamentals of our belief system as well as what the dominant culture views as "right and wrong".  As long as we continue to live in "our own cultural" venue, these conditions tend to remain the same, though they may evolve over time, so do we.  This generally does not occur fast in traditional societies which tend to be much more formal such as the tribal cultures of the Middle East, Africa and the Americas.  It is only in mixed cultures such as the USA, Brazil and Malyasia where these more traditional moral basics are changed due to the admixture of so many cultures.  This does not make it right or wrong, just different.  In many ways it is experimental and rides on a pendulum going from very formal  to informal both in religious belief and social conditions.  

So, for your second question, is there a way to "judge" cultures?, NO there is not a single right or wrong. The people make this decision and as things change, they adapt  to meet these changes, the culture evloves.  It is a highly flexible software program designed to help the society meet the every day needs of the individuals.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for the insight. I was wondering what is the mechanism in nature or what causes one man to believe that he is correct or right or that his beliefs are better than another when he does not really know. From an agnostic point of view we really dont know. However history has shown how what we believe today is not what we believe tomorrow and our point of view always changes. Is there an an absolute belief system - a way of looking at things that in a higher truth. How do we know which belief system is correct?
ANSWER: Hi Sunil,

Belief systems are highly complex constructs humans have developed to explain the mysteries which lay at the root of man's curiosity. At one point in time the heavens were a deep mystery, the stars and planets all move, the sun disappears, the moon changes shape. These were all mysteries and "had to be shaped by the 'hand of G-D'".  We now know of course that these celestial events are easy to explain.  So as science changes our knowledge base, our belief systems adapt and seek out those mysteries not yet explained.  Or more sadly, these scientific explanations are rejected and the old beliefs are retained.  

Each culture has evolved in its own way with its own mysteries. Thus there is no "better or worse" system.  As you point out we don't know if there is a G-D, the ultimate mystery. So, what is "correct"? and to whom? The higher truth is  that we don't know, we don't know why we are here, we don't know if there is a "higher being", we don't know what is "right or wrong" per say.

We do know that for humans to live together, we need rules.  The 10 commandments of the Old Testament act as such a list of rules.  The code of Hammaribi is again a list of rules.  Each culture has such a list and what is truely remarkable is that they are all very similar.  

1) don't steal
2) don't harm members of your own clan (nation....)
3) don't take another man's mate (or visa versa)
4) respect other peoples property
5) speak truthfully based on what you saw (don't bear false witness)
6) if others are hungry, share what little you have
7) don't turn others away in times of need (help each other)
8) respect the old ones, their knowledge will save us.
There are others as well but these are the basics.  These are true across all cultures.

One other is "respect that which created us and every thing around us".   

So, what is my belief system?  I acknowledge that there may be a life force, perhaps something "higher". But not "G-D" per say. As an Anthropologist is see a value in having a belief system.  How it is structured, or even if it isn't, it is the "having it" that is important.  We live with such a level of curiosity, a love of the mystery,  that it is what drives us to explore, learn, seek out information, seek an understanding. As you have done.  "learning" can be seen as a belief system in and of itself. I learn every day and it brings me joy, sadness, hope and amazement.

Does this help in your search?

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your answer. It is by far one of the most interesting answers and quite insightful.
I really do appreciate it.
After reading the answer I was wondering:
1. Why is the human condition primarily characterized by ignorance and why are humans limited intelligence beings?
2. Even though there is no better or worse, i acknowledge that there is a right and a wrong and that right is that which conforms with reality. Since according to Einstein reality may be an illusion and what is believed today as correct may be falisied and categorized as wrong tomorrow - how can we know move closer to absolute truth and that which is correct or right?
Thank you !!!

Regards,
Sunil Mahabir
Pembroke Pines,
Fl. 33084


ANSWER: Hi Sunil,

1) I'm not sure  that I would characterize humans as having "limited intelligence". Nor would I say that we are ignorant.  Our knowledge base arises from our environment and we learn what we need to, to survive, live and grow. We don't know what our intellectual capacity really is. We are nolonger hunter-gatherers depending on our wits to stay alive. (may be we are but don't know it). I believe that we have learned a tremendous amount about who we are, what we are, where we are (in the universe and on Earth), etc... so, it is not a limitation to our intelect.  On the other hand ignorance does seem to run rampent. But this is due to poor education or lack of education or not recognizing the subject mater as being "important".  This is of course a limitation to our intelect but we think that we can only cram so much into our brains before we "explode".  This is of course nonsense but to some, (the more the less intellectual among us believe this to be true) they fear knowledge.  

As for #2, there are two forms of reality. That which we can feel, touch, smell, hear and see eg, the physical world around us and second is the mathematical world.  Eintein's world was mathematical in every way.  Yet, even in his own words, he once said that the "war after the third world war will be fought with rocks" acknowledges the reality of this world, the human penchant to fight with each other and that what we do to ourselves we do to the Earth too.

What is right is for us to live togehter, help each other and live in peace.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for following up.
In terms of the other species of life on earth, humans possess far superior intellect and reasoning. However my basis for stating that humans are somewhat limited are based on the following:
1. As humans we are essentially a tick of a second on the clock of eternity - in our current condition we are unaware of what we were or where we were before birth and consequently the same with death. Thus to some degree we are also ignorant.
2. Another reason we are limited is because it seems that our perceptions are a fraction of something greater. I feel that each human including myself is like a grain of sand on a beach and as a grain of sand we only perceive a fraction of all that there is. Thus our self awareness and perception and intellect is only a fraction of something greater.
3. I believe that if humans were unlimited we would not be slaves to the conditions of time and space- as humans we lack mastery over time and space. Accidents, natural disasters, etc... and our inability to master these conditions demonstrate that there is something greater and that we are not of the highest intelligence in the universe.
Each of the species are concerned with finding rationales and avenues to portray their greatness, egoistic endeavors and highlight their greatness as well as cover their flaws.
As a human i am one of those who realize my limitations as a human and understand that i am an insignificant fraction of all that there is. I am fully aware of my limitations as as a human and know intuitively that there are greater things in the universe, that i lack the ability to comprehend.  

Answer
Hi Sunil,

From a philosophical perspective, and a rather humano-centric perspective, our fellow species who reside on our little blue-green planet probably care less about any philosophical "higher thought" we humans practice.  They are in survival mode and don't care one whit about higher beings or the "after life" these are human constructs. Perhaps the dolphins give it some thought but since we are unable to speak dolphin, we won't know.

And yes, we are but an evolutionary tick of the clock but we still know more then our early ancestors ("modern man"). We have learned a lot including that we don't know every thing nor will we ever.  Does this make us ignorant? It is true that our perception is a limiting factor but so is data overload, this does not make us ignorant but rather limited in the scope of what can be absorbed.

I think that fundamentally we all recognize that we are but a tiny part of something so enormous that we don't even try to comprehend it - thus a belief in G-D or other belief system.  

When we are children, all things are possible. We are at this point in our lives ( as children) unlimited and don't know what can and can't be done. It is those among us who are able to "hold on to this" that invent, realize, conceptualize, discover and see what we haven't seen before. They help us to expand our universe.  

As I stated before, it is our insatiable curiostiy which drives us to discover and even as small and insignificant as we may be, what an adventure we are all on as we learn more about ourselves, our world and the universe. Ignorance is what we suffered during the dark ages when though was forbidden and exploration was limited. We may still be suffering from this but our path has been set and I hope that we will never go the other way.