From: hampday@earthlink.net
Date: Wed Apr 13 2005 - 01:47:52 BST
Hello Max:
... and thanks for your clarification of the "testing" reference. Shall we
call it "induction from the observed data" then, or simply "extrapolation"
which you suggest, although that calls into play an intuitive faculty that
seems to refute my definition of "empirical". (I'll check with my
biochemist friend to see if he has any suggestions.)
Now as to your "fatal mistake" scenario . . .
Interestingly, your question concerns only the possible differences among
the "faiths" cited. I would have asked a different question -- What, then,
is the final state of my belief? or How does my action affect my chances for
psychic continuity?, for example. Given the circumstances you've described,
I think such questions would have far more significance than the particular
"brand of faith" you've brought to them.
Oviously, you've made what Pirsig would call a "low-Quality" decision, and
now wish to reverse it. You don't disclose your reason, although it could
affect the "faiths" you've referred to.
Since faith is always part of a belief system, what you believe about the
pills and the regurgitation is more properly defined as expectations based
on empirical [i.e., historical] knowledge.
Your hope (faith?) that the police will get there in time is only a gamble
based on odds that are beyond your control.
So, the only valid "faith" in this first-person melodrama is expressed by
your statement: "I hope that God will spare me." And it sounds to me as if
your faith in God's mercy is the weakest of the four beliefs. Which might
say something about your decision to commit suicide in the first place.
Incidentally, if I were a religious person, I would be hard put to assess
this incident as a "conversion" on your part -- unless you want to call a
return to sanity a conversion.
I'd be interested to see how Sam would evaluate this.
Have I answered your question, Max?
Essentially yours,
Ham
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