I think I've expressed myself a bit clumsily here, because by valid I don't mean whether a Wiccan spell can be proved or disproved. Much like I cannot disprove miracles, although I don't believe in them. (1/n)
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But validity is not simply a matter of truth or falsehood, especially because beliefs cannot be measured that way. It is valid to believe such-&-such a thing, also in politics or social issues.
I'm quite left-leaning, but I cannot prove that my view of the world is true, for instance.
So we need to use the term validity a bit carefully, depending on the issue. Some things are valid because they are founded on good practices, other things are valid because the laws of physics confirm them. But these forms of validity don't overlap. (3/3)
I disagree on a couple points. Beliefs can be measured as true or false. If someone believes the world is flat, there is ample evidence that can demonstrate it is not.
Other things can be measured by agreeing on a goal and measuring belief against it.
Metaphysical beliefs can be tested with logically sound and valid arguments and society can be organized that way if everyone agrees on common goals. For a fast and loose example, there is a thought experiment where you create a society not knowing your role in it. You can test things against your…
…goals. If we both agree we should pursue human wellbeing, and you believe that the death penalty should exist, and we don’t have a perfect system to determine who should be on death row, then that belief isn’t “valid” when compared to the goal of wellbeing.
This is absolutely true, but then the belief in the death penalty is not disproved as false, it is only proved to be incommensurable with the wider system. And in this sense, I absolutely agree: that belief is not valid when put into such a framework.
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I'm quite left-leaning, but I cannot prove that my view of the world is true, for instance.
Other things can be measured by agreeing on a goal and measuring belief against it.
However, metaphysical beliefs - whether it has to do with religion or the best way to organise a society - cannot be proved in the same way.
(Signing off now, as I'm nearing my destination - will pick up this thread soon.)