Why False Beliefs Feel True
By comparing the delusions of Don Quixote with the spiritual vision of St. Francis of Assisi, the article explores how human beliefs act as lenses that shape our perception of real…
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Tomichan Matheikal's blog
57 articles · Page 3 of 5
Doubt vs Faith
Using the characters of *The Brothers Karamazov* as archetypes, the article explores the fundamental tension between the intellectual demand for truth and the human need for existe…
Stories and Faith
While the capacity for belief is innate, the specific content of our beliefs is primarily acquired through stories that provide meaning and emotional resonance. By utilizing "narra…
Believing and Knowing
The article distinguishes between belief, which is driven by a need for emotional security and meaning, and knowledge, which relies on evidence and justification. It argues that wh…
Belief as a Survival Mechanism
Belief is an evolutionary survival mechanism that allows humans to make rapid decisions under uncertainty, yet these same cognitive processes can also foster denial, superstition, …
We are Born to Believe
Belief is a fundamental human capacity that precedes reason, serving as the essential foundation for survival and the functioning of daily life. While Sigmund Freud viewed religiou…
Is Jesus God?
The author, an atheist with spiritual interests, proposes a unique perspective that Jesus "became" God by overcoming human struggles through compassion and moral excellence. He arg…
Athirappilly: Expectation vs Reality
Comparing a recent visit to Athirappilly waterfall with memories from 1981 and 1995, the author laments the site's dramatic environmental decline. The once-pristine landscape has b…
We are Star Stuff
Drawing on Carl Sagan’s concept that "we are star stuff," the article explains how all life shares a common ancestry rooted in the elements forged inside ancient stars. It highligh…
The Other Silence
Father Gabriel, a priest haunted by the social stigma of his untouchable caste background, turns to alcohol to cope with deep-seated feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Through a…
Intentions and Actions
People often judge themselves by their intentions while judging others by their actions, creating a fundamental disconnect in how we perceive character. While understanding a perso…
Your Passport to Hindu Temples is Cancelled
The author criticizes the decision to ban non-Hindus from several major temples in Uttarakhand, viewing it as a regressive move that contradicts the inclusive philosophical traditi…