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Theory of the Atheist

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J. Devau

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“Since the notion of quality, as understood by [the Swedish Research Council], is supposed to ignore practical applicability, quality as the sole selection criterion means that we value the production of new knowledge and its own right, rather than just a means towards attaining other goals. I have long been – and still am – highly sympathetic to this romantic view of knowledge and intellectual achievements. To improve our understanding of the world we live in really is one of the most magnificent and worthy the goals of human activity one can think of. And yet, it is not the only worthy goal. A bright future for humanity, where everyone has the best possible prospects of leading a happy and prosperous life, and where such things as poverty, pain and misery are reduced to a minimum, seems like another goal worth striving for, at least as important as the quest for ever-increasing knowledge.”

Scientific KnowledgeIntrinsic ValueScientific ProgressExistential RiskGlobal Catastrophic RiskCatastrophic Risk
Book:Here Be Dragons: Science, Technology and the Future of Humanity
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“Unanticipated rewards in the future, such as a paycheck bonus in two weeks or an athletic trophy you get at the end of a season, will not change neural connections in the same way. Rewards have to be experienced right after we do something in order to build habit associations (context-response) in memory. Given this timing, the most effective habit-building rewards are often intrinsic to a behavior, or a part of the action itself. This could be the feeling of pleasure you get when you read an engaging story to your kids and see their enjoyment; or maybe the warm glow of generosity you experience when doing a good deed, like volunteering at the soup kitchen. You aren’t a rat. If you volunteer, don’t then go and buy yourself a big chocolate bar and expect the habit to start forming. Let the warmth intrinsic to the activity be the reward. Take advantage of your built-in humanity. As you’d expect, those who liked to exercise—who rated it a fun activity that made them feel good—exercised more often and reported that it was more habitual and automatic. They didn’t have to think much before heading out to the track or gym. Most interesting is that students who exercised just as often, but who indicated that they went mostly out of guilt or to please others, failed to form a robust habit.”

Intrinsic ValueHabit Formation
Book:Good Habits, Bad Habits: The Science of Making Positive Changes That Stick
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“We blossom not in spite of but because of. I think of every experience as my teacher, most especially the difficult ones. I believe this is the role of suffering. Suffering cracks us open to allow for new light. Yet, we can choose to accept the light or hide under our bushel.”

LifeLife QuotesYogaUniversal LoveDr Rev Stephanie RuttIntersectional FaithStephanie RuttDoorway To The Sacred
Book:Doorway to the Sacred: Transform Your Life with Mantra Prayer
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“Like Arjuna, we too are enough, as we have a unique part to play in the Divine plan. And, like Arjuna, we are nothing when—in those glorious moments—we take refuge in our God, crying out in sweet surrender, “Thy will be done!” And, in an instant, we are free. Welcome Home.”

GodChristianityYogaUniversal LoveQuotes About GodDivine PlanDr Rev Stephanie RuttIntersectional FaithStephanie RuttAn Ordinary Life Transformed
Book:An Ordinary Life Transformed
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