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In reply to the discussion: Our brains have evolved to look for patterns and assign meaning, even when none exist. [View all]Jim Lane
(11,175 posts)29. I was reporting an actual Gallup poll. I personally do not believe in ghosts.
I don't understand why you comment "really?" about the poll. You asked me for evidence to support my assertion about what the general population believes. In response, I gave you the link to a professionally conducted poll. If you think it was silly to waste time on such a poll, take it up with Gallup, Inc.
As I said in another post, there actually are some patterns in the world. It's possible to err by missing patterns, and it's possible to err by thinking you see patterns that aren't really there. Sensible people do their best to avoid both errors by carefully scrutinizing the evidence.
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Our brains have evolved to look for patterns and assign meaning, even when none exist. [View all]
cleanhippie
Mar 2012
OP
So basically saying science can be used to study the brain and the evolution of it is...
Humanist_Activist
Mar 2012
#5
The simplest example of this would be the constellations and looking for shapes in clouds...
Humanist_Activist
Mar 2012
#6
Exactly. And unfortunately, people still assign agenticity as seen in horoscopes.
cleanhippie
Mar 2012
#10
I don't forget that we live in groups, your explanation didn't have anything to do with groups.
Jim__
Mar 2012
#19
Anecdotal evidence: Astrology columns in newspapers. Useless gambling systems.
Jim Lane
Mar 2012
#21
Your answer indicates that you are far more prone to see patterns than to be overly skeptical.
Jim__
Mar 2012
#24
All it takes for overzealous pattern recognition to be an evolutionary advantage...
Silent3
Mar 2012
#50