wraith wrote:there's a difference from nonconformity and free thinkers.
Free thinkers tend to be more intellectual and stay around the borders of society.
Nonconformists don't give a damn what society thinks of them.
So, in my opinion, I think you're a nonconformist, but not a free thinker, based on what you said. free thinkers rely on logic, facts, and scientific inquiry. That's why scientists tend to be free thinkers because they actually have to think outside of the box, in order to make materials out of reagents, or to hypothesize how an animal would react to an experiment.
acting by your instincts does not count as free thought, because you are not thinking at all when you act by instinct.
W: Well that's not my definition of a free thinker. If, as momopi cited, a freethinker is someone who thinks only in terms of science, logic and the scientific method, than that person is thinking within a certain construct, and limited by science.
Atheists for example, tend to call themselves "freethinkers" and after momopi's citation, I can see why. The thing is, if I am allowed to think freely, then shouldn't I be free to critique atheism too? That's the problem with atheists, in that they assume that if you're a freethinker, then you reject Christianity and adopt atheism. Yet you are not "free" to critique atheism. Thus, that's not freethinking by the strict literal meaning of the term.
This is a whole subject that would take a long time to get into. Maybe a new thread about it would suffice.
Wraith, I'd say that acting out of instinct is doing what YOU WANT, and if you do what you want, then technically, you are more FREE than someone who is constrained by something else or can't do what they want. Don't you think so?
This is getting complex.
But technically, I would say that I am a freethinker because I am FREE to think what I want, based on my insight, observation and judgment. And I do NOT form my opinions and thoughts based on what society tells me or what the media tells me or what any organization wants me to believe.
Likewise, Wraith, you consider yourself "free" to believe in secret societies, illuminati, David Icke, etc. because it makes sense to you. It resonates with you. So, you are free to think that, even though some may think you are a kook for believing in such stuff. Right?
Speaking of science and logic, what makes you think I am not scientific or logical? I happen to be very good at chess and strategy, and always have. I use logic in my thinking when contemplating and analyzing things, everyday all the time in fact. But I am not limited to ONLY logic. I also sometimes rely on intuition and have to make judgment calls too. All humans do in fact, have to make judgment calls. We cannot be 100 percent logical like computers. Life and social relationships do not work that way.
Besides, there are different types of logic. Computer style logic works with computers, but not with people or social situations. Then there are those who can size up a situation or person quickly and understand them and know how to deal with them. They have a certain type of logic that isn't quantifiable by computers or mathematics. It all depends.
But I do not admire someone who is limited by logic alone. For example, logic says that ghosts don't exist cause no evidence exists for them. Yet too many people have experienced them first hand to be discounted. Logic says that acupuncture can't work cause it's premises (meridian points on the body) is unscientific and baseless, yet half the people who use acupuncture say it works. And the AMA has at least concluded that acupuncture is effective in alleviating pain. Same with homeopathy. Logic says the dilution is so small in homeopathy that it is impossible for there to be any energy in the water, and in fact the chemical composition is that of plain water. Yet some swear that it does work.
And if something works or someone gets healed by it, then no amount of scientific debate can convince them otherwise. If it works, then people will try it again. That's the bottom line. Science or logic can't change that even.
There are many things that we don't know and don't understand. Remember the line "There are more things in heaven and earth than dreamt of in your world Horatio" or something like that.