Can Anyone See Ghosts or Is It Just Our Minds at Play?

My dog has been trying to get me to feed her for hours. We recently switched from two to three small meals per day. Initially, she understood the first and last meals. However, the middle meal now seems to be a never-ending feast, based on how many adorable tricks she can perform. This is an incorrect interpretation, but it aligns with the data she has gathered while coinciding with her desires. It would be illogical for her not to try as often as possible, hence her incessant requests for food after performing tricks near her food tub.

What my dog doesn't realize is that the frequency and timing of her meals are influenced by more than just her tricks. Her sensitive stomach might be the real reason for smaller, more frequent meals, reducing her likelihood of vomiting. My adjustments are based on experience, knowing that a cute performance near mealtime might result in an earlier feeding. While I'm reinforcing her misconception, she has been partially right. Her tricks do influence the timing of her meals, but not her digestive health.

Human Reasoning and Supernatural Beliefs

Human reasoning operates similarly to canine reasoning. We spot correlations and actions that seem to influence outcomes. Over time, we continue these behaviors, sometimes attributing causality to them, even if it is not the case. This is the basis of many supernatural beliefs.

Just as my dog didn't know the cause of her stomach problems, ancient people did not know the origins of various purification rituals. These rituals were seen as effective in maintaining health and happiness. However, once we comprehend the true explanations behind these phenomena, these beliefs often transform into scientific understanding.

For instance, just as my dog learns the correlation between tricks and meals, early humans observed behaviors related to worship and noticed improvements in their health and happiness. Once the causes are understood, the phenomena are reclassified and can be managed scientifically, effectively dismissing any false sense of causality.

The Consequences of False Beliefs in Humans

While humans strive to control their environments, often through behaviors driven by false beliefs, the consequences can be significant. My dog wouldn't be as thrilled every time she performed tricks if she understood the futility of her actions. Instead, she would expend less effort and potentially improve her physical health by avoiding unnecessary tricks. However, she would also lose the joy of control and command, her self-sufficiency, and the satisfaction of seeing her actions rewarded.

Humans, on the other hand, continue to seek control and influence over various aspects of life, often through ritualistic or mysterious means. Despite the lack of genuine control, these behaviors can have measurable and empirically supported positive effects on our mental health. The belief in agency, whether real or fictional, provides a sense of joy and purpose.

Science and the Causal Effects of False Beliefs

Science has increasingly shown that some "nonsensical" actions can have real, measurable, and empirically supported effects on the human nervous system, even if they do not change the external world as expected. For example, performing cute tricks for extra meals, while not providing true control over food timing, can still bring great joy and a sense of agency. This enjoyment is a direct result of our belief that we have control and can influence our environment, even if that control is largely illusory.

Thus, the joy my dog derives from her tricks is a testament to the power of false beliefs. While these beliefs are not always grounded in reality, they can have significant positive effects on our mental well-being. As science continues to uncover the mechanisms behind these effects, our reliance on supernatural explanations will likely decrease, but the joy and satisfaction derived from our beliefs will endure.