A Rejoinder To “The Only Thing More Dangerous Than an Idea Is a Belief”

By Naseer Ahmed, New Age Islam 25 October 2024 In response to Sumit Paul’s article, I find it important to point out a significant misapplication of Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s views. Taleb’s insights about randomness, uncertainty, and scepticism have been invoked to critique beliefs—particularly religious ones—without fully appreciating the nuance in his own reflections on this matter. In fact, Taleb himself has expressed frustration at people who readily criticize religion while placing blind faith in economists, social scientists, or other so-called experts. Taleb famously said: "I am most often irritated by those who attack the bishop but somehow fall for the securities analyst—those who exercise their scepticism against religion but not against economists, social scientists, and phony statisticians." Taleb’s concept of antifragility provides a useful lens through which to view time-tested religious beliefs. Taleb himself criticizes those who only challenge religion while accepting pseudo-scientific beliefs unquestioningly. In fact, his idea of antifragility can be used to understand why enduring religious beliefs are just not dangerous, but often incredibly useful and resilient over time. Religious beliefs, especially those that have stood the test of time, exhibit antifragility. In Taleb's framework, antifragile systems don't just survive disorder or stress—they thrive and grow stronger from it. Religious beliefs, like those in the Hereafter, the Day of Judgment, and divine justice, are not mere “crystallized perceptions” that harden people’s minds; rather, they have evolved over millennia, absorbing societal changes, intellectual challenges, and personal crises, becoming stronger and more refined through these very stresses. 1. Survival Through Centuries of Challenges Religious beliefs have withstood centuries of intellectual and societal upheaval, adapting to new circumstances without losing their core tenets. Instead of collapsing in the face of criticism or evolving scientific understanding, many religious systems demonstrate the same qualities of antifragility by thriving under adversity. They remain relevant, providing meaning and structure to people's lives even when other ideologies or belief systems fail. 2. Resilience and Growth in Adversity Throughout history, religions often become stronger during times of crisis. Wars, natural disasters, and personal tragedies tend to drive people back to their faith. Rather than causing beliefs to crumble, adversity helps religious systems and their adherents grow spiritually and psychologically. This growth under pressure is a key trait of antifragility. 3. Meaning and Purpose as Stabilizing Forces Religious beliefs, such as those in an afterlife or divine justice, offer individuals a structured way to navigate the uncertainties of life. Far from being "dangerous," these beliefs provide comfort, stability, and moral guidance in the face of chaos, allowing believers to not only survive hardship but emerge stronger—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. 4. Cultural Cohesion and Ethical Evolution Religions are not rigid; they evolve in response to new ethical challenges while maintaining their core principles. They absorb and reinterpret new scientific and philosophical ideas, integrating them into their frameworks. This adaptability is what allows religious beliefs to thrive despite intellectual and cultural shifts—much like how antifragile systems grow stronger through stress and disorder. 5. Psychological Benefits of Faith Faith has been shown to have significant psychological benefits, promoting resilience and mental well-being. People of faith often find strength in their beliefs, which allow them to cope with life's uncertainties. Rather than making believers “rigid” or “rancid,” religious faith often provides a deep well of emotional strength, enabling people to flourish amid adversity. This growth in resilience parallels the idea of antifragility. 6. Intergenerational Wisdom Religions encapsulate accumulated wisdom that is passed down through generations, much like how antifragile systems learn and improve through trial and error. Religious teachings on ethics, justice, and community have adapted over centuries, becoming more robust and relevant as they encounter new societal challenges. This process of growth through historical experience reinforces the value of religious beliefs in fostering human flourishing. In conclusion, while the article portrays beliefs as dangerous, this is a simplistic view. Time-tested religious beliefs, in fact, exemplify Taleb's concept of antifragility—they become stronger, more resilient, and more valuable over time, particularly in the face of disorder and uncertainty. Religious faith, far from being a source of danger, can offer individuals and communities a profound framework for navigating the complexities and unpredictabilities of life, enabling them to emerge not just intact but improved. ----- A frequent contributor to NewAgeIslam.com, Naseer Ahmed is an Engineering graduate from IIT Kanpur and is an independent IT consultant after having served in both the Public and Private sector in responsible positions for over three decades. He has spent years studying Quran in-depth and made seminal contributions to its interpretation. 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