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The Law of Attraction

Started by stromboli, November 24, 2013, 03:26:25 PM

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stromboli

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Law_of_attraction

QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like" and that by focusing on positive or negative thoughts, one can bring about positive or negative results.[1][2][3][4] This belief is based upon the idea that people and their thoughts are both made from pure energy, and the belief that like energy attracts like energy.[citation needed] One example used by a proponent of the law of attraction is that if a person opened an envelope expecting to see a bill, then the law of attraction would "confirm" those thoughts and contain a bill when opened. A person who decided to instead expect a cheque might, under the same law, find a cheque instead of a bill.[5]
Although there are some cases where positive or negative attitudes can produce corresponding results (principally the placebo and nocebo effects), there is no scientific basis to the law of attraction.[6]

Regardless of the lack of scientific backing, this idea has a number of proponents, including Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey. I first heard of this when I was watching TV after I retired and Oprah had a show on it, along with some authors and other pundits. I subsequently read the book, just for the hell of it. Wasn't really impressed, though I was a Christian then and tried to tie it into biblical thinking.

It turns out this idea has a lot of traction. The original concept dates back to the 1860s and was looked at as part of a "New Thought" movement in philosophical circles. Norman Vincent Peale's "The Power of Positive Thinking", while not about that, does echo some of the same ideas. Napoleon Hill's "Think and Grow Rich" is also along those lines. Peale and Hill's books are still published and sold today. It ties into a number of areas, including Prosperity Gospel-Foursquare Church and others. I attended a Foursquare church a few years ago, and it was one of the reasons I am an atheist today.

There is nothing wrong with positive thinking. As a person who suffered from Clinical Depression, I learned that working to project positive thoughts helped me deal with that, and the attitude of looking forward and not dwelling on past failures was essential. I am free of medication today, largely for that reason. The real issue I have with this is when it is viewed in a spiritualistic or religious way, it can lead people to think merely projecting "good thoughts" can somehow lead to success. Good thought is fine, but hard work to go with it is better.

Hydra009

It's essentially Peter Pan's clap your hands if you believe IRL.  Obviously, wishing doesn't make it so.  Yet this sort of magical thinking is oddly prevalent, especially among the super rich (who no doubt find it appealing to credit their success to their own efforts rather than to factors beyond their control) and equally appealing to those who aspire to be like them, who apparently believe that mimicking a wealthy person's attitude might similarly lead them to wealth.

The Law of Attraction is screwed up in that it can fool someone into overemphasizing attitude and neglecting action in achieving their goals.  It also has the ugly implication that those without wealth simply didn't want it bad enough.

In short, it's a vile belief and superstitious nonsense.  It's little wonder it finds such easy company among the devoutly religious.

AllPurposeAtheist

Sounds like an ad on a porn site, make your dick grow 15 inches in 4 days with positive thinking. :roll:
Woops..let's not forget the little choochoo train.. I think I can....
Oh yeah! All things are possible with you know who.. :)
All hail my new signature!

Admit it. You're secretly green with envy.

stromboli

Quote from: "Hydra009"It's essentially Peter Pan's clap your hands if you believe IRL.  Obviously, wishing doesn't make it so.  Yet this sort of magical thinking is oddly prevalent, especially among the super rich (who no doubt find it appealing to credit their success to their own efforts rather than to factors beyond their control) and equally appealing to those who aspire to be like them, who apparently believe that mimicking a wealthy person's attitude might similarly lead them to wealth.

The Law of Attraction is screwed up in that it can fool someone into overemphasizing attitude and neglecting action in achieving their goals.  It also has the ugly implication that those without wealth simply didn't want it bad enough.

In short, it's a vile belief and superstitious nonsense.  It's little wonder it finds such easy company among the devoutly religious.

Your statement also happens to be a pretty good description of prosperity gospel. The idea that believing and having faith will lead to riches, just support the ministry, etc. The Foursquare church preaches that if you are ill it is because you aren't "in the spirit"  with Jesus. That went over big with my wife with MS, believe me. Also, the next week after he said that, his own wife was sick with the flu. It also doesn't quite cover birth defects.

Jmpty

It also reminds me of SGI "Buddhism." They chant for what they want.
???  ??

Jason78

QuoteThe law of attraction is the name given to the belief that "like attracts like"

Just tested that with magnets.  The results do not support the theory.
Winner of WitchSabrinas Best Advice Award 2012


We can easily forgive a child who is afraid of the dark; the real
tragedy of life is when men are afraid of the light. -Plato

Plu

Positive thinking isn't about "If I think happy, I will get rich". It's no more than "If I think happy, I will be happy".

It works wonders for me. I'm always happy, even though it's probably also the very thing that's keeping me from being rich.

leo

Religion is Bullshit  . The winner of the last person to post wins thread .

Jmpty

I was a bookstore manager when the book "The Secret" came out. It was, and is, a joke. Magical thinking at it's finest.
???  ??

PickelledEggs

Lol my mom made me watch The Secret.

It's total bullshit. All to is is brainwashing yourself to not notice the bad and notice more of the good. The same shit happens around you. You're not manipulating anything other than your observations. I think it has to do with the fact that people always forget about the bad and remember the good, it just makes it happen more.

AllPurposeAtheist

Obviously if you flap your arms fast enough you can fly, but you have to believe it enough or it don't work. Then all you're doing is jumping jacks without actually jumping. :)
All hail my new signature!

Admit it. You're secretly green with envy.

mykcob4

'The Power Of Positive Thinking' right? Well I don't think it holds real merit as thought would have to manifest itself into a real force that could act on material objects. Sure we've all seen David Blane or Chris Angel do crap that seems like they are moving them with their minds, but really what they are doing is deceiving those that want to be deceived, which is virtually all of us.
In the 1860s there was no real knowledge of real exacting science other than what had already been discovered by Newton and his peers. People thought they were conducting scientific experiments and inventing things when they were just fooling around in the barn so to speak. Even Thomas A. Edison wasn't a real scientist. That is the age when this theory first emerged and low and behold it gained credibility. Just like religions that aren't based on anything more than a good sales job and some appropriate phrasing to make things sound authentic. You know like when a person uses a Bavarian accent to seem like they know psychology. Or when the catholic church uses somber music to make their rituals seem reverent.
I don't think this theory has any validity at all, not even accidentally.

Sal1981

I only would think about positive thinking for its placebo effect, nothing more.

I sometimes see the placebo effect met with a tad of derision, that someone is "fooling themselves" with positive thinking. But I view it as the way of thinking about the world in a different, and positive, perspective.

But people that think of positive thinking as a way to improve their lives on its own are definitely fooling themselves. It's enabling the same way atheism just removes ideas that weren't there in the first place.

stromboli

My own experience from dealing with depression is that by being proactive/thinking positive and not allowing yourself to wallow in perceived failure is definitely important. In that aspect, positive thinking matters. But to assume you will acquire things or gain wealth or improve your life merely by thought is silly. Thoughts are only as effective as the actions that go with them.

SGOS

Quote from: "stromboli"Regardless of the lack of scientific backing, this idea has a number of proponents, including Jim Carrey, Ellen DeGeneres and Oprah Winfrey.
I like the way you inserted this partial list of highly reasoned proponents for our examination.  Well, I can't say it makes me want to believe in the concept with total acceptance, but it's a start I suppose.  I mean after all; Oprah Winfrey.