In the beginning was the herd. :fire:
Except that there CAN'T be three of you, according to the Tao Unified Cosmos theory. — god must be atheist
Yes, the Tao - another example of a highly abstract idealistic metaphysical theory. — Daniel C
We remember observing from a safe location on the side the 180-proof flame-thrower in action against various foolish expressions of religion, even theology. You seem to have taken on at least a little a spirit of humour and gentility (do I detect movement among the barbecued?) - which is interesting in itself. But did you ever address, in the manner of a Kant, divinity as a regulative idea? I don't mean any variant of Pascal's wager, nor even acknowledgement of possibility, both strategies being essentially disreputable, but instead a simple and cleaner hypothetical understanding which might say that while the "fact" is dismissible - and good riddance, sez I - the idea, as with many good ideas, is useful for a purpose. The latter being considered, the flamethrower might be better employed as a tool of shaping and instruction, than as a wmd against the foolish, whose numbers you likely know better than I are infinite and legion, and that even can thrive on incineration.Thus Spoke 180 Proof! — 180 Proof
Instead of entering into a cold and indifferent world where one must contrive one’s own meaning, morality, and destiny - to the absurdity of a hopeless mortality - one enters into a world with all of these metaphysical concepts pre-established in the fabric of reality. It is, indeed, the idea that “essence precedes existence”, rather than “existence precedes essence.”
Instead of straining toward a feigned delusion as a mode of subsistence, one is settling into benevolent design as a mode of true fulfillment.
This concept is intriguing, and even exhilarating. Not as wishful thinking or blissful ignorance, but as a philosophical and logical validity. Apparently, it is just as reasonable to presume theism as it is atheism. And, it seems to me, starting with theism can infuse significant hope into our perplexing existential realities. — CS Stewart
What this chatter usually assumes however is that all of the accounts in religious texts are likewise projections, illusions or wishful thinking. And surely in a mechanised modern culture such as ours it must seem like that. But I don’t believe so - I think there are records of genuine epiphanies, actual ‘revelations’, such that if anyone were exposed to such visions then they likewise would be compelled to accept their veracity. Not everything in sacred texts is true, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all fallacious, either. Otherwise it would make it the mother of all conspiracies. — Wayfarer
I think there are records of genuine epiphanies, actual ‘revelations’, such that if anyone were exposed to such visions then they likewise would be compelled to accept their veracity. Not everything in sacred texts is true, but that doesn’t mean that it’s all fallacious, either. Otherwise it would make it the mother of all conspiracies — Wayfarer
If the part in bold isn't fallacious, then set out your reasoning. Surprise me. — S
You did not ask me, S, but if Jesus, Yahweh, or Beelzeboob appeared in front of me and created 100 fish out of nothing instantly in a set of barrels, or turned 100 barrels of wate into wine instantly, then I'd accept it as an act of god, not as an act of magic or trickery. Call me gullible, but it would satisfy me as a proof of truth. And you know how religious I am now. — god must be atheist
).magic or brain damage or drugs or any number of other possible explanations — S
I would say what people believe as real on the pattern of their experiences is based largely not only on what constitutes a valid inference, but also on how gullible people are.The interpretation that he was saying something as trivial as that people can have feelings strong enough that they pretty much can't help but to jump to conclusions doesn't really fit with what he saying about fallacies, because that is a fallacy. — S
The only expanation for this phenomenon which makes sense to me is a psychological one. There must have been this overwhelmimg need in man, right from the "beginning" to find a Superior / Transcendental / Cosmic Being to enable him/her to bear the pain / suffering of being alive and to give meaning to their lives and also a sense of morality. — Daniel C
To me it is clear that one of the roots of this psychological need man developed for such a special Being can be found in his sense of own mortality. — Daniel C
Half the people in the world think that the metaphors of their religious traditions ...are facts. And the other half contends that they are not facts at all. As a result we have people who consider themselves ‘believers’ because they accept metaphors as facts, and we have others who classify themselves as ‘atheists’ because they think religious metaphors are lies.
With my reference to a special Being, neither singularity nor plurality is important, because the attempt is to point out existence - modes of existence are of secondary importance. — Daniel C
I'm not sure that I understand what you mean with "an assumption based on a notion of agency". — Daniel C
What we do find among the ancients is an obsession with death and the search for immortality. — Daniel C
finalisation remains out of the question — Daniel C
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