Are we all born an Atheist?

Discuss philosophical questions regarding theism (and atheism), and discuss religion as it relates to philosophy. This includes any philosophical discussions that happen to be about god, gods, or a 'higher power' or the belief of them. This also generally includes philosophical topics about organized or ritualistic mysticism or about organized, common or ritualistic beliefs in the existence of supernatural phenomenon.
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Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

(I clicked on the wrong button)

I'm saying that one has no logical reason to choose one rather than the other, but the choice settled on has profound consequences nevertheless. That also was Sheldon's problem: he could choose to return to his old life or move in with Amy. For Sheldon, both choices were equally appealing. It wasn't until Amy lured Sheldon into her apartment with a psychological ploy using a philosophical discussion as bait that a decision was made, howbeit, at an unconscious level.
Eduk
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Eduk »

But in Buridan's ass the choices are between two identical bales of hale, so long as the Ass picks one then the consequences are the same.
Unknown means unknown.
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

Eduk wrote: June 21st, 2018, 12:42 pm But in Buridan's ass the choices are between two identical bales of hale, so long as the Ass picks one then the consequences are the same.
Please don't do what TC is doing by take the analogy into areas for which it was never intended. Any analogy breaks down if taken too literally.
analogy is our best guide in all philosophical investigations; and all discoveries, which were not made by mere accident, have been made by the help of it. --Joseph Priestley, a pioneer in chemistry and electricity
The point is, if we want to call ourselves human, a choice must be made. If that offends anyone, please note that it's just not me saying it:
But the need for myths, indeed, the cry for myths, will be present wherever there are persons who call themselves human.

May, Rollo. The Cry for Myth (p. 20).
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

I meant CT.
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

Oh, geez. I'm going for a walk.
Eduk
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Eduk »

Ok well I find your choice impossibly vague. Perhaps I have chosen to your satisfaction without even realising that I have done so?
Unknown means unknown.
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ThomasHobbes
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Eduk wrote: June 21st, 2018, 9:42 am If the answer to your own question disproves itself then maybe you need to rethink the answer.
Well since I did not ask a question I suggest you take a refresher in reading skills.
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ThomasHobbes
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by ThomasHobbes »

1) Buridan's Ass is not relevant to the thread.
2) Buridan's Ass is only paradoxical because the problem is synchronic. However since we live in a diachronic dynamic world. Asses do not die of hunger where there is food for a very good reason.
Eduk
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Eduk »

I always think the point of a forum is to make my point only. Sometimes people disagree, but they are all wrong. Now what have I learned?
Unknown means unknown.
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

Eduk wrote: June 21st, 2018, 1:51 pm Ok well I find your choice impossibly vague. Perhaps I have chosen to your satisfaction without even realising that I have done so?
I think you're over thinking things. It really quite simple.

1. Evidence suggests (but does not prove) that humans are born with a natural inclination towards religion.
2. Even if there is not this natural inclination, even if we are born as atheists, no one can seriously question humans are compelled to make sense of the world.
3. As we pursue reality to an ultimate conclusion, we come face to face with a choice: do we believe the impetus is mechanism or will?
4. There is absolutely no reason to choose one over the other. (No choice is also a choice.)
5. Our choice has profound psychological and sociological consequences. .

That it. Pretty simple. This says nothing at all about God`s existence, but I have presented evidence (and can present a lot more) that it is healthier than not to have myth help orient our lives..
Eduk
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Eduk »

So you believe in God because of the utility of said belief?
Personally I am of the opinion that the greatest utility comes from accuracy.
Unknown means unknown.
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

What I believe is irrelevant for this thread. I'm simply describing the situation we all find ourselves in -- acknowledged or not.
Eduk
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Eduk »

Declaring something to be a fact, acknowledged or not, doesn't do much for your argument (in my opinion).
Unknown means unknown.
Dark Matter
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by Dark Matter »

Eduk wrote: June 22nd, 2018, 4:35 am Declaring something to be a fact, acknowledged or not, doesn't do much for your argument (in my opinion).
Not my problem. :wink:
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ThomasHobbes
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Re: Are we all born an Atheist?

Post by ThomasHobbes »

Dark Matter wrote: June 21st, 2018, 11:58 pm
Eduk wrote: June 21st, 2018, 1:51 pm Ok well I find your choice impossibly vague. Perhaps I have chosen to your satisfaction without even realising that I have done so?
I think you're over thinking things. It really quite simple.

1. Evidence suggests (but does not prove) that humans are born with a natural inclination towards religion.
Religion is a blanket/dustbin term for a huge range of cultural practices that is hard to define. What most often happens is that we shoehorn our our idea of 'religion' into the practices of other cultures, even when they themselves do not even have that category.
2. Even if there is not this natural inclination, even if we are born as atheists, no one can seriously question humans are compelled to make sense of the world.
Thus, you are conflating "religion" or the lack of it with "atheism", both terms are highly specific to modern western culture. Most religions do not even have a 'god' as we understand it, and the practices we like to call religion for most cultures throughout the study of anthropology and archaeology are not what they are in our culture.
3. As we pursue reality to an ultimate conclusion, we come face to face with a choice: do we believe the impetus is mechanism or will?
Then, having established your false assumptions, you drop a massive non sequitur.
4. There is absolutely no reason to choose one over the other. (No choice is also a choice.)
relevance?
5. Our choice has profound psychological and sociological consequences. .
so what?

That it. Pretty simple.
obviously not as simple as you would like to think.

This says nothing at all about God`s existence, but I have presented evidence (and can present a lot more) that it is healthier than not to have myth help orient our lives..
Evidence??
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