One can, theoretically, choose the way of complete nihilism, egocentrism and, ultimately, sociopathy. Some do, and even manage to die peacefully in their beds. There does seem to be a general consensus among humans that this is not the best way to live. If you use the word "belief" to describe the conviction that the choices we make matter, that this is our nature, then I can accept this. The conviction is, however, founded on rationally arguable premises.
Francis On 20 Mai, 18:09, Lonlaz <[email protected]> wrote: > Francis, > > When I talk about belief, I'm not only talking about just belief in > god. Doesn't any instance of making a choice that matters, whether > from an athiestic mindset or not, involve belief? There has to be > some value system that someone believes is important. > > On May 20, 11:03 am, frantheman <[email protected]> wrote: > > > We choose because choosing is an inevitable fact of life, every moment > > myriad possibilities being realised, far far more remaining > > unrealised. If Pat were still around, he and Neil could now begin a > > dialogue about the quantum ramifications of such a model, including > > rainbow refracting butterfly effects. What makes us pretty unique in > > the universe in which we experience ourselves is that we seem to be > > the only ones where the cosmic dance of constantly interacting quantum > > choices of energy-state possibilities is reflected in our conscious > > perception of ourselves, life, the universe, everything. (One could, > > of course, argue for the presence of something analogous in certain > > animals, but that's another subject). > > > We choose because we cannot not choose. Realising this is the basis of > > awesome freedom, but also responsibility. This can provide, in my > > view, a coherent non-theistic approach to the various questions of > > purpose in life, etc., which have been raised here recently. We > > continually make choices and our choices matter, because, if we fuck > > up, then baaaad shit can and will happen. Does happen. Freedom/ > > responsibility are the sources of human purpose and we don't, in fact, > > need a God to plug this gap. Moreover, theistic belief (especially in > > its various religious concretions) is often a cop-out ... the whole > > God's will/Insh'allah concept (at least as uderstood and practiced by > > many). > > > http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Butterfly_Effect > > > Francis > > > On 20 Mai, 17:22, Lonlaz <[email protected]> wrote: > > > > I admit, I am with very few beliefs. But I've been coming to the > > > conclusion that especially in a universe without a God, and us sitting > > > around with the illusion of free will, aren't they necessary? > > > > Here I am, a confused human in a world of cause and effect, of atoms > > > bouncing off each other in very precise ways for no particular > > > reason. Somehow I have to reconcile fact that I feel that I can make > > > choices not accordance with causation. Not only do I need to > > > reconcile that, but I have to decide what to do. I think this is > > > where belief and faith are necessary.- Hide quoted text - > > > - Show quoted text - --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups ""Minds Eye"" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Minds-Eye?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
