I see no qualitative difference between believing that the choices we make matter, and believing in a god. And, I don't see how you could rationally argue either beliefs.
On May 20, 11:19 am, frantheman <[email protected]> wrote: > 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 -- 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 -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
