RE: Is Lack of Belief the Best You Can Do?
March 23, 2016 at 8:34 am
(This post was last modified: March 23, 2016 at 8:44 am by Felasco.)
(March 23, 2016 at 3:24 am)Cthulhu Dreaming Wrote:(March 22, 2016 at 8:15 pm)Felasco Wrote: Please provide proof that the rules of human reason are binding upon all of reality, and thus any gods contained within.
You know of a superior method? Please, we're all ears.
Does the fact that many theists don't know of any superior method to their holy book prove that the rules stated in their holy book are binding upon all of reality, and thus any gods contained within?
Point being, if we agree that 1) there is no superior method to reason, it doesn't automatically follow that 2) reason is therefore qualified to make meaningful statements about the fundamental nature of all reality, the scope of god proposals. Proof is required to make the leap from assertion 1) to assertion 2).
As example, if we could prove beyond any doubt that you are the best poster on this forum, it doesn't automatically follow you that therefore you can write the next best selling book. A proven ability at one scale does not automatically prove an ability at an entirely different scale.
A better example perhaps, the fact that 1) holy books have provided meaning and comfort to billions of people over thousands of years does not automatically prove that 2) they are therefore qualified to make meaningful statements about the fundamental nature of all reality.
The following may help....
IDEOLOGIST: If a member is an ideologist, they will resist all challenges to their preferred conclusion by any method necessary.
REASONIST: If a member is a person of reason, they will apply the same challenges to their chosen authority that they apply to other people's chosen authority, in as objective and even handed manner as possible.
A reasonist will welcome a challenge such as the following, because they aren't concerned with victory but in developing understanding.
Quote:Please provide proof that the rules of human reason, or holy books, are binding upon all of reality, and thus any gods contained within.
An ideologist will welcome such a question only if it helps them proceed towards a rhetorical victory.