RE: What philosophical evidence is there against believing in non-physical entities?
August 30, 2016 at 4:46 pm
(August 29, 2016 at 10:25 pm)joseph_ Wrote: Materialism is dead nowadays as a serious philosophical theory. I think the Kantian realization that the world is dependent on our senses causes us to to doubt that we can contain the world in language or our thoughts. Science has not disproved the existence of other dimensions.
Why would people be unwilling to acknowledge the possibility that spiritual entities exist? I talk to them every day and they talk back to me, using English words and language. I am sure this is real and most societies have had some sort of concept of this. Why would people be unwilling to acknowledge there could be other life besides human life?
The scientism is strong in this one! (the thread, not yourself; I may have to bookmark this for future reference).
In regards to the OP... From my knowledge; I don't know that materialism is dead as a philosophy or worldview, there still seems to be quite a few who support it (even if they fail to offer much if any evidence for the assertion). I do think that you may want to be careful with the statement "Science has not disproved the existence of other dimensions", it may be valid, but I think as another mentioned, it is not an argument for anything. I also see no reason, to limit any evidence against, to science as the only method of gaining knowledge.
As to your personal experience, I normally approach such claims with a healthy skepticism. I believe that it can be evidence, and such a personal experience is often strong for the one who experienced it. And I also consider; as other's I'm sure have mentioned, that they can be psychologically induced as well. This doesn't mean that I do not acknowledge them, but I am tentative of the experience, and look for collaboration before giving any serious weight (both my own experiences, as well as testimony from others). When you get down to it, there are a number of details to consider when evaluating a claim of experience.
With that in mind, I have had a couple of times, where I very strongly felt, that God was speaking to me. In each instance, the result, was a drastic change in my views (apart from one where it was affirming). In a couple of them, I argued against them for a time. What I heard was clear and concise although I don't believe they where audible sound. It wasn't like a feeling or conscience. It is also collaborated by historic Christianity and scripture. There are other times, where I feel that God may be speaking to me, but they are not as clear, and cannot at least consider that it is my own voice, that I am hearing (I am fairly reserved in claiming something in God's name out of respect for Him).
