RE: Origin of Language
February 22, 2018 at 7:08 pm
(This post was last modified: February 22, 2018 at 7:48 pm by Whateverist.)
(February 22, 2018 at 2:04 pm)JMT Wrote: I'm new to the forum. My first post actually. I'm glad to be here, so "Hi, to all!" and I hope to have some fruitful discussion and learn more about what atheists think.
What is the atheist explanation for the origin of language? Is it general, in the sense of selective pressure in an evolutionary worldview? Or is it more specific? Put another way, why and how did language begin?
Fascinating question and one that interests me greatly. But for me I'm looking for a natural explanation along the lines of how did birds become capable of flight or why did whales and other mammals return to the sea.
I hope you don't find god-did-it a satisfying answer because to my mind that is no explanation at all. But I've only just read the OP so I'll just give you a thumbs up for the question and hope for the best.
(February 22, 2018 at 4:38 pm)JMT Wrote:(February 22, 2018 at 4:29 pm)Jörmungandr Wrote: The general assumption is that atheism, by denying God, implies naturalism, which dictates the answers you can derive. However, Buddhists may deny God while at the same time endorsing a metaphysics that is incompatible with naturalism. You can also have people who deny God, but not the supernatural. So, no, atheism doesn't point to any specific worldview. It's a generalization that atheists endorse naturalism, and in certain parts of the west, this may be largely true. But it does not follow logically that an atheist necessarily believes other propositions such as naturalism.
Thanks for your kind and helpful reply. It sounds though, that we basically agree, as my early posts used the term "generally" to refer to the connection between atheism and evolution (which is not exactly the same as naturalism, but I'm not trying to be a punk). It's true that my generalization was localized to the West, so your point is very valid about the East. Thanks! This is a good post!!
I certainly subscribe to naturalism. To my mind, what characterizes your thinking is less about theism and more about supernaturalism. Why do you believe so strongly in that which cannot be detected?
