(July 2, 2009 at 6:22 pm)Tiberius Wrote: Your example is precisely why we are agnostic. We understand that nothing can truly be known. Certainty therefore is the measure of relative knowledge of beliefs, i.e. how well you think your beliefs match reality. I'd never claim that I know there are no gods, but I would claim that I think my beliefs are 100% correct; I can never know, but I don't doubt that there are no gods.If my example should rank me as you propose then the "100% certain" is misleading indeed and " unprovable" should be stated more accurately: unprovable within the current science-based epistemological framework
Kyu Wrote:Then why do you say 100% certain?For the reasons I stated above. Absolute certainty is the measure of the actual probability (a fair die has a 1/6 certainty of landing on a 1), whilst relative certainty is a measure of how well you think your beliefs match reality. I'm 100% certain that Evolution happens, but I also understand that we can never actually know (at least in an absolute sense) given the "brain in a jar" scenario.
How would you guys improve my scale? I'm very open to suggestions, because the idea was to build a scale that everyone could use, and so far you are the only two people who have said they cannot find a place on it.
>>
Disbelieves in God, holds God as unprovable (and unproven) within the current science-based epistemological framework, and is as certain about its non-existence as humanly possible.
Sorry for fauling up your ranking system so badly, but now I've done so (don't feel obliged to accept my suggestions ;-) ) it is time for bed.
"I'm like a rabbit suddenly trapped, in the blinding headlights of vacuous crap" - Tim Minchin in "Storm"
Christianity is perfect bullshit, christians are not - Purple Rabbit, honouring CS Lewis
Faith is illogical - fr0d0
Christianity is perfect bullshit, christians are not - Purple Rabbit, honouring CS Lewis
Faith is illogical - fr0d0