RE: Non-religious Theism
April 22, 2014 at 11:18 pm
(This post was last modified: April 22, 2014 at 11:19 pm by Metalogos.)
(April 22, 2014 at 11:20 am)Cato Wrote: [quote='Metalogos' pid='655152' dateline='1398166250']
Not all agents are equal nor are they all sentient beings but considering that the universe displays wisdom and order in all its manifestations, it is logical to conclude that wisdom and order, as opposed to insensible chaos are natural attributes of the initial agent or Prime Mover.
Cato writes--Without substantiation, these claims are nothing but baseless assertions. How exactly does the universe display wisdom? I can see no wisdom in the fact that every location in the known universe except for a portion of the surface of our dust ball is totally hostile to our existence. If there was wisdom behind creation, as you claim, it sure as hell didn't have us in mind.
My dear Cato, I am speaking here of anything or person that sets another thing or person into action when I use the term 'agent'. I hardly think there is a need to point out all the empirical evidence that there is in the world to show that there are indeed agents that act on objects that result in the object being set into motion.
As far as my claim that there is wisdom and order in the universe, I am speaking of the myriad manifestations of nature that show intelligence, chief amongst those would be you, I'm sure, and a methodical arrangement of elements that result in harmonious entities like human beings, ants, and snowflakes.
Please, I am not arguing here for intelligent design. I'm simply saying there is intelligence and exquisite order in the universe.
I will endeavour to educate myself re the various alternative explanations that you so kindly pointed out to me. Thank you.
As for Mr. Hume and his esteemed work, I am humbled before his dedication to study and understand both human nature and the nature of the world/universe. I think I should like to read his History of England first as that impressive work apparently contains some of his most insightful discoveries on how the human being behaves and thinks.
I am encouraged to find out this concerning his religious/philosophical beliefs:
It is likely that Hume was sceptical both about religious belief (at least as demanded by the religious organisations of his time) and of the complete atheism promoted by such contemporaries as Baron d'Holbach. Paul Russell suggests that perhaps Hume's position is best characterised by the term "irreligion".[26] David O'Connor writes that Hume "did not believe in the God of standard theism. ... but he did not rule out all concepts of deity".
I admire the man for being both skeptical and open-minded. I hope to emulate him in my own thinking. Thank you.
