Do I have a brain?

Question

My friend and I were discussing the arguments for and against God. He argues that at since any type of evidence is always subject to doubt or varying interpretation that it is the same faith scientists have in a theory until it is proven the religious have in God.

He pointed out that since I have not seen my brain but yet have faith that it is there so likewise is religious faith. For even if I know other people have brains, there is no direct link between their brain and mine. Therefore is a possibility that I don't have a brain.

I failed wih various arguments to disprove this thesis of his. He, therefore, argues that most atheists or people who claim that believing in God is requires too much faith or a leap in the dark that the same can be said at the existence of otherwise of my brain. He uses this argument to show that many things require faith where physical evidence is lacking and therefore uses to to justify rationally his belief in God.

Answer 1

You have evidence you have a brain, you can breath, control heart rate, feel emotions, etc. This lets you know you do have a brain. To apply it to your friend's side of the argument you see the signs of having a brain and believe, if you see the signs of God you should believe such as a newborn baby or a solar eclips, or the way the human body works, or how lifes are saved miraculasly etc. you could then counter that it is coincidence to wich your friend could counter you having heart rate is coincidence, you are basicly at a deadlock either way, but I hope this lets you take it a step further. Great Question.

Answer 2

Sorry pal, but I quite don’t understand. It is correct to say any piece of evidence is subject to doubt or varying interpretation, but scientific believes have nothing to do with faith at all. There is a big difference between religious faith and theory. As research moves on and we know more about the world, theories on physical phenomena change accordingly with the new data the old theory cannot take in or explain anymore. A believe in science, therefore, is provisional and subject to change whereas faith is not. Nothing can happen in the world for a believer to leave his/her theory on God behind (faith has nothing to do with what is actually going on in the real world). If a believer has a car accident, and then looses all of his money, home and family… he would still say there is a God. From a scientific perspective you would have said the old theory did not work any more, that there is no body watching over your back, but religious faith always finds its way in conforming and fitting all of this data into their religious systems without quite affecting its core (this is happening to me because God wants to tell me something, this is due the evil forces of Hell, etc.).

With regard to whether you have a brain or not this should be most clear to you (Fram464 has already given account for it, just check on his answer).

PS. Do not desperate if you cannot get your friend around. To catch onto this concept is far more advantageous and profitable than to have your friend chose sides with you (however you should do it with the power of the pen).

Answer 3

Descartes offered a view on this with his famous quote summing up what was to become Cartesian doubt "cogito ergo sum" I think therefore I know that I exist. This could be interpreted (although not strictly true) as meaning because you can think, (which takes place in a brain) you do in fact exist and have a brain.

Additionally you can see your brain if your are sufficiently motivated to do so by trepanning or other DIY cranial surgery and mirrors whereas he is not afforded the same opportunity with God

However it is completely rational and sensible to believe in god. If he does not exist you have lost very little, we all die and that's it but he has had an emotional crutch for life.

If he is right an god exists then he's backed the winning team and goes to heaven and not hell,

its a no brainer really!

Answer 4

He simply said that because you can't see your brain... it doesn't mean it isn't there... then again... it doesn't mean it is. Depending on your stance.

He's right... faith in God is similar in his theory, to both believers and non believers... it neither means He isn't there (for atheists) nor is (for believers) if, we go along inside your friends hypothesis.

He also seems to mean that faith, is a serious leap in the dark for those who have no faith... as is, believing that you have a brain, if you cannot see it and never were educated to know it...

Here, I differ... to believe in God, is a great leap into the light... trust me... been here a long time...

No torch? No worries, He leaves the door ajar and light spills out to lead the way.

Come on.... I'll show you, take my hand;-)

Christian with endless faith, who knows she has a brain, but knows her soul is more important, it's where the torch is lit!

Answer 5

you do have a brain, you can prove it too.
he has a god, he cannot hold up any one fact to unequivocally prove this.
cat scan vs. faith
not quite the match up.
his logic is flawed.
there is no photographic evidence, video evidence or current testimonials.
but there is proof of his god.
it's a 2000 odd year old book with quite a few testimonials in it and they're relied upon by many people.
you have your proof and so does he.
just his proof isn't made of the marvels of current technology, doesn't make it any less real or any less solid.

you read history texts in school and take it as fact... why is it so hard to read the bible and look at it as a 2000 year old history book? is it because what's in it is hard for you to believe? well, that's where faith comes in. that's the leap in the dark. believe me, you'll feel better once you take that leap, instead of living a lifetime on the ledge in the dark.

Answer 6

If you do not have a brain, give money to the church.
As for the faith argument, ask him to detail one current religion or sect that does not ask for money.
Tell him he can buy a bible at my site, dodgy books.com, and have faith that it will turn up. He will not.
The faith argument is an old chesnut, and physicological double negative. If you dont have faith this stupid made up god exists, he wont...and theres lots of proof he doesnt..and the miracles just keep on not happening, and the second comming doesnt come..but if you dont have faith...it wont happen, of course!..but they do need money in the meantime...

Answer 7

There is no winner in any arguments. When it is on matter of faith or belief, then there is no question at all. Arguments from both sides are to win only and none of them will accept the other side.

Answer 8

You have more brains than your friend because you are questioning everything whereas his views are fixed and rigid. Your friend, who sounds like a guy is using cleverness rather than intelligence to arrive at his opinions and cleverness is a defence mechanism to keep him safe, whereas intelligence which you are showing by questioning everything is a clear indication of your own mental capabilities, proof positive that you do indeed, like the scarecrow have a brain.

Answer 9

Although you cannot see the god, but i do believe that a god has a brain. A god is alive, so, we human beings are also alive and we have brains. What makes you think the god has no brain?

Answer 10

Do I have a brain?

The notion of ownership of your own body parts is subject to a complex number of factors.

On the superficial level, you own your bodyparts insofar as you belong to a capitalist country (generally speaking), where suicide is not illegal and you are absolutely free to do what you like to the body from which your consciousness currently manifests itself.

In other circumstances, this notion of ownership can vary.