Many memory-based beliefs cannot be proven and are without evidence?
Does this make them irrational? Do atheists demand of themselves proof that they once had a teddy bear named Dimples, when none exists today?
2006-09-24 15:25:05 · 9 answers · asked by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Memory is not proof.
2006-09-24 15:30:19 · update #1
Ms. Lissa, you catch on quicker than most.
2006-09-24 15:40:10 · update #2
Duncarin, while your butt might interest you, this question has been important to analytical philosophers for a few years now. Don't be left out.
2006-09-24 15:43:13 · update #3
Elpha, don't get so upset. The point is you don't have photos or records of many past events.
2006-09-24 15:44:50 · update #4
I see where you're going with this; equating memory without physical evidence is like belief in a higher power without evidence. However, the difference is while I may not have any evidence of that teddy bear, I can remember the tangible evidence I did have: holding him at night, feeling his fur. I can't have a tangible memory of a higher power, because there's no way to touch it or smell it, etc. So yes, I believe in the memory of my teddy bear, because I experienced him; I don't believe in God because I haven't yet been able to experience it, I have no physical evidence of it. Does that make sense?
2006-09-24 15:33:25 · answer #1 · answered by Ms. Lissa 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What an existentialist you are! I don't demand "proof" of anything in the real world (proofs in mathematics are pretty useful though). My belief system relies only on the scientific method which is much more efficient at rejecting false ideas than it is at proving true ideas. Ideas that stand the test of time are not proven, just established with a very high probability.
I do rely to some degree on memory, but I am only too keenly aware of how unreliable my memory can be.
2006-09-24 23:40:09 · answer #2 · answered by Jim L 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ok if memory isn't proof what about a photograph? If my teddy bear Dimples was thrown away 10 years ago but theres a pic of me holding him at 3 months old...wouldn't that mean he had to exist at some point?
2006-09-24 22:32:38 · answer #3 · answered by NiK* 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think you should do a little more research on what athiesm is, or has your church blinded you? Is the past not proof?
What about memeory of events that can be proven by other people who happen to be religious?
Again, atheists are not mindless.
2006-09-24 22:27:16 · answer #4 · answered by ? 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What about a home movie that was recorded when I was a child?
I can go back and watch it. I know it happened.
ALSO:
I can remember the bear I had as a child. However, I can't remember seeing god, jesus, gnomes or hobgoblins.
BTW: Do you have any evidence that my invisible blue elephant doesn't exist? NO? Then you must give my invisible blue elephant the same credibility as your god....numb-nuts.
2006-09-24 22:34:02 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's called long term memory.
2006-09-24 22:28:53 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
When you have a photo album of God and Jesus at their family reunion (Satan is always causing a scene), then you can be that obnoxious.
2006-09-24 22:42:40 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hmmmm.. I had dimples in my butt when I was younger, and they no longer exist.
Another stupid answer for a stupid question.
2006-09-24 22:30:27 · answer #8 · answered by Duncarin 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
observation is proof and most observation is memory based
2006-09-24 22:31:54 · answer #9 · answered by brinlarrr 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋