This SocraticSwine asks: Is it possible for an strict empiricist to believe in God?

Answer 1

Possible.

Answer 2

The important element here are the terms and what they mean. Strict empiricism is the cornerstone of real spirituality, it being the main emphasis in Zen buddhism. The term 'god' is too conceptual and full of so many theological interpretations that 'belief' is actually the only thing that can be said about it. Instead (and perhaps ironically) the ONLY way to 'God' is through strict empricism. But like any empiricist, some faith in the process is required. And, even more ironically, the empiricist would be left NOT with a BELIEF in God but a direct experience (e.g. we all KNOW what banging our toe feels like; we don't need a set of beliefs or perceptions about it).

Answer 3

With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. There is more then ample evidence for you to research in order to make an informed and intelligent choice. The only question remaining is, are you brave enough and unbiased enough to actually do the research and to do it with an open mind? I'll list only 5 resources for you below and leave the rest up to you. You can find or order these books at any Christian book store.

Answer 4

it is not possible for a strict empiricist to believe in god as the word empiricism means(philosophy) the doctrine that knowledge derives from experience.it requires man to think rationally and adopt scientific methods to get results and enhance the intelligence of a person but where as most of the major religions do not give scope for empiricism. they require total submissiveness to religious texts. the exception is Buddhism and one sect of Hindu philosophy nyaaya which give scope for questioning.nyaaya gives logical inference for the existence of Brahman(god)but in the GEETHA preached by sri Krishna, he required total loyalty and blind belief in him.thus Hinduism also became like other religions dogmatic.

Answer 5

actually most of the evidence for god's existence is emperical. look around you. what do you see. its all laid out for you.

You have to have a strong faith in abstract principles and science to NOT believe in God. if you are an empiricist, you probably do believe in god.
Empiriical evidence is that which comes from experience and events and sensory data, NOT logic or reason or theory.
atheisim is a faith based theory

Answer 6

Yes it is.

em·pir·i·cism (ĕm-pîr'ĭ-sĭz'əm)
n.
The view that experience, especially of the senses, is the only source of knowledge.

Employment of empirical methods, as in science.
An empirical conclusion.
The practice of medicine that disregards scientific theory and relies solely on practical experience.

You can test God - I don't recommend it but people have.

For instance Gidieon in Judges, God told Gidieon a way to do war and Gidieon tested God twice and both times God came through.

Just by living according to the Bible personally, I have proved God's word, for instance at the moment I am harping on about, I had a severe snake phobia, couldn't watch them on the television couldn't touch them or look at them in pictures in a book, sometimes I would drop the book in fright, it cause severe panic attacks.

I began claiming 2 Tim 1:7 "For God didn't give me a Spirit of fear but of power love and sound mind. " (It took over a month)

Now I can watch snakes on t.v. Praise God.

God really does want relationship with us, He will show you, ask Him. (Please don't think that is a cop out, it really is the best source, go to the source if in doubt.)

Answer 7

According to Collins dictionary, "theory empiricism 1. noun the doctrine that all knowledge of matters of fact derives from experience and that the mind is not furnished with a set of concepts in advance of experience Compare: intuitionism rationalism."

There are people who have experienced G-d, and changed their unbelief into belief. One of them was Saul of Tarsus who became Paul, author of many letters and Acts of the Apostles.

Answer 8

no, expanding on the previous post where i replied to your previous question, you can believe in god using reasoning, but not empiricism. the reason being is that something is empirically based, if; it is based on measured evidence or consequences, based on known axioms (infallible truths), and independant of perceptual biases;

Answer 9

You can always believe in what you cannot prove. Strictly, though, if it is not proven by experiment, then it is not to be believed. And strictly, it is not to be disbelieved either, as all one can say is that it is not proven by the experiment(s) used.

Answer 10

My dear little adorable Swine, of course it's possible. It's always possible to either beleive or not to beleive. It all depends on what you want to do.