Atheists - What basis do you have to believe that your memories are reliable?

Question

If one holds to the idea that the material universe is all that exists, and that all life is the product of natural and random forces that are at work within the universe, it doesn't seem that you have any basis to believe in the uniformity and order that is a necessary to the concept of memory.

Also note that if you seek to justify your memories independently (i.e. - apart from God), you must rely upon your memory to do so.

Answer 1

You evidently know nothing of science or the universe. Natural forces are NOT random, they follow specific mechanics and patterns. Granted we don't understand all of them yet (probably not even most of them) but we're getting closer. (Of course the claim "god did it" or "god made it that way" doesn't answer anything about the universe except to suggest "stop asking."). Gravity, thermodynamics, stress, quantum theory, natural selection, and all the others are decidedly non-random forces by which the universe inexplicably abides (note that this in no way suggests a higher power).

If the universe were chaotic and random then planets could suddenly leap into the sun or zip off to other systems, gravity could stop working periodically, natural selection could never have occurred (it's the complete opposite of random), trees (which never would have existed) would freeze one moment and ignite in 3,000 degrees fire the next, or we could spontaneously be absorbed into another dimension. Good thing there is natural order huh?

Since you are clearly misguided in both your concept of the natural universe and atheism, your assumption about memory collapses on itself.

To answer your question anyway... memories are corroborated by fact, evidence and testimony. I can remember a particular fall and if I look I still have the scar to prove it. I remember knocking over a metal pole in a parking lot yesterday (don't worry, my car is from the 70s, it's made of iron and steel - not a scratch or ding on it) if I go back I'll see it at a 45 degree angle. Stories are shared by my friends and family along with the physical evidence.

However, the scar on my knee or the bent pole in the parking lot are both far more evidence than there has ever been for your god.

Answer 2

"it doesn't seem that you have any basis to believe in the uniformity and order that is a necessary to the concept of memory"

What? How so? You just blurted out that statement as fact.
Does it have anything to do with the "random" force you inserted into your statement? True randomness is very hard to achieve. You're thinking of Chaos Theory, that's entirely different.

Answer 3

There isn't much. However, you have to start somewhere. It's like an axiom. You make a very basic, simple assumption and go with it.

It's so much easier and safer an assumption than that I have an invisible entity that is watching over me and will smite me for not believing he doesn't exist because he never showed any direct evidence that he existed.

If however, you seem to be saying that because memories are not evidenced by science yet (and I think they have) then they are because of god, then look up "god of the gaps" argument flaws.

Answer 4

Well it is certainly possible to create 'false memories'. And technically it's possible that we're all living in a Matrix-esque world where our memories are products of a computer simulation. But I consider the theory that my memories are true to be the most likely explanation, so it's the one I choose to believe.
And not believing in a god doesn't mean not believing in the order necessary for the concept of memory.

Answer 5

How does God abolish any of these problems? How can you state that he aids you in memory recall?

Besides, your point about uniformity and order is invalid. A lack of god does not mean that we do not posit that the universe and matter/energy within the universe do not follow an order.

Answer 6

Human memory is notoriously unreliable as is my own. But I think you are suggesting a level of unreliability that is not consistent with the evidence. This is a form of solecism, that I cannot know the outside world or whether other people exist.
An interesting question and there is an argument but its too elaborate for Y!A.

Answer 7

The very reason information is of no avail to the unbeliever is that even on an analogous time as shown, some days later the unbeliever will say to himself, ' how develop into I deceived? develop into I hypnotized? What trick develop into performed on me?' If one has an thought - one will hit upon preparation of it in his international. it extremely is how Maya works and it has its purpose and reason. we don't grant the foremost considerable of the motorcar to a 10 12 months previous truthfully for this reason of actuality they are particular they understand how tochronic a motorcar. all human beings understand there are one hundred subject concerns they do no longer look to be yet conscious of. comparable with religious subject concerns. the dominion isn't made typical to those that are even nevertheless particular by using the ego/strategies. the placed on and tear they might do with religious skill is better than what they do with the mortal skill they very own now. First, we could resign our stupidity on the ft of humility and purity of coronary heart. basically then will God bestow His grace of understanding and information upon us. Namaste'

Answer 8

I see a strawman argument here. While I believe the forces we observe are natural and not the product of an intelligence, they are obviously NOT random. Were gravity random the odds of your falling up would be the same as the odds of your falling down. This is obviously false.

Answer 9

My memories tell me what I think right now is what I believe. When I lose my memory, I will not argue with anyone, but do teach other people to think logically and not to take advantage of an old person with bad memory.

Answer 10

I don't not believe because of natural and random forces. That has nothing to do with it. Are you stating that a person can have no mind without God? Which God?