So basically you believe that we are all a consequence. No different than a splash of water from a marble rolling down a hill. We are a splash seemingly alive, seemingly moving about in seemingly rational directions, but in truth wholly devoid of intelligence... You further (presumably) believe that the world is determinate - since we are a consequence of the Universe - given enough information about any act we should be able to predict the outcome... As such, we can theoretically predict what will haven to John or Rebecca at 8:45AM on Thursday if we know enough about them and their surroundings... And it seems you believe that all human thought is predetermined by nature as well - so that there is no true independent decision making - thus we are not actually in control of our lives but are merely victims, consequences, of nature's predetermined course.. Thus the idea that we can make decisions and control our destiny is, a fable.. Much like the bible. No?
2007-04-07 03:44:49 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
P.S. As an example, if you knew enough about me, you should have been able to predict that I would post this question. And the idea that I chose to post the question is a fable - that I rely upon to make me feel as a "person" when in reality I am a splash from a marble. My "life" is no different than a splash.
2007-04-07 03:48:23 · update #1
Acid, et al - so basically we are a random Universal splash of water, and we, as objects - just like a splash - can control whether the splash goes up one feet or two feet. The same argument can be made that a splash of water made an intelligent decision to wet a rock two inches to the left. Are atheists saying that we are "special", different than other objects? Why? a "spirit"?
2007-04-07 03:57:25 · update #2
Much of what you say is true. However one aspect that is not is the bit on predetermined actions. Actions and events are only predetermined if we do not observe and learn. Once we have understood we can change our future.
2007-04-07 04:00:30 · answer #1 · answered by Freethinking Liberal 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
NO, atheists don't believe in seeing into the future. Given enough information, we can predict within a certain level of probablilty where John and Rebecca will be. Chaos, a part of nature, prevents us from stating these predictions absolutely.
No, atheists believe that humans are intelligent. Most atheists would agree that some of our behaviors (e.g., sexual orientation) are predetermined but that most of human behavior is learned. We are bombarded by conflicting memes throughout our lives, and we must decide which ones to embrace.
2007-04-07 10:56:55 · answer #2 · answered by ivorytowerboy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Give me a break! Your arguement is completely flawed, we are in control of our lives as we are able to make decisions to determine our future.
We could not possibly determine what will happen to John or Rebecca at 8:45AM on Thursday as their surroundings do not dictate what decisons they will make, mental thought processes and the environment are independant of eachother to the extent of the environment being a factor in the person's decision making (eg a person may wish to go for a walk yet it starts to rain, contrary to the environment and the possible consequences of going out in the rain the person could still decide to go for that walk.)
The bible - I think you may be right! It's very likely to be ficticious, I'd go a step further to say a sizeable part of it is plagiarised too!
2007-04-07 11:01:57 · answer #3 · answered by roytochaps 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There is no reason to believe the universe is deterministic. Quantum mechanics opens the door to indeterminate states. Your willful misinterpretations are a consequence of religious dogma, not the universe.
2007-04-07 11:00:51 · answer #4 · answered by novangelis 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Newtonian mechanics is deterministic. Quantuum electrodynamics is not. The phenomenon you describe (thought) happens on that smaller, quantuum scale. The amount of information required to know what you're thinking even now is improbably large. Even Theistic physicists know that.
2007-04-07 10:55:27 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
~~~ Mr. S,,,,, Shame on you for categorizing all atheists as subscribing to your diatribe. This illustrates a deep ignorance and subjective bias on your Understanding of the subject. This is akin to an atheist saying all christians have the same beleifs.
2007-04-07 12:49:43 · answer #6 · answered by Sensei TeAloha 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you have it bass ackward. Most atheist believe that there is no predetermination. That we are responsible for our own actions and there is nothing guiding us be it God, gods, fate or the universe. Our lives are determined by our own doings and chance.
2007-04-07 10:51:28 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Sigh. What's with the anti-science questions?
Quantum physics.
2007-04-07 10:57:07 · answer #8 · answered by eldad9 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
To much information
2007-04-07 10:47:42 · answer #9 · answered by Screamin' Banshee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I could have predicted you would completely fail to understand the atheist world view.
2007-04-07 10:50:53 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋