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  1. MikeF

    Lets solve Free will once and for all!!

    I'm not sure I understand this question. What would be an example of an answer you might expect to receive?
  2. MikeF

    Why we don't have free will using logic

    But we do have evidence and therefore do not rely on faith. Our experience of the world around us, our history of interactions, provides the data upon which we form rational expectations. If the expectations continue to be met, we gain confidence in that expectation. If something does not fit...
  3. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    @Augustus Here is an example of the kind of hard demarcation limiting the scope of The Activity that I tend to see related to the term 'scientism': "Scientism, the illicit extension of the methods and categories of science beyond their legitimate domain, is one such form, and the conception of...
  4. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    Haven’t all who have wished to maintain the current status quo been happy keeping things the way they were and been resistant to change? However we categorize and sub-categorize, it is done for our convenience. Categorical thinking, though, has its drawbacks and can lead to problems, including...
  5. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    The purpose and relevance of this comment is lost on me. Not seeing how it fits with the OP or anything said within the thread.
  6. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    Is it a philosophical discussion or is it a political discussion? When speaking of what we do with what we learn, that would be about exercising subjective personal preferences, yes? Perhaps philosophy should simply be seen as political rhetoric?
  7. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    Well, if this works for you, what else can be said. :) Indeed. So I believe. And no, I shan't blame any entities for my choices. :)
  8. MikeF

    Is it important to know, when humans started believing in God?

    I think this opportunity is lost to us in this day and age. Yes, we can look at the historical record of first contact by Western Europeans, and that does give us some insights, although through the biased lens of 18th and 19th century Westerner's who weren't operating under Star Trek's Prime...
  9. MikeF

    Is it important to know, when humans started believing in God?

    A practicing Christian lacks objectivity though, right? Whether it be Catholic, JW, LDS, Baptist, Quaker, UU, etc, is it our expectation that their view of Christianity will be completely non-biased and objective, or will it be heavily flavored by their particular take on Christianity? So, nah...
  10. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    Presumably the entity wants *everyone* to base their beliefs on what the *entity* wants everyone to believe. The fact that there are so many competing and conflicting versions is a strong indicator that there is no *correct* entity involved in this process, and really, no entity at all. Umm...
  11. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    Wow. Seriously? This whole site is full of the many varied speculation on gods, deities, and other assorted entities, along with other more abstract notions of ultimate Oneness and Nirvana, etc. If your chosen entity can't be plain enough to end all this speculation, it is absolutely unjust...
  12. MikeF

    Is it important to know, when humans started believing in God?

    The OP is essentially asking when did beliefs in gods and deities begin and so I see my comment as relevant. You suggested talking to animists and polytheists to get an understanding of animism and polytheism, however, I would be skeptical of the notion that a modern's reasoning and attitude...
  13. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    No problem, mate. You are certainly under no obligation to explain you comment.
  14. MikeF

    Is it important to know, when humans started believing in God?

    Can't really speak to the OG animist though, can we. Are you suggesting that we should talk to New Age animists and pagans and see that as being representative of the beliefs and attitudes of the first human animists?
  15. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    Beliefs don't matter? Hmmm, don't buy it. To suggest that a belief has no impact on behavior does not fit with what we see. Also not sure about the distinction between holding a belief and carrying it. If I had strong beliefs associated with the concept of racial purity and the imperative to...
  16. MikeF

    What "if" you are wrong

    I'm in the non-believer camp. Given the vast variety and conflicting entity beliefs over the millennia, if I am wrong then it seems 99.9 % of believers are also going to be wrong. In that light, if I am wrong it will make no difference. If I am wrong it will still have been human beings...
  17. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    Excellent. We seem to agree that the objectivity of The Activity has increased over time. We can then, of course, ask why objectivity has increased for The Activity, which would lead to an understanding of how it has been increased. Of course they aren’t separate activities. That is exactly...
  18. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    :) Not diggin' it, eh? Would you say your dissatisfaction lies in my abandoning traditional philosophical terms, or that in your view ( and others perhaps :) ) it appears I have had a stroke and am simply speaking gibberish? As to speaking past each other, I have attempted to be careful in...
  19. MikeF

    watch an elephant paint a pic of an elephant with your own eyes

    Not to diminish what is being accomplished here, I am left asking the some questions like, does the elephant recognize the drawing as a representation of an elephant, or is it simply the lines necessary to place on a paper to get the human handlers to provide a treat and leave the elephant...
  20. MikeF

    Who here believes in "Scientism"?

    Ok, good. So now we have an activity that we both recognize. For ease of conversation, I propose we simply label this defined activity as ‘The Activity’. Can we agree that when we refer to The Activity, it is our mutual understanding that we are speaking specifically to The Activity as...
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