Alceste
Vagabond
Being both, and neither, I've no argument with that.
Isn't that "opposition"?
"Opposition" implies some kind of purposeful activity.
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Being both, and neither, I've no argument with that.
Isn't that "opposition"?
I like that."Opposition" implies some kind of purposeful activity.
I like that.
Still, I think it safe to say agree that "atheist" is the world view that stands in contrast, but not opposition, to "theist."
Okay. To me, that description of "atheism" doesn't lack for contrast to "theism".Not exactly. "Atheist" doesn't mean anything except that deities are not part of the world view. Granted, "theist" barely means anything either, except that deities are part of a world view. I think I would need more information before "contrast" would be possible. For example, I have a nearly identical world view to many pantheists, except that I don't call the universe "god". Not much contrast, there.
According to some atheists, it's the nature of belief itself that settles the matter.
Not quite. Yours is a sensible argument.Well obviously! <scratches head> And as 'some atheist' that is my view; it is the argument that I'm making.
Isn't that "opposition"?
The sentence "I don't believe your an atheist" can mean either A or B:The problem with this is that the wording "I don't believe you're an atheist," has but one meaning in plain English --that I doubt that you are an atheist. The way we use the word is indicitive of the function of "belief" in language, which is to lend support to a statement of truth.
I don't believe you.The sentence "I don't believe your an atheist" can mean either A or B:
A) I lack a belief that you are an atheist (i.e. I commit to no position on the matter)
B) I believe that you are not an atheist (i.e. I commit to a position on the matter)
The verb believe belongs to a class of verbs that produce this kind of ambiguity. The verb know does not. Hence, "I do not know that you are an atheist can only mean C, never D:
C) I lack knowledge that you are an atheist.
D) I know that you are not an atheist.
All these atheist around, you would think someone would know what an atheist is.
Well, according to some, no such list is possible.It might be easier if we came up with a list that makes it easier on people and allows them to identify whether they are atheists or not.
I think that person was trying to say "What exactly is the belief?". Saying atheism is a belief doesn't reveal anything about it.From my understanding of these definitions (and perhaps a "weak" solipsistic viewpoint), everything "known" is believed.
One has tried to argue that, "If Atheism is a belief, then provide a belief that is specific to Atheism." It seems to me that this argument is excruciatingly narrow, yet concrete, and I suppose I have Kilgore Trout to thank for that.
But I also find this argument rather frail, since I could ask, what is a belief specific to Satanism, or Christianity, or Islam, etc. etc.
how does an honest description of your beliefs mean they're in conflict?I have yet to find a unique position where a belief is specific to that "classification", since in reality, a thoroughly in depth explanation of one's sincere and honest belief can only concede that these specified beliefs would come in conflict with each other.
Well, according to some, no such list is possible.
Well I would probably agree now that I think about. I tend to think most atheist are crazy or out of their mind when they start talking about leprechauns, Santa Claus, Unicorns and other things.Well, according to some, no such list is possible.
A deity is organized religion right?It's a very short list, actually: "Do you believe in any deities?" If the answer is no, you're an atheist.
So now "atheism" is active disbelief.It's a very short list, actually: "Do you believe in any deities?" If the answer is no, you're an atheist.
If they are not your own beliefs, meaning you took them from someone else then they are in conflict with your own.I think that person was trying to say "What exactly is the belief?". Saying atheism is a belief doesn't reveal anything about it.
how does an honest description of your beliefs mean they're in conflict?