I fail to see why we could not.
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Can an Atheist be a Mystic?
- Thread starter SalixIncendium
- Start date
Probably then we are using the term ‘materialism’ differently. What is your definition?
Mine implies that all things are reducible to material/physical interactions.
Come to think of it, I don't think I use that word very often at all.
But the people that you describe by that term do not look like real, actual people to me.
And that does not sound like something that a typical atheist would agree with.
It can't be a deity or the absolute,
The spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect is illogical so it is not rational.
wandering peacefully
Which way to the woods?
"atheism rejects the existence of gods in favor of a "higher absolute", such as humanity. This form of atheism favors humanity as the absolute source of ethics and values, and permits individuals to resolve moral problems without resorting to God. Marx and Freud used this argument to convey messages of liberation, full-development, and unfettered happiness."
Yes. This one. I for one do not believe in deities. So there is at least one.
Edit : When I have experiences I do not contribute them to something outside of me but rather from inside. It can then alter my positions on the reality outside of me. It is near or impossible to put descriptive words to "experiences" as everyone who experience them have a different subjective perspective.
Yes. This one. I for one do not believe in deities. So there is at least one.
Edit : When I have experiences I do not contribute them to something outside of me but rather from inside. It can then alter my positions on the reality outside of me. It is near or impossible to put descriptive words to "experiences" as everyone who experience them have a different subjective perspective.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
Because......materialist atheists do...not...believe...in..metaphysics....
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
Not all atheists are materialistic. One could say that skeptics do not do metaphysics, since they are evidence based, but it is a bit too far to claim that all atheists cannot do so.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
Then please point to me prominent atheists that believe in metaphysics? I've studied too much David Hume!
That is probably true.
I don't know if they exist as such, though. And I know for a fact that they are not very representative of atheists in general.
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
I can't think of any prominent ones. Raelians may qualify. I was pointing out that your claim was a bit too broad.
Well, if you are not sure of the definition of 'materialist' then I am not sure how you can think it does or doesn't apply to most atheists.
Here is Wikipedia's definition: Materialism is a form of philosophical monism which holds that matter is the fundamental substance in nature, and that all things, including mental aspects and consciousness, are results of material interactions.
Now, can you give me something a typical atheist believes in that is beyond materialism. For example I believe in higher non-material/physical realms and the primacy of consciousness which would make the term 'materialist' not apply to me.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
Ok.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
That atheists believe in empirical evidence, and that what they see and can be verified scientifically through replication? That the material world is the only thing that is true and that any incorporeal world or beings are untrue because they cannot be verified. That description is too broad?
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
Yep. It is better to say that atheists lack a belief in god or gods and leave it at that. It is a rather big tent. Being an atheist does not necessarily mean that one is immune to woo.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
You do realize metaphysics and mysticism is attached to the god concept right? Anything that is incorporeal and abstract is just that. You cannot measure mysticism scientifically.
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
It is not exclusive to that concept. Not all atheists are rational. I try to be, but I am not going to say that one can't be an atheist and be irrational.
Attached to a god concept? Did you read the OP?
Subduction Zone
Veteran Member
As to atheists being mystics I can find you testimonials by atheists that believe in Reiki, it does not get much more mystic or woo woo than that.
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
Gotcha
Epic Beard Man
Bearded Philosopher
You just simply googled the word that doesn't necessitate any rational fact.
It was said in the OP
"or who believes in the spiritual apprehension of truths that are beyond the intellect."
God is conceptually a spirit beyond the intellect. Anything that is incorporeal and immeasurable is associated metaphysics and to experience metaphysics is called mysticism.