Religion and Ethics Forum
Religion and Ethics Discussion => Philosophy, in all its guises. => Topic started by: Walt Zingmatilder on April 30, 2016, 02:48:48 PM
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I know atheists used to refer to themselves thus but what is it.......and does it really differ from the dogmatic agnosticism which seems to say that ''all we know is that we can't know''?
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I would probably call myself a freethinker according to the generally accepted definition, but certainly not a dogmatic agnostic. By using logic, reason and an empirical approach I don't find any evidence for a god, but I would consider it foolish indeed to categorically state that there is no possibility of ever finding out. This, to me, would be tantamount to a religious person suggesting that there is no doubt whatever that a god exists.
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I know atheists used to refer to themselves thus but what is it.......and does it really differ from the dogmatic agnosticism which seems to say that ''all we know is that we can't know''?
Who do you imagine takes the "dogmatic agnosticism" position?
There are some things we know (have good evidence or sound arguments for) and some things we don't know (insufficient evidence or reasoning to draw a sensible conclusion about).
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Free thought IMO just means someone who doesn't base their beliefs on religion or tradition.
They are free to reach conclusions based on their own logic, rather than one laid down by religion.
That's what I've always taken it as, anyway.
Someone's whose worldview isn't unduly influenced and dictated by things that can't be proved or are just accepted because a book ( bible or Koran) or person says so.
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One can be religious and a free thinker, in my view. For instance, one can believe that science has an important part to play in the life of all humans without thinking that it is the be-aqll and end-all of all investigations and understandings. After all, its meaning is "A person who rejects accepted opinions, especially those concerning religious belief". It doesn't rule out rejected accepted opinions that are based solely of science, especially when those opinions become a religion in themselves.
in his first post, enki says " ... By using logic, reason and an empirical approach I don't find any evidence for a god ... "; and there are those who would say that, using the same techniques, they have come to the opposite conclusion. They would also say - as enki does - that this necessarily has to be open to debate and on-going investigation.
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Who do you imagine takes the "dogmatic agnosticism" position?
JA? ;) After all, he seems to be domatic about what he doesn't know ;)
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JA? ;) After all, he seems to be domatic about what he doesn't know ;)
LOL with a soupçon of ROFL.
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Free thought IMO just means someone who doesn't base their beliefs on religion or tradition.
They are free to reach conclusions based on their own logic, rather than one laid down by religion.
That's what I've always taken it as, anyway.
Someone's whose worldview isn't unduly influenced and dictated by things that can't be proved or are just accepted because a book ( bible or Koran) or person says so.
That is my view, too.
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My definition of free thought is thinking for yourself, without being influenced by others.
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Is anyone completely free of the influence of others? I doubt it and I consider myself to be fairly independent.
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Is anyone completely free of the influence of others? I doubt it and I consider myself to be fairly independent.
I don't let myself be influenced by anyone, unless it is to take a different point of view from the one they are espousing.
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That doesn't make sense floo ;D, think about it!
What I meant was none of us is immune from influence. We may strive to move away from influences but then we'll encounter others. That's quite natural. Even for us!
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That doesn't make sense floo ;D, think about it!
What I meant was none of us is immune from influence. We may strive to move away from influences but then we'll encounter others. That's quite natural. Even for us!
But as long as we are sceptical enough in our thinking, we are on the right path.
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That doesn't make sense floo ;D, think about it!
What I meant was none of us is immune from influence. We may strive to move away from influences but then we'll encounter others. That's quite natural. Even for us!
If someone tries to influence me to do or think something, I usually do the opposite, just as I did when a child.
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I understand that and I believe we should challenge everything but what I meant was your sentence made no sense. Never mind, we move on.
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I understand that and I believe we should challenge everything but what I meant was your sentence made no sense. Never mind, we move on.
Well it made sense to me so that is what counts, LOL!
The smilies have suddenly stopped working for me on this forum, I wonder whether that is to do with uploading Windows 10 yesterday? However the smilies are working for me on other forums.
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If someone tries to influence me to do or think something, I usually do the opposite, just as I did when a child.
So, you are prone to influence. The type you exhibit is reverse influence, so all one has to do is to suggest that you do/think the opposite of what one really wants you to do/think!! I've used it plenty of times in class with certain pupils!!
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Well it made sense to me so that is what counts, LOL!
The smilies have suddenly stopped working for me on this forum, I wonder whether that is to do with uploading Windows 10 yesterday? However the smilies are working for me on other forums.
Odd things happen on this forum floo. Sometimes things work and at other times they don't. If you log in later on this morning you'll probably find you have smiles (if you can log in!!!).
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So, you are prone to influence. The type you exhibit is reverse influence, so all one has to do is to suggest that you do/think the opposite of what one really wants you to do/think!! I've used it plenty of times in class with certain pupils!!
If something seems reasonable from my personal perspective then I might go along with it, if not I don't.
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Odd things happen on this forum floo. Sometimes things work and at other times they don't. If you log in later on this morning you'll probably find you have smiles (if you can log in!!!).
So far no smilies, or the ability to underline a sentence etc!
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That's a bummer. I've had odd things happen on here too. Sometimes a post I've written disappears and I know I've sent it (also know it hasn't been moderated :) ). PMs have gone missing and I only receive or send the odd one - I now delete them after I've dealt, also those in the sent box. It is an idiosyncratic board but no smilies or underlying is quite peculiar.
I've decided I am something of a freethinker too. I have a myriad of unfettered thoughts.
Later: A drop down box with a 1 in it just flashed up under 'My messages'; I looked in my inbox and there were none! This is a spooky board methinks.