Author Topic: Searching for GOD...  (Read 3867293 times)

SusanDoris

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27075 on: March 16, 2018, 11:45:38 AM »
Torri,
It is you, (and others), who need to remove their blinkers and see beyond the limitations of human scientific discovery and realise that there is more to life than the physically determined reactions in the human brain.  Your posts clearly show that you have the freedom to think and drive your own thought processes.  What drives and directs these thought processes?  If it is all a result of material reactions in your brain, the end result is just another inevitable reaction over which there can be no control.  Can you not see the obvious that it is "you" in control?  And you comprise far more than a series of electro chemical reactions driven entirely by the deterministic laws of nature.
I'll just take a minute or two to suck in my teeth and visibly cringe!!!
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No, doesn't help at all.
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floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27076 on: March 16, 2018, 11:46:34 AM »
AB is not going to change his take on faith, anymore than most other posters are likely to see it his way.

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27077 on: March 16, 2018, 11:48:50 AM »
One thought often triggers another thought. New information often triggers a thought.  I start to feel cold, thinks - I must put turn heating up; I burn hand on hot stove - thinks - I must remember not to do that again.  What is so hard to understand about this.  Our thoughts are always triggered by something prior, and of course we cannot control the past.  Imagine how things would be if we could control the past; life would be unintelligible; that there is a unidirectional arrow of time is essential for meaning.
Of course we cannot control the past, but can you not see that you and I have control of the present?  I have to disagree that all thoughts are merely triggered by previous thoughts.  We all have the demonstrable power to direct and induce our own thought processes in real time.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

torridon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27078 on: March 16, 2018, 11:50:08 AM »
Torri,
It is you, (and others), who need to remove their blinkers and see beyond the limitations of human scientific discovery and realise that there is more to life than the physically determined reactions in the human brain. 

Because we know our understandiing is limited is why we do science.

Science proceeds cautiously and with inbuilt disciplines.

What is wrong with that ?

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27079 on: March 16, 2018, 11:56:10 AM »
Because we know our understandiing is limited is why we do science.

Science proceeds cautiously and with inbuilt disciplines.

What is wrong with that ?

Unlike religion, which states something is a fact even when there is no evidence to support it.

torridon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27080 on: March 16, 2018, 11:56:56 AM »
Of course we cannot control the past, but can you not see that you and I have control of the present?  I have to disagree that all thoughts are merely triggered by previous thoughts.  We all have the demonstrable power to direct and induce our own thought processes in real time.

Well not quite.  I don't think it possible to have a truly original thought that owes nothing to the past.  Our thoughts follow pathways in the brain, usually well worn pathways, as evidenced by your posting history on this thread, mine also I suppose.  What counts for novelty, as in the art world, is usually some sort of cross fertilisation of existing ideas from different domains of expression.

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27081 on: March 16, 2018, 11:59:12 AM »
Because we know our understandiing is limited is why we do science.

Science proceeds cautiously and with inbuilt disciplines.

What is wrong with that ?
For science to proceed at all, as you rightly point out, requires inbuilt disciplines.  But what is the ultimate driving force behind this quest for scientific discovery?  Surely you recognise that it requires very precise, disciplined control - driven by what?  Is it really just inevitable reactions induced by the unguided, purposeless forces of nature?  Or is it the consciously driven freedom which God has given us to discover the reality behind our existence?
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Stranger

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27082 on: March 16, 2018, 12:17:13 PM »
For science to proceed at all, as you rightly point out, requires inbuilt disciplines.  But what is the ultimate driving force behind this quest for scientific discovery?  Surely you recognise that it requires very precise, disciplined control - driven by what?  Is it really just inevitable reactions induced by the unguided, purposeless forces of nature?  Or is it the consciously driven freedom which God has given us to discover the reality behind our existence?

- sigh -

More personal incredulity - so where is the evidence and logic of which you spoke?
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bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27083 on: March 16, 2018, 12:26:48 PM »
AB,

Quote
For science to proceed at all, as you rightly point out, requires inbuilt disciplines.

So far at least you've tried arguments in logic, had them falsified, then decided that you don't need logic at all, then gone back to some bad arguments, then resorted to assertions of personal faith. So how does your religious belief proceed in the absence of "inbuilt disciplines" of its own?
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BeRational

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27084 on: March 16, 2018, 12:43:45 PM »
You do not need a logical analysis to appreciate the reality that you have the freedom to say, think and do what you consciously want to do.  Just because it can't be explained in material terms does not mean that it does not exist, but it does indicate that it could comprise more than just material reactions alone.

So you admit that you do not have a logical argument to put forward?
I see gullible people, everywhere!

torridon

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27085 on: March 16, 2018, 01:07:07 PM »
For science to proceed at all, as you rightly point out, requires inbuilt disciplines.  But what is the ultimate driving force behind this quest for scientific discovery?  Surely you recognise that it requires very precise, disciplined control - driven by what?  Is it really just inevitable reactions induced by the unguided, purposeless forces of nature?  Or is it the consciously driven freedom which God has given us to discover the reality behind our existence?

if you recognise that science needs discipline then why abandon all discipline in favour of unevidenced irrational belief systems ?  These disciplines protect us from ourselves, from our biases, this is why we had to invent double blind randomised trials and suchlike because our tendency to believe what we want to believe rather than what is actually true is so strong.

The driving force behind our need for discovery is found in a range of limbic system neurotransmitters, most notably dopamine and oxytocin.  Our urge to understand and explore, known as the seeking system, is fuelled by this limbic reward system.  Knock out the dopamine, and you will not even want to get out of bed in the morning.  The limbic system evolved deep in pre-mammalian evolution, it has been selected for and strongly conserved.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2018, 01:09:45 PM by torridon »

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27086 on: March 16, 2018, 01:48:53 PM »
if you recognise that science needs discipline then why abandon all discipline in favour of unevidenced irrational belief systems ?  These disciplines protect us from ourselves, from our biases, this is why we had to invent double blind randomised trials and suchlike because our tendency to believe what we want to believe rather than what is actually true is so strong.

The driving force behind our need for discovery is found in a range of limbic system neurotransmitters, most notably dopamine and oxytocin.  Our urge to understand and explore, known as the seeking system, is fuelled by this limbic reward system.  Knock out the dopamine, and you will not even want to get out of bed in the morning.  The limbic system evolved deep in pre-mammalian evolution, it has been selected for and strongly conserved.
So why are we not seeing other mammalian species seeking the truth behind their existence?
No matter how many technical terms you use to categorise brain activity, if you disregard the human soul, all you are left with are chains of deterministic reactions entirely defined by the uncontrollable forces of nature.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2018, 01:51:04 PM by Alan Burns »
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Stranger

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27087 on: March 16, 2018, 01:58:22 PM »
No matter how many technical terms you use to categorise brain activity, if you disregard the human soul, all you are left with are chains of deterministic reactions entirely defined by the uncontrollable forces of nature.

So what?
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Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27088 on: March 16, 2018, 02:00:03 PM »
So you admit that you do not have a logical argument to put forward?
I have put forward many logical arguments on this thread.

The point I was making is that you do not need logical arguments to realise that you have the freedom to make conscious choices.   Once you have come to terms with this fundamental reality, you may then seek logical reasons why we have this freedom to choose.

Other people on this thread have got it the wrong way round by trying to re define reality to fit in with short sighted logical arguments.

The bottom line is this:
If we have the freedom to make conscious choices, they can't be derived entirely from deterministic reactions within the physical elements of the human brain.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2018, 02:05:05 PM by Alan Burns »
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

floo

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27089 on: March 16, 2018, 02:06:09 PM »
I have put forward many logical arguments on this thread.

The point I was making is that you do not need logical arguments to realise that you have the freedom to make conscious choices.   Once you have come to terms with this fundamental reality, you may then seek logical reasons why we have this freedom to choose.

Other people on this thread have got it the wrong way round by trying to re define reality to fit in with short sighted logical arguments.

The bottom line is this:
If we have the freedom to make conscious choices, they can't be derived entirely from deterministic reactions within the physical elements of the human brain.

I think many posters might dispute that. ::)

Stranger

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27090 on: March 16, 2018, 02:07:10 PM »
I have put forward many logical arguments on this thread.

Where?

The point I was making is that you do not need logical arguments to realise that you have the freedom to make conscious choices.   

Once again, you are ignoring what people have said - nobody is disputing our experience of free choice.

Once you have come to terms with this fundamental reality, you may then seek logical reasons why we have this freedom to choose.

Such as? You have presented nothing that remotely resemble logic.

Other people on this thread have got it the wrong way round by trying to re define reality to fit in with short sighted logical arguments.

Nonsense - again, why ignore what has been said to you?

Seriously Alan, how do you expect to be taken seriously when you just ignore what people say?
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Stranger

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27091 on: March 16, 2018, 02:20:23 PM »
The bottom line is this:
If we have the freedom to make conscious choices, they can't be derived entirely from deterministic reactions within the physical elements of the human brain.

The problem being that the way you have defined 'freedom' - to mean a choice that is neither deterministic, random, nor a combination of the two - is logically impossible anyway. Any logically possible definition of freedom is fully compatible with determinism.

And however you define 'freedom', there is nothing about our subjective experience is incompatible with determinism.
« Last Edit: March 16, 2018, 02:22:36 PM by Stranger »
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BeRational

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27092 on: March 16, 2018, 02:23:19 PM »
I have put forward many logical arguments on this thread.

The point I was making is that you do not need logical arguments to realise that you have the freedom to make conscious choices.   Once you have come to terms with this fundamental reality, you may then seek logical reasons why we have this freedom to choose.

Other people on this thread have got it the wrong way round by trying to re define reality to fit in with short sighted logical arguments.

The bottom line is this:
If we have the freedom to make conscious choices, they can't be derived entirely from deterministic reactions within the physical elements of the human brain.

I do not think you know what a logical argument it, because you have not presented a logical argument ever.
It is just assertion, and incredulity.
I see gullible people, everywhere!

Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27093 on: March 16, 2018, 02:24:16 PM »

Once again, you are ignoring what people have said - nobody is disputing our experience of free choice.

By calling it "the experience of free choice" I assume you are inferring that it is illusionary and that the reality is that we do not have freedom to choose.

So in essence you are having to re define what we actually perceive to be reality in order to fit in with your logical arguments.

Can you not see the possibility of error in this?

Why not begin again by starting with the obvious truth that we have freedom to choose and build from there?
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton

Stranger

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27094 on: March 16, 2018, 02:33:32 PM »
By calling it "the experience of free choice" I assume you are inferring that it is illusionary and that the reality is that we do not have freedom to choose.

Actually no because I take the compatibilist view, not that it's all that important because...

So in essence you are having to re define what we actually perceive to be reality in order to fit in with your logical arguments.

No - because (whether or not you take the compatibilist view) being able to do exactly what we want to do is completely consistent with determinism.
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bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27095 on: March 16, 2018, 02:43:36 PM »
AB,

Quote
I have put forward many logical arguments on this thread.

That's flat out not true. Name one.
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God

bluehillside Retd.

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27096 on: March 16, 2018, 03:08:05 PM »
AB,

Quote
By calling it "the experience of free choice" I assume you are inferring that it is illusionary and that the reality is that we do not have freedom to choose.

It’s “illusory” and it’s the wrong word in any case. What he’s saying is that your choice appears to be “free” only within certain logical parameters, but if you try to redefine it as free of anything at all then it collapses immediately into incoherence.

Quote
So in essence you are having to re define what we actually perceive to be reality in order to fit in with your logical arguments.

No, he’s explaining to you that what you (or anyone) “perceives” is a very unreliable way at arriving at truths. What you’re doing is re-shaping reality so it fits your perceptions. 

Quote
Can you not see the possibility of error in this?

Couldn’t have put it better myself.

Quote
Why not begin again by starting with the obvious truth that we have freedom to choose and build from there?

Why not begin with the obvious truth that the “freedom” you posit is incoherent, and start from there?
"Don't make me come down there."

God

Enki

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27097 on: March 16, 2018, 03:27:39 PM »
By calling it "the experience of free choice" I assume you are inferring that it is illusionary and that the reality is that we do not have freedom to choose.

So in essence you are having to re define what we actually perceive to be reality in order to fit in with your logical arguments.

Can you not see the possibility of error in this?

Why not begin again by starting with the obvious truth that we have freedom to choose and build from there?

Ok, I'll build it from  there, as you put it.

Of course we have the freedom to choose. What follows next is on what basis we are able to exercise that freedom. It is surely completely logical that it is on the basis of our nature, nurture, past experiences, memories and thoughts which stem from them. This is not a reactive but an interactive process which, evidentially, seems to take place in the brain. The alternative is to bring in something else, which can logically only influence the exercise of our freedoms in random ways. Hence, we have your idea of a 'soul' which influences our decisions. If you reject the idea of your 'soul' being only able to  effect decisions randomly, then it necessitates that you give an alternative explanation on how  this 'soul' has any part to play in the way we are able to exercise our freedoms. You have never, as far as I can tell, given any insight at all on how this 'soul' of yours does this.

Obviously, therefore, in the absence of any evidence that such an entity actually exists, and despite your various assertions which carry no weight whatever, I am inclined to think there is no such thing as your 'soul' at all.
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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27098 on: March 16, 2018, 03:38:46 PM »
Gabriella,

Nope. Reply 27006 actually reads:

You:

What equivalence?

Me:

This one:

“AB's position in #26936 was that the soul's choice or will is not random and was influenced by environment/nature/nurture but not defined by them. AB seems to have made a distinction between choices being "influenced" and being "defined". But it puts him in the position of not knowing the detail of how choices are made, same as the rest of us.” (emphasis added)


You:

There is plenty to consider, hence the point of having a discussion that has run for pages. If there is nothing for you to consider, that's fine.”

Me:

That’s a non sequitur. That the same arguments that undo AB have been posted many times and he’s ignored them many times does not imply that his conjecture “soul” therefore offers something to consider for the reason I explained: it’s incoherent.”

See? The “line before” (that you wrote remember?) concerns precisely “the soul's choice or will” so the whole issue was about this supposed “soul” and so wasn’t irrelevant at all.

I’m sorry this has backfired so spectacularly for you, but don’t blame the messenger here.
Except it hasn't. The line before was about AB's distinction between choices being influenced as opposed to defined. I’m sorry this has backfired so spectacularly for you, but don’t blame the messenger here.

Quote
Why have you just lied about that when I clearly said precisely the opposite – ie, that the incoherence or white noise of "soul" offers nothing to consider?
I haven't lied about what you said. As usual you misunderstood what I said. AB introducing a soul, which is separate from the brain, and using it to argue for the concept of free will (which is why he needed a soul separate from the brain) offers a lot to consider about free-will and a ghost in the system.

Asking for evidence of AB's concept has led to a lot of interesting discussion. Your idea about choosing or not where the arguments take you and your belief that people choose their beliefs could also lead to interesting discussions if you were asked to provide evidence for your belief.

Quote
Oh dear. You can choose or not to accept where the arguments take you. Beliefs come later.
If you want people to consider your idea in more detail, I suggest starting another thread as a lot of posters seem busy engaging with and asking for evidence for Alan's concept of a soul giving humans free-will.
Quote
That’s a mix of ground shifting and untruth. The ground shifting is steering us away from AB's “soul” into the general subject of decision making. The untruth is that the “running on for so many pages” has anything to do with considering and analysing AB’s “concept of a soul and free will”. AB’s “concept” was falsified very quickly – the number of pages involved since is just a function of his obduracy in refusing to address the falsifications. Suggesting that it’s connected with potential legitimacy of his conjectures is just wrong.

Except it does – as usual. One example of white noise is equivalent to another example of white noise. That’s the point of the analogy. No-one is “having an interesting time arguing about why people think AB's concept of a soul is incoherent because his concept of a soul relates to the ideas of free will and choice” – that ship sailed almost immediately he launched it. The length of correspondence since is mostly repetition in the face of his granite-faced obduracy and misunderstanding.
Are you suggesting posters are bored posting on here or bored reading posts about free-will but continue to post and read? I find the posts interesting so you're clearly wrong about "no-one" having an interesting time.
Quote
I don’t “portray” myself as any such thing – what I actually do is portray logic as epistemically superior to bad arguments and assertions of faith.

Ah well. I tried.
OIC. Are you saying you're damaged too and therefore deserving of a lot more sympathy. I thought you were trying to portray yourself as too superior to be damaged, but if I got that wrong then you have my apologies. And my sympathy.
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Alan Burns

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Re: Searching for GOD...
« Reply #27099 on: March 16, 2018, 03:46:29 PM »
It is surely completely logical that it is on the basis of our nature, nurture, past experiences, memories and thoughts which stem from them. This is not a reactive but an interactive process which, evidentially, seems to take place in the brain.
But the perception of past experiences, memories and thoughts is experienced in our conscious awareness.  They are not just binary switches which guide the neurons in our brain to determine a conscious choice - it is consciousness itself which guides the choice.  And this conscious awareness is in essence what comprises you.  And I have previously postulated that conscious awareness can never be defined by material reactions alone, because it is a spiritual property of the human soul.
The truth will set you free  - John 8:32
Truth is not an abstraction, but a person - Edith Stein
Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having. - CS Lewis
Joy is the Gigantic Secret of Christians - GK Chesterton