The Complete and Utter Destruction of Modern Atheism [Help with refutation?]
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The Complete and Utter Destruction of Modern Atheism [Help with refutation?]
http://www.ucapologetics.com/atheism20.htm
Can someone who is more thoroughly versed in philosophy help me refute this?
Can someone who is more thoroughly versed in philosophy help me refute this?
TheBoneOrchard- Posts : 1
Join date : 2010-03-27
This is not philosophy
Sorry to say but the author of this "article" presents some rather simplistic gobbledygook. It's the classic straw man argument except that his straw men are not even well thought out - not to mention incomplete. I suggest you read some of the books and articles that consider the existence of the supernatural - there are many good recommendations floating around besides Hitchens and Dawkins. You can read some interesting articles here:
http://www.atheist-community.org/library/articles/
Of course, this podcast is excellent ans I recommend you listen to some of the previous episodes. Good luck!
http://www.atheist-community.org/library/articles/
Of course, this podcast is excellent ans I recommend you listen to some of the previous episodes. Good luck!
Skrooks- Posts : 1
Join date : 2010-03-27
Re: The Complete and Utter Destruction of Modern Atheism [Help with refutation?]
Read the objections at the bottom they are all that need to be said in response. The problem identified in the article is a problem for everyone - everything is based on assumptions. As far as assumptions go trusting our senses is a fairly mild one. All of the input from our different senses agree (most of the time) as do the senses of other people, other animals, and instruments that we build to help interrogate the world around us. If we're not allowed this assumption no one can say anything about the nature of our universe.
I don't get it.
I'm not schooled in philosophy either, but I just don't get why his argument matters. Don't we have to accept some things as just axiomatic? How can we do science if we have to "justify" what our senses are telling us? There are principles of mathematics that have to be accepted without being proven or "justified," as this guy says, but if we don't accept them, we can't do math.
And yeah, as other responders have posted, this guy throws up some silly strawmen. I am no expert on what an atheist is, but for me, it means that I have not encountered a reasonable argument to justify a belief in the existence of a god. Strictly speaking, maybe that is not what makes an atheist, but it allows me to carry on as though gods do not exist.
I like Qualia Soup's Youtube channel. If you haven't seen his vid "Putting Faith in Its Place," watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wV_REEdvxo&playnext_from=TL&videos=xDph8460XHU
Also, check out Theramin Trees Youtube channel. His vid, "Wise Monkey #3: Atheism" is good as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLsanX4ZMxQ&playnext_from=TL&videos=I-6AJ9XeTok
And yeah, as other responders have posted, this guy throws up some silly strawmen. I am no expert on what an atheist is, but for me, it means that I have not encountered a reasonable argument to justify a belief in the existence of a god. Strictly speaking, maybe that is not what makes an atheist, but it allows me to carry on as though gods do not exist.
I like Qualia Soup's Youtube channel. If you haven't seen his vid "Putting Faith in Its Place," watch it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5wV_REEdvxo&playnext_from=TL&videos=xDph8460XHU
Also, check out Theramin Trees Youtube channel. His vid, "Wise Monkey #3: Atheism" is good as well:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CLsanX4ZMxQ&playnext_from=TL&videos=I-6AJ9XeTok
jvollmer57- Posts : 13
Join date : 2009-09-06
Location : Los Angeles
My reply.
This was presented on the forums at the Skeptic's Guide a month or so back.
** Ha ha, didn't realize it was you that posted this Bone until I replied, though I never put my two cents in at Skeptic's Guide.
Here is the link.
Additionally, I did my own critique of said paper at my humble little blog.
That said I am not by any means a philosopher and I am sure I may have missed something or messed something up but I tried chasing sources to make sure I didn't saying anything incorrect. It is also written from my viewpoint and my definition of what atheism is to me.
The BIG point I made in short if you don't want to read the entire thing, is the author's complete lack of understanding of an atheist. He additionally tries to superimpose, what I would say his need of the supernatural to explain the universe and then assumes that an atheist needs the same supernatural force to justify his view.
** Ha ha, didn't realize it was you that posted this Bone until I replied, though I never put my two cents in at Skeptic's Guide.
Here is the link.
Additionally, I did my own critique of said paper at my humble little blog.
That said I am not by any means a philosopher and I am sure I may have missed something or messed something up but I tried chasing sources to make sure I didn't saying anything incorrect. It is also written from my viewpoint and my definition of what atheism is to me.
The BIG point I made in short if you don't want to read the entire thing, is the author's complete lack of understanding of an atheist. He additionally tries to superimpose, what I would say his need of the supernatural to explain the universe and then assumes that an atheist needs the same supernatural force to justify his view.
Last edited by roma0104 on Thu May 06, 2010 4:52 pm; edited 2 times in total (Reason for editing : Addition)
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