The Philosophy Discussion Forum

If an event happens rarely, it is dismissed by most people and considered a lie, superstition, or illusion. If it happens frequently, it is considered natural. The only difference between natural and supernatural is our ability to observe it. I'm not so foolish as to restrict the power of the univer...

I think we have it about right, but would rather see progress towards earlier abortions. The system can put unfair delays on the decision. I can see no reason why any unplanned pregnancy ought not to be seen as unwanted by default. Now it seems to be that pressure is put on the woman to keep the ch...

Isn't this a debate about the rights of individuals, particularly the right to live? And the central issue one of defining when the individual acquires those rights? It makes no sense to grant those rights to individuals only after they exit the mother's womb. It must be prior to that. The confusing...

1) no materialsist are saying nothing really matters. Where on earth do you get such an idea? From the writings of Richard Dawkins and such. I concede that I may be misunderstanding their position, but I have tried hard to understand where they find meaning and I just can't see it. I'm not alone. 2...

Well you either accept that events are caused or you do not. Causality is a statistical phenomenon. Casino owners are assured, by statistics, that in the long run they can't possibly lose money. That doesn't mean individuals players can't possibly win. There is no problem reconciling one fact with ...

That is not the logical conclusion. Just because we have genetically derived predispositions does not make us "slaves to our genes". Genetics is a factor in our behaviour but there are also social factors. I have honestly no idea what you are talking about here. That contradicts the claim...

chaz wyman wrote:And put aside the laws of nature in the process, just here and there where it suits you?

What laws of nature? Those about billiard balls?

I agree on the bible but it's excellence and wisdom is lost on those who read it literally or historically and think it points to any given God. Whether one likes it or not, whether one believes in God or not, the Bible is the greatest book ever written. It's full of philosophical insights, mystery...

If your only argument against the argument that morality is culturally constructed is saying Hitler believed it Hitler has nothing to do with it. The argument is that, even if we prove we have no basis to behave morally, we will still do. Just look at the idea of survival. We have concluded that we...

chaz wyman wrote:"Some?"

Where it suits you?

Well, if I don't like the way the world is going, I can change a small portion of it - wherever it suits me!

chaz wyman wrote:Morality is a human artifact

That is what Adolf Hitler claimed. And we all know where that line of thinking ends up.

You can't have free-will without determinism. If the universe won't hold the changes that result from your choices, then you have no freedom to choose at all, it's all complete chaos. So some determinism must necessarily exist. That is somewhat obvious and can easily be observed by the fact that the...

However the same theologians make the same mistake that to give man free will, is de facto a limitation of god's omnipotence. If god is teaching each man to choose widely then he is altering free will. If god is all powerful then he has to have know who will and how will not heed that teaching even...

I have once experienced two senses I didn't know I have. It all happened during an episode of sleep paralysis when I "left my body" and felt that my deceased grandmother was near me at the time. The so-called out-of-body experience is real, people who report it are not lying. Whether they ...

I cannot name any iniquity that is good and only added the word evil because believers say that God only creates good things. I think this has been answered millions of times already... How would God give man free will without allowing for evil? How can people be free to choose if they are not free...