Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 4:15 am
Veritas Aequitas wrote: ↑Thu Oct 24, 2019 3:12 am
However, as for Flew...what actual evidence do you have that his decision to be a Deist was created by neural deterioration? And how do you account for him having composed such a cogent and logical defence of his decision, supposing he were in a state of neural decline?
There is actual evidence the neurons in the brain begin natural accelerated atrophy during old age.
No -- I mean do you have any evidence that Flew was suffering from neural deterioration, and that that accounts for his shift to Deism, rather than the cogent argument he produced in his book.
But I know the answer to that. You don't.
I have argued elsewhere the main reason why theists cling to a God is due to an existential dilemma and existential crisis.
Well, you may have "argued" it, but it's not a good argument. You'll find Theists have many different reasons for their decisions.
For example the "Fear and Trembling" re Keikegaard,
You have no idea what that book is about, obviously. I have it on my shelf right here...want to tell me about it?
Sorry to be blunt, VA, but you're 100% bluffing here. You've got nothing.
You'll find Flew was quite in possession of his mind, and the evidence is very clear in his book, if you would read it. Then maybe you can also read "Fear and Trembling," and you'll realize that it does not say what you think it does. It's actually a systematic philosophical treatment of the Biblical story of Abraham and Isaac, and how faith was understood from his story.
But please: if you want to argue about anything in either book, don't hesitate to get specific; I have read both, and have both handy.
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What I stated are researched evidence, i.e.
1. The atrophy of neurons with age.
2. The belief in God is stronger with old age
3. The belief in God [faith] part of the brain is independent of the higher reasoning faculty.
4. The existence of Angst in humans
Show me where I am wrong in the above.
I have shown the combination of the above enable the emergence of Flew's conversion from [a]theist to deism.
Keikegaard wrote anonymously thus one need to understand the existential psychology beyond what is literal in "Fear and Trembling."
Btw, Keikegaard is regarded as one of the founder of existential psychology.
What I have present is a very rough argument due to space and time constraints.
I understand your very defensive position in closing all the doors to advancing knowledge, but if had the ability to research more on the element 1-4 above, you will likely accept to some degree to what I had presented.