Negative atheism? (Introduction)

by David Turell , Wednesday, December 10, 2014, 21:56 (3635 days ago) @ dhw


> DAVID: Perhaps I am too blunt in my statement, but not being able to reach a conclusion, to me is a negative result.
> 
> dhw:In that case you will have to call atheism a positive result.-Not accepting belief is a positive conclusion that chance causes everything we see in our reality. It is a non-starter answer if one accepts cause and effect, and therefore flawed negative reasoning.
> 
> DAVID: I understand that you faithfully study all sides, but agnostically cannot bring yourself to a conclusion. Being unable to commit, for me is a negative result.-> dhw: Only the agnostic approaches the question with an open mind, and since when was open-mindedness a negative?-What you are saying is "I don't need no answer", a non-result. I'm sure you can comfortably live without an answer, still a negative situation.- 
> dhw: I agree that there has to be a first cause, but the evidence does not say it must be “supernatural”. It merely says that so far we don't understand what constitutes nature.-I don't know what that means. We are trying to explore 'nature' with science and we know a great deal about it, especially that living nature is far more complex than realized, just a few years ago when DNA was discovered. So much so that chance development as a theory should be discarded. Just glance through all the material I am presenting about cellular molecular activities. Just like each molecule is thoughtfully following a job description. This is the 'sentience' you keep bringing up. -> dhw: Deep down I do not believe positive proof is possible for either.-I agree. But why not make a choice? -> 
> dhw: You insist on sticking to immaterial causes, and won't admit to looking at anything else. The agnostic keeps a positive open mind.-But will accept a choice of solution only when positive absolute proof is presented. And that is, a priori, impossible. Seems like an empty position to me.
> 
> dhw: Ah, but that is only because you stubbornly insist on agreeing with yourself!-Makes the best sense to me.