What about deism? (Introduction)

by dhw, Friday, June 20, 2008, 19:43 (6001 days ago) @ Cary Cook

Cary: "If you know that one of two things is true, are you not forced to believe (1) one of them?" - Carey's definition of believe (1) is: to think something is true or probable. I'll go along with that. - The classic definition of agnosticism is: the belief that it is impossible to know whether God exists or not. I know that either God exists/existed or he doesn't/didn't, but I don't know which of the alternatives is true, and so I cannot believe either. According to you, no-one can be an agnostic. - ******** - Cary: "It's not legitimate to add 'for me' to 'impossible'...Belief is subjective; possibility is objective." - In saying something is impossible for me, I mean that I can't do/believe/accept it. The statement that something is impossible may be objective if we all agree on it (e.g. it's impossible to put the Atlantic in a teacup), but it may be subjective (this crossword puzzle is impossible). As always with language, it depends on context and references. If I say it's impossible to decide whether God exists or not, every believer and atheist in the world can turn round and tell me I'm daft, because they have all taken their decision. I therefore add "for me", and hey presto the addition is not only legitimate but also prevents any misunderstanding. - Cary: "Much philosophical confusion is due to failure to distinguish between subjective and objective." - Indeed. - ********* - Me: "I'm not a gambling man." - You: "We're all gambling men...If you mean you don't take unnecessary gambles, I have no objection." - OK, I don't take unnecessary gambles.