The Atheist Experience

The Atheist Experience Aug 8, 2018 11:21:39 GMT

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Post by Arlon10 on Aug 8, 2018 11:21:39 GMT

Aug 8, 2018 10:37:37 GMT FilmFlaneur said:

<1,2,3,4,5,6>

1) Fact: the word 'science' was first used in its regular sense only the last two or three hundred years.

That is irrelevant as the "sense" is constantly changing. Romans loved many facets of Greek culture and learned much from Greek tutors. The Romans used Latin words for Greek ideas including the Greek concept of "natural philosophy" (English rendering) or "physical" philosophy (φυσική φιλοσοφία). That word would be "science."

2) It is good that Arlon has the sense and foresight to use the word "might" here, since any thinker of ethics, especially from 'religious activities' would question the notion of its many concepts being 'vague' or 'ill-defined' - the 10 Commandments for instance are, notably not so at all

The exact meaning of the Ten Commandments can be very clear to people who practice religion and often the subject of intense controversy to people in need of such practice.

3) "a thing is good because it is 'natural', or bad because it is 'unnatural'". It can be a bad argument

So I have noticed.

I'll keep that in mind should I ever attempt to argue that way. My argument was simply that religion and the central ideas in it can be useful in dealing with abstract and nebulous concepts.

4) There, too, have been (rare) cases of people who, after head injuries & etc suddenly acquire linguistic talents. But I am not aware of any brain specialists attributing this to a supernatural entity.

If what you mean here is that science can do anything religion can do, and without a god, you missed the whole point of the article.

5) dishonest machinations

Abound almost wherever you look.

6) positive proof

No positive proof is waiting for your endorsement. Your acceptance is not required.