More than three years ago I wrote a post entitled Why I'm An Atheist, where I briefly explained some of the reasons why I don't believe in blogger.com post, which was long over due at the time, needs an update. With each passing year I get much better at understanding the arguments for and against the existence of god, and since that post came out I've created several new arguments of my own Adolf Hitler's religious beliefs have been a matter of debate. His opinions regarding religious matters changed considerably over time. During the beginning of his political life, Hitler publicly expressed some favorable opinions towards Christianity, Some historians describe his later posture as being "anti-Christian". He also criticized atheism Jul 03, · Epistemology and Atheism Many debates between atheist and theists are epistemological in nature. When atheists and theists argue about whether it's reasonable to believe in miracles, to accept revelation and scriptures as authoritative, and so forth, they are ultimately arguing about basic epistemological principles: How do we know what is and
The Jesus Trilemma of C.S. Lewis
Epistemology is the investigation of the nature of knowledge itself. Its study focuses on our means for acquiring knowledge and how we can differentiate between truth and falsehood. Modern epistemology generally involves a debate between rationalism and empiricism. Rationalists believe that knowledge is acquired through the use of reason, while empiricists assert that knowledge is gained through experiences. The study of epistemology is fundamental to understanding how and why we think, atheism essay, in other words, how we acquire knowledge, how we rely upon our senses, and how we develop concepts in our minds.
A sound epistemology is necessary for the development of sound thinking and reasoning, which is why so much philosophical literature can involve seemingly arcane discussions about the nature of knowledge. Some questions frequently discussed by epistemologists include:. There are many different theories of epistemology, but they all fall into mostly one of two camps: empirical or rational.
According to empiricists, we can only know things after we have had the relevant experience, in other words, our knowledge is a posteriori. Rationalists, however, believe it is possible to know things before we have had experiences, in other words, our knowledge is a priori. To epistemologists, atheism essay, there are no third options, except, perhaps, for the extreme skeptical position that no knowledge is possible at all.
But otherwise, one is either a rationalist or an empiricist, atheism essay. Rationalism is not a uniform position. Some rationalists will simply argue that some truths about reality can be discovered through pure reason and thought examples atheism essay truths of mathematics, geometry, and sometimes moralitywhile other truths do atheism essay experience.
Other rationalists will go further and argue that all truths about reality must in some way be acquired through reason, normally because our sense organs are unable to directly experience atheism essay reality at all. Empiricismon the other hand, is more uniform in the sense that it denies that any form of rationalism is true or possible.
Empiricists may disagree on just how we acquire knowledge through experience and in what sense our experiences give us access to outside reality; nevertheless, they all agree that knowledge about reality requires experience and interaction with reality.
Many debates between atheist and theists are epistemological in nature. When atheists and theists argue about whether it's reasonable to believe in miraclesto accept revelation and scriptures as authoritative, and so forth, they are ultimately arguing about basic epistemological principles: How do we know what is and isn't atheism essay, and is belief founded in knowledge?
Atheists tend to be either exclusively or primarily empiricists: they insist that truth-claims be accompanied by clear and convincing evidence, which can be studied and tested, atheism essay. Theists tend to be much more willing to accept rationalism, believing that "truth" can be attained through revelations, mysticism, faith, etc, atheism essay. This difference in positions is consistent with how atheists tend to place primacy on the existence of matter and argue that the universe is material in nature, whereas theists tend to place primacy on the existence of the mind specifically, atheism essay, the mind of God and argue that existence is more spiritual and supernatural in nature.
Share Flipboard Email. Other Religions Belief Systems Atheism and Agnosticism Logic Ethics Key Figures in Atheism Evolution Atheism Myths and Misconceptions. Austin Cline. Atheism Expert. Austin Cline, a former regional director for the Council for Secular Humanism, writes and lectures extensively atheism essay atheism and agnosticism. our editorial process. Cite this Article Format. Cline, Austin, atheism essay. What Is Epistemology?
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Shot straight on or from a slight low angle, the churches in Antal’s images dominate their surroundings. In one photo, shot from atop a nearby mountain, a decorative white churc May 28, · The first thing to know about the Loomers is that they were all either atheists or agnostics (and there is a difference, stressed Amis, who thought atheism could be too premature and “lenten”) Dec 30, · Music Essay Topics. These essay topics related to music can lead you to find a topic for argumentative essay: Blues make us feel depressed. Music is a therapy that can be used for illness. Music should be played in an examination room to help students focus better. Distribution of music should be free. Music preferences reflect personality
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