Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Augustine · 03-21-2002, 09:30 PM

Are atheists necessarily evolutionists? There really isn't any other way to explain the universe from an atheist's point of view (at least none that I can see). So what is an atheist to do when he finds himself doubting the Great Darwin? It's not that his theory isn't sound or without proof, but this cannot be the only other explaination besides god.

(Note: I'm relativily new to the philosophy "scene", so forgive my ignorance <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" /> )

Pomp · 03-21-2002, 09:32 PM

No, atheists are not necessarily "evolutionists," even though the majority of us here at II are. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in any gods. Were the theory of evolution conclusively disproven tomorrow, I would not become a theist, I'd simply have to become agnostic with regards to the origin of species.

Automaton · 03-21-2002, 10:01 PM

Atheists don't have to be anything. One can be both a solipsist and an atheist, atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods. However, most atheists are metaphysical naturalists (the official philosophy of the II), and metaphysical naturalists tend to be inclined to be evolutionists. However there are some notable examples, I think Hoyle was an atheist and also a militant anti-Darwinist. But Hoyle was a fruitcake.

Augustine · 03-21-2002, 10:20 PM

I realize that atheists are simply those that do not believe in any gods, however, what I am asking is: what other option is there besides evolution?

Danya · 03-21-2002, 11:21 PM

Quote:

what other option is there besides evolution?

I am comfortable knowing that I cannot explain the universe. If everyone were honest they would admit that we only have theories. I choose to follow the theories that are based in science rather than ancient storytellers.

tronvillain · 03-21-2002, 11:46 PM

I think Dawkins said that evolution made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist (or something to that effect).

Vorkosigan · 03-22-2002, 04:04 AM

Well, let's see....Confucians are atheists, and they are not necessarily evolutionists....and many who believe in the cosmic consciousness or similar believe in some progressivist view of life.....

I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs.

Michael

mturner · 03-22-2002, 04:34 AM

**

Atheism is not a simple lack of commitment to the notion of spiritual existence, as in 'God exists'.
This simple lack of commitment, lack of faith, failure to believe, or what you will, is the agnostic position. It is a negative, passive, non-committal position. "I don't know."

Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Atheism and Physicalism are inseparable; essentially indistinguishable. "I know that there is no God, because I know that measurable mass/energy and its 'epiphenomena' are the sum of all existence." This is the basic Infidels position.

mturner

Bill Snedden · 03-22-2002, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mturner:
<strong>Atheism is not a simple lack of commitment to the notion of spiritual existence, as in 'God exists'.
This simple lack of commitment, lack of faith, failure to believe, or what you will, is the agnostic position. It is a negative, passive, non-committal position. "I don't know."

Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Atheism and Physicalism are inseparable; essentially indistinguishable. "I know that there is no God, because I know that measurable mass/energy and its 'epiphenomena' are the sum of all existence." This is the basic Infidels position.</strong>

I'm sorry, but this is simply false. Try arguing your point with a Taoist or a Buddhist. You will quickly find that non-belief in a deity does not preclude belief in the supernatural or "spiritual existence."

Regards,

Bill Snedden

Vorkosigan · 03-22-2002, 05:32 AM

Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists.

Like I said to the first poster:

I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs.

Michael

03-21-2002, 09:30 PM	#1
Augustine Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central US Posts: 7	Atheist = Evolutionist Are atheists necessarily evolutionists? There really isn't any other way to explain the universe from an atheist's point of view (at least none that I can see). So what is an atheist to do when he finds himself doubting the Great Darwin? It's not that his theory isn't sound or without proof, but this cannot be the only other explaination besides god. (Note: I'm relativily new to the philosophy "scene", so forgive my ignorance <img src="graemlins/banghead.gif" border="0" alt="[Bang Head]" /> )

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

03-21-2002, 09:32 PM	#2
Pomp Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Indianapolis area Posts: 3,468	No, atheists are not necessarily "evolutionists," even though the majority of us here at II are. Atheism is simply the lack of belief in any gods. Were the theory of evolution conclusively disproven tomorrow, I would not become a theist, I'd simply have to become agnostic with regards to the origin of species.

03-21-2002, 10:01 PM	#3
Automaton Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 717	Atheists don't have to be anything. One can be both a solipsist and an atheist, atheism is simply the lack of belief in gods. However, most atheists are metaphysical naturalists (the official philosophy of the II), and metaphysical naturalists tend to be inclined to be evolutionists. However there are some notable examples, I think Hoyle was an atheist and also a militant anti-Darwinist. But Hoyle was a fruitcake.

03-21-2002, 10:20 PM	#4
Augustine Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Central US Posts: 7	I realize that atheists are simply those that do not believe in any gods, however, what I am asking is: what other option is there besides evolution?

03-21-2002, 11:46 PM	#6
tronvillain Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 5,658	I think Dawkins said that evolution made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist (or something to that effect).

03-22-2002, 04:04 AM	#7
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Well, let's see....Confucians are atheists, and they are not necessarily evolutionists....and many who believe in the cosmic consciousness or similar believe in some progressivist view of life..... I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs. Michael

03-22-2002, 04:34 AM	#8
mturner Banned Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 100	** Atheism is not a simple lack of commitment to the notion of spiritual existence, as in 'God exists'. This simple lack of commitment, lack of faith, failure to believe, or what you will, is the agnostic position. It is a negative, passive, non-committal position. "I don't know." Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Atheism and Physicalism are inseparable; essentially indistinguishable. "I know that there is no God, because I know that measurable mass/energy and its 'epiphenomena' are the sum of all existence." This is the basic Infidels position. mturner

03-22-2002, 05:32 AM	#10
Vorkosigan Contributor Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Barrayar Posts: 11,866	Atheism is positive, active, and assertive. Its essence is the committed belief, the statement of faith, that only that which is founded in mass/energy, and is therefore measurable, exists. By extension, nothing spiritual, including God, exists. Like I said to the first poster: I think you have confused atheism and metaphysical naturalism. All metaphysical naturalists are atheists, but not all atheists are MNs. Michael

Freethought & Rationalism Archive

The archives are read only.