Comments on: Not Why I’m an Atheist http://aristophrenium.com/hermiene/not-why-im-an-atheist/ Proclaiming the truth of the gospel and the centrality of Christ in all things Wed, 08 Feb 2012 23:48:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: The Non-Reasons of Havard’s Atheism http://aristophrenium.com/hermiene/not-why-im-an-atheist/#comment-495 The Non-Reasons of Havard’s Atheism Mon, 07 Dec 2009 09:46:46 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/?p=299#comment-495 [...] it has been somewhat of a dereliction of my duties to not publish a response to Havard’s article “Not Why I Am an Atheist” and for that I apologize. My failure to submit a response was perhaps due in part to the very [...] [...] it has been somewhat of a dereliction of my duties to not publish a response to Havard’s article “Not Why I Am an Atheist” and for that I apologize. My failure to submit a response was perhaps due in part to the very [...]

]]> By: Ryft http://aristophrenium.com/hermiene/not-why-im-an-atheist/#comment-377 Ryft Thu, 19 Nov 2009 05:55:25 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/?p=299#comment-377 <p>First, I would argue it is true that an atheist must necessarily be a nihilist, if he is rationally consistent, for there is no property of nature to which the term ‘meaning’ corresponds in an empirical way. Even the manner in which Håvard describes ‘meaning’, it amounts to nothing more than neurological expressions of biochemical states empirically equivalent to a complex of atoms composed in this way instead of that way. Second, he is ascribing a value to certain biochemical states without realizing that his atheism cannot account for values in the first place. Ergo, his position is twice borrowing intellectual capital from elsewhere that his own position will not supply him, forcing him into rational inconsistency.</p> First, I would argue it is true that an atheist must necessarily be a nihilist, if he is rationally consistent, for there is no property of nature to which the term ‘meaning’ corresponds in an empirical way. Even the manner in which Håvard describes ‘meaning’, it amounts to nothing more than neurological expressions of biochemical states empirically equivalent to a complex of atoms composed in this way instead of that way. Second, he is ascribing a value to certain biochemical states without realizing that his atheism cannot account for values in the first place. Ergo, his position is twice borrowing intellectual capital from elsewhere that his own position will not supply him, forcing him into rational inconsistency.

]]> By: Mathew http://aristophrenium.com/hermiene/not-why-im-an-atheist/#comment-375 Mathew Thu, 19 Nov 2009 04:04:46 +0000 http://aristophrenium.com/?p=299#comment-375 <p>On your paragraph about Nihilism, I don't doubt that you can define what is meaningful to you on your worldview. We all do this. But your idea of meaning here is entirely subjective and confined to yourself only; its meaning cannot universally apply. What you find meaning<u>ful</u> I may find meaning<u>less</u>. So I guess I take issue with how you use the word “meaning” in the context of nihilism. </p> <p>As I understand nihilism, it declares that there is no ultimate <em>objective</em> purpose for which mankind exists. The subjective meaning that you find in your own life must surely be irrelevant to the existence of mankind as a whole. As individuals we are, after all, but mere drops in the ocean of human history. </p> <p>So unless I'm missing something—which is entirely plausible!—atheism and nihilism still go hand in hand, as far as I can see.</p> On your paragraph about Nihilism, I don’t doubt that you can define what is meaningful to you on your worldview. We all do this. But your idea of meaning here is entirely subjective and confined to yourself only; its meaning cannot universally apply. What you find meaningful I may find meaningless. So I guess I take issue with how you use the word “meaning” in the context of nihilism.

As I understand nihilism, it declares that there is no ultimate objective purpose for which mankind exists. The subjective meaning that you find in your own life must surely be irrelevant to the existence of mankind as a whole. As individuals we are, after all, but mere drops in the ocean of human history.

So unless I’m missing something—which is entirely plausible!—atheism and nihilism still go hand in hand, as far as I can see.

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