Philosophies

[Got_Fenced_In]

I know this is pretty random, but I was sort of wondering if any of your guys could and would take the time to just... explain your philosophy on life. I mean, a few short paragraphs, perhaps. Like if you believe in a god, (or multiple gods, I don't know) and if so, why. And your thoughts on life after death and whether you think near death experiences are even possible. Your theories on souls. And anything else perhaps supernatural or not really explained by, erm, science. Ghosts, myths, things of folklore, demons, psychic powers, black holes, reincarnation, whether dogs go to heaven, if there is a heaven, aliens, I don't care.

Sort of like your religion, if you practice one, but not quite. I want your personal beliefs. The things you feel, deep down, probably exist. And I want to know why you feel that way.


Basically, I'd like to know your ideas on the universe and the strangest things in it.

[sionnach]

I don't believe in God, life after death or anything supernatural.

Science will eventually explain everything.

[Phantom5588]

Hey GFI,

I am undecided if I believe in such a deity, for both scientific and spiritual reasons. It's no mystery that science and creationism clash, but I seem to have a lack of available faith to put into a God who has not in any concrete way demonstrated his existence. I don't believe in blind faith. I do however believe that there are different energies that inhabit the earth, some of which are positive and some of which are negative.

Recently a friend told me that he was doing a follow up on a weird geographical energy field in location X (anonymity is a necessary evil) where there was one specific room in a house that all of the inhabitants developed rapid onset malignant cancers, as it so happens, this particular bedroom in this house was located directly above a fault that had an underground stream running parallel to it and it was creating a sort of vortex that sucked the energy out of this room, so these people's vital essence was being drained, leaving them immunocompromised and thus the cancer was opportunistic. One thing that they did to prove this was put a giant photosensitive base under the bed in this room and they came back later and it had a single linear pattern as evidence of the energy flux.

So I believe in abnormal things, but there is certainly no lack of proof to support my beliefs...just reasonable doubt.

[Epee_Pox]

I'm not sure what label applies to me. I don't believe in any afterlife or any spiritual plane of existence beyond our physical existence. I don't believe in any supernatural beings, gods ghosts or otherwise. It is beyond question to me that, upon death, my brief existence will be permanently annihilated, and that my mark on the cosmos will have been nil.

At the same time, I'm a fairly spiritual person. I pray daily, go to church, and am teaching my children to do the same. I've had profoundly spiritual experiences. Strangely supernatural-like things happen (I'm positive that, on many occasions, I have seen and interacted with seeming people who would fit any definition of "ghosts." Street lamps go out when I walk under them. I can take away other people's pain by placing my hands on them and sort of pulling the pain into me.)

Philosophically, I live my life with the goal of making the world a better place for as many people as possible. I am not a relativist - I understand that different cultures have different ethics, but that does not make them all equally valid. I believe that the sciences, especially research into the human brain and behavior, have displaced the role of philosophy and are providing the answers it sought. I trust in the scientific method to figure things out eventually.

And of course epee rules.

[Got_Fenced_In]

I don't believe in God, life after death or anything supernatural.

Science will eventually explain everything.

I'm not sure I agree with you 100 percent, but I don't really think there's an afterlife as many people think of it. I mean, memories are a function of the brain, so really, how could you 'go on'? But I sort of hold onto the idea that everyone has a soul or spirit inside them of sorts.

Of course, that could just be another idea (one of millions) created by some desperate person as a comforting sort of idea.

-snip-Recently a friend told me that he was doing a follow up on a weird geographical energy field in location X (anonymity is a necessary evil) where there was one specific room in a house that all of the inhabitants developed rapid onset malignant cancers, as it so happens, this particular bedroom in this house was located directly above a fault that had an underground stream running parallel to it and it was creating a sort of vortex that sucked the energy out of this room, so these people's vital essence was being drained, leaving them immunocompromised and thus the cancer was opportunistic. One thing that they did to prove this was put a giant photosensitive base under the bed in this room and they came back later and it had a single linear pattern as evidence of the energy flux.-snip-

That was a really interesting answer, I appreciate that you took the time to do it. I really didn't think anyone would. And what an intriguing sort of experiment.

-snipI don't believe in any supernatural beings, gods ghosts or otherwise.-snip-

-snip-I pray daily, go to church, and am teaching my children to do the same.-snip-

I only have one question. I fyou don't believe in any god or higher being, what are you praying to and what's the point? Please don't take it the wrong way, it's really just an honest question because I truly am curious

[Fencergrl]

Interesting topic. Here's mine:

I was raised Roman Catholic, so there's remnants of that in me. I was brought up to treat people as I would like to be treated. I try and be kind because I have learned that being a jerk brings bad karma, plus you never feel good about yourself when you behave badly. So I try and live a good life.

I don't believe in god or an afterlife. I take great comfort in knowing my time here is limited and my body will make fine compost one day. I do not want to be spending eternity as some sore of spirit. It's frankly too damn long. I like the thought of a beginning and an end to my life/ existence.

The other problem with an afterlife is that one has a tendency to think of themselves as existing longer than the time you have on this planet. This feeds into the tendency to procrastinate. Having a time frame for your life makes it easier to live in the moment; to savour your life.

Having said all that, I take great comfort in "talking" to my dead mother when I am very troubled. I'll even pray to my dead ancestors for help for such things as keeping my former dog from dying when in surgery (after he got hit by a car).

I doubt that this really helped him survive. I suspect the vet doing the surgery should get all the credit. However, it did make me feel better. I gave me something to do that felt positive.

On the other hand, who knows... I read a study where people who in the hospital and were prayed for did better than those who didn't receive prayers.

[Got_Fenced_In]

On the other hand, who knows... I read a study where people who in the hospital and were prayed for did better than those who didn't receive prayers.

Yeah, that sort of goes with one of my theories... That perhaps instead of a god or something, there's just a... like... I have no idea how to explain this without sounding like I've completely lost it. Like that there's some sort of force... in the world. And thinking negative thoughts about something may very well actually hurt them, and vice versa. Same with your attitude about yourself. It's kind of like karma, I guess, but not quite.

[Fencergrl]

Yeah, that sort of goes with one of my theories... That perhaps instead of a god or something, there's just a... like... I have no idea how to explain this without sounding like I've completely lost it. Like that there's some sort of force... in the world. And thinking negative thoughts about something may very well actually hurt them, and vice versa. Same with your attitude about yourself. It's kind of like karma, I guess, but not quite.

Yeah, I know what you mean. My sister feels that way. I'm not sure, but then again, I've had really strong connections with some people in my life. One was my best friend. We always knew what the other was thinking.

Once I had a dream where I have teleported. I felt myself go through walls as if I was a spirit, to my friend when she was in Japan. I was able to describe the room she was in (a place I have never visited). She was very distressed over a family matter. I called her the next day over my "weird" dream. She was stunned that I described the details so clearly and knew exactly what happened.

My younger sister is another person who I have always felt connected to. As a game when we were kids, I would picture a number, shape of object in my mind, and she would guess it. If I changed my mind and tried to pick something harder, she guessed all the items in the order as I changed my mind. She could only do this with me. It didn't work with others in my family. She said I gave sharp pictures.

So yeah... there's weird stuff that happens that science can't explain. I think the mind is capable of more than we believe it can do.

[Nicksmom]

My children are "sensative". They have been seeing "friends" for years. Rachel was about 2 when we first realized that she saw things. Nick sees too.

[Rabid Monk]

I know this is pretty random, but I was sort of wondering if any of your guys could and would take the time to just... explain your philosophy on life. I mean, a few short paragraphs, perhaps.

Life is. Might as well enjoy it. Don't make anybody else suffer needlessly in doing so.

Like if you believe in a god, (or multiple gods, I don't know) and if so, why.

Nope. I'm a happy heathen.

And your thoughts on life after death and whether you think near death experiences are even possible.

I don't believe in life after death. N.D.E.s, such as are reported, are consistent with experiences of pilots at high g, when the brain becomes oxygen deprived.

Your theories on souls.

I'll show you mine if you show me yours. (I don't think they exist.)

And anything else perhaps supernatural or not really explained by, erm, science.

I'll believe is when you prove it.

Ghosts, myths, things of folklore, demons, psychic powers,

Nope, nope, nope, nope and nope. Unless someone can prove otherwise (James Randi's Million dollar prize is still unclaimed).

black holes,

Those aren't supernatural. General relativity allows them, and astronomer have found some.

reincarnation, whether dogs go to heaven, if there is a heaven, aliens, I don't care.

Nope. No heaven, either, which leaves the dogs in a bit of a pickle. Alien life could very likely exist.

Sort of like your religion, if you practice one, but not quite.

I used to be Christian.

I want your personal beliefs. The things you feel, deep down, probably exist. And I want to know why you feel that way.

Rationality.

Basically, I'd like to know your ideas on the universe and the strangest things in it.

The Universe is not only stranger than we suppose, but stranger than we can suppose.
J. B. S. Haldane



If you have any more questions, let me know.



Oh, and Fencrgrl, not to be mean, but I think you are remembering the study wrong. Unless there's been another one I haven't heard of.

On the other hand, who knows... I read a study where people who in the hospital and were prayed for did better than those who didn't receive prayers.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/31/health/31pray.html

[Nolano]

I'm an atheist. I don't believe in a god.

I want to believe in a grand scale karma system. Basically the golden rule. BUt it doesn't always work.

It's what my morals and ethics are based off of, though.

[HDG]

Give Richard Rorty's, Philosophy and Social Hope a read (or his Contingency, Irony and Solidarity for a more technical version). It about sums up where I'm coming from.

[BrianH]

GFI,

A good question, and you're getting some interesting responses to it.

I'll add a brief personal experience that I found interesting. In February 2001 I woke up from a dream that I was in the middle of an archaeology lecture (I was a professor until I retired) and there was an earthquake that rattled the classroom building, making unidentifiable crackling noises. I escorted the students out of the building and returned to make sure others were evacuating from labs and restrooms. After breakfast I told my wife, and e-mailed a friend the details of the dream. About three hours later it came about exactly as I had dreamed it; the crackling sounds turned out to be from vertical venetian blinds in the library.

I spent my career as a scientist, with a healthy dose of skepticism, so I am willing to accept that there may be some energy associated with shifting continental plates that I somehow felt before it manifested itself in my dream (like animals act in unusual ways before earthquakes, and for the same reason). But I think it is probably unusual for a human to receive and respond to such stimuli, especially in such precise detail.

By the way, the only other serious earthquakes I have experienced have occurred in Peru, so it's not a common phenomenon where I live.

Personally, I believe there are explanations available through science for many phenomena that we don't yet understand. But I absolutely love living in a world where there is also mystery. And the great mysteries, the existence of God, the meaning of life and what happens after death, are not in the realm of science anyway.

[jjefferies]

GFI,
Personally, I believe there are explanations available through science for many phenomena that we don't yet understand. But I absolutely love living in a world where there is also mystery. And the great mysteries, the existence of God, the meaning of life and what happens after death, are not in the realm of science anyway.

Of what has been said BrianH's response is probably the closest to my own views.
But something that I've heard discussed is that all human societies have some sense of spirituality. And that because it is so prevalent in humanity there must be some evolutionary advantage to it. Two other interesting points: first the statement that if god didn't exist mankind would have had to invent him. And that invention reflects the highest ideals of the society (almost a chicken and egg sort of thing). Another is that religion is a meme and a very successful one.

[freerider258]

A lot of fencers I know are atheist. It seems to be a trend.

[matt9476]

I'm agnostic, which means I neither believe, nor disbelieve in any god. Basically, I'm a fence-sitter. I want to see proof before I start believing in one, but I'm not closed-minded enough to think that it is impossible for god to exist. I'll just wait and see.
However, I do believe that Jesus existed and that he was someone like Gandi, Mandela and King. His stories have just been exaggerated over the centuries.
I believe that life on other planets is highly probable. Space is way to big for us to be all that's out there. However, I've never seen an alien or proof of aliens, so I don't know that they exist.
I was baptised, raised and confirmed in the Lutheran church, but I spent a year in high school asking myself questions about why I believed in this religion. Basically, the answer I found, was that I believed because my parents, aunts, uncles and every other adult in my life told me I did. Once I started looking at it with an objective mind, I didn't buy into it anymore. However, I would never criticize someone for his/her religion, except the scientologists, because they're just f***-nuts. I think religion (christianity, judaism, islam, buddhism, etc.) gives people a sense of purpose, understanding and comfort in knowing that there is a reason for being here.

[Got_Fenced_In]

My children are "sensative". They have been seeing "friends" for years. Rachel was about 2 when we first realized that she saw things. Nick sees too.

Really? That's cool. I'd love to hear a bit more about that.

Those aren't supernatural. General relativity allows them, and astronomer have found some.

Oh, I realize that. I just wanted to make sure none of you were following the theory that they were in fact a portal into the faerie realm

I'm an atheist. I don't believe in a god.

No idea why but I would never have guessed that on my own about you.

Personally, I believe there are explanations available through science for many phenomena that we don't yet understand. But I absolutely love living in a world where there is also mystery. And the great mysteries, the existence of God, the meaning of life and what happens after death, are not in the realm of science anyway.

They really aren't, are they? It won't stop this generation of scientists and the next from trying to explain, though, will it?
Also, that's pretty cool about your dream.

Speaking of dreams, I rarely have them. Except for lately. I've been dreamin not every night but close to it. And a lot of the dreams involve water. Sometimes in a good way and sometimes not. I have no idea what that's about... I honestly don't understand my subconcious too well.

A lot of fencers I know are atheist. It seems to be a trend.

I know, right?

I'm agnostic, which means I neither believe, nor disbelieve in any god. Basically, I'm a fence-sitter. I want to see proof before I start believing in one, but I'm not closed-minded enough to think that it is impossible for god to exist. I'll just wait and see.
However, I do believe that Jesus existed and that he was someone like Gandi, Mandela and King. His stories have just been exaggerated over the centuries.
I believe that life on other planets is highly probable. Space is way to big for us to be all that's out there. However, I've never seen an alien or proof of aliens, so I don't know that they exist.
I was baptised, raised and confirmed in the Lutheran church, but I spent a year in high school asking myself questions about why I believed in this religion. Basically, the answer I found, was that I believed because my parents, aunts, uncles and every other adult in my life told me I did. Once I started looking at it with an objective mind, I didn't buy into it anymore. However, I would never criticize someone for his/her religion, except the scientologists, because they're just f***-nuts. I think religion (christianity, judaism, islam, buddhism, etc.) gives people a sense of purpose, understanding and comfort in knowing that there is a reason for being here.

I think I've been going through the same thing over the last two years. I have a bit of a hard time admitting to my skepticism, because, like you, I was raised religious. (Baptist... we didn't go to church much, but only because of my dad. My mom would have loved for us to be in sunday school.)

Now I've got this sort of lost feeling that doesn't quite go away, or hasn't yet. However, I feel a lot more strongly in the things I'm starting to believe, because I've decided to believe them on my own.

[AdamH]

We are dust in the wind, dude.

Formative stuff, then:

One year late start into Catholicism (baptised at 7) dad went by the Jesuits and Irish Grandmother. I liked reading the bible and Brothers Grimm.

Regarding perspective and outlook on life; skipping forward, the usual daliances with Plato/Descartes/et al and a few months of Nietzsche (early 20's, apologies), take on board the very reasonable Britishness of Russell with a spot of Moore and the divergence through Wittgenstein (so far, so standard).


Few more unneccessary namechecks and currently just a very nice young man. Happy to be a bit thick and do what I likes to does. Plays games but not with people, pragmatic as the metaphysical is not something one can talk about meaningfully. Also eats chocolate; may be a simpleton.

[Bryn Ralph]

Mere Christianity by C.S.Lewis provides some interesting insights into the universal questions about life and existence and the meaning of the universe.
A good read, I might add.

[Fencergrl]

Oh, and Fencrgrl, not to be mean, but I think you are remembering the study wrong. Unless there's been another one I haven't heard of.

Different study... Thanks for the link.