Food for thought.

[Chriliman]

Some simple questions to get you thinking.

Why shouldn't there be a reason for everything?

Why shouldn't there be a reason for existence?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that I exist?

A simple answer to the above is that the reason behind everything is to know the truth.


I'll assume rebuttal questions will be:

Why should there be a reason for everything?

Why should there be a reason for existence?

Why should there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why should there be a reason that I exist?

A simple answer to these questions is that one wouldn't ask a question unless one had a reason to ask, thus supporting the idea that there is a reason behind everything, even the very questions one asks.

Thoughts?

 

[Archaeopteryx]

Not getting much nourishment from this food. Barely edible.

 

[Chriliman]

Not getting much nourishment from this food. Barely edible.

So the questions are meaningless to you?

 

[asherahSamaria]

"A simple answer to these questions is that one wouldn't ask a question unless one had a reason to ask, thus supporting the idea that there is a reason behind everything" - surely that's a non-sequitur

 

[Chriliman]

"A simple answer to these questions is that one wouldn't ask a question unless one had a reason to ask, thus supporting the idea that there is a reason behind everything" - surely that's a non-sequitur

There must be a reason why you think its non-sequitur, otherwise you wouldn't have said it. Try to explain why you think it's a non-sequitur.

 

[Chriliman]

The reason atheism exists is because of the lack of addressing tough questions that cause conflict within the individual. However, avoiding tough questions for fear of internal conflict only restricts the acquisition of a solution that would solve the internal conflict.

The same cannot be said for theism. Theists are encouraged to address the tough questions that cause conflict within themselves in order to determine the truth behind the reason for their individual existence and all existence.

Atheists do not see a need to find the true reason behind their individual existence because their individual life is easier if they continue believing there is no reason behind their individual existence. Thus, the reason for atheism is to avoid the conflict that the belief that life has a greater meaning causes, in favor of the unjustified belief that life does not have a greater meaning or that their own individual life only has meaning when they're alive.

These beliefs are only maintained for one reason and that reason is to avoid the belief that life does have a greater meaning, which is apparently true, otherwise, why ask questions?

There had to be a reason behind the very first question that was ever asked. The reason behind that very first question could not have come from the one asking the question. The reason had to come from someone or something that already knows the answer and gives reasons that answer the questions.

 

[Archaeopteryx]

The reason atheism exists is because of the lack of addressing tough questions that cause conflict within the individual. However, avoiding tough questions for fear of internal conflict only restricts the acquisition of a solution that would solve the internal conflict.

The same cannot be said for theism. Theists are encouraged to address the tough questions that cause conflict within themselves in order to determine the truth behind the reason for their individual existence and all existence.

Atheists do not see a need to find the true reason behind their individual existence because their individual life is easier if they continue believing there is no reason behind their individual existence. Thus, the reason for atheism is to avoid the conflict that the belief that life has a greater meaning causes, in favor of the unjustified belief that life does not have a greater meaning or that their own individual life only has meaning when they're alive.

These beliefs are only maintained for one reason and that reason is to avoid the belief that life does have a greater meaning, which is apparently true, otherwise, why ask questions?

There had to be a reason behind the very first question that was ever asked. The reason behind that very first question could not have come from the one asking the question. The reason had to come from someone or something that already knows the answer and gives reasons that answer the questions.

Have you got anything better than a strawman? Again, not seeing any nutritional value in this "food" of yours.

 

[Chriliman]

Have you got anything better than a strawman? Again, not seeing any nutritional value in this "food" of yours.

The absence of a reason makes understanding the truth impossible.

This means the truth about existence will never be understood if there is no reason for existence. If there is a reason for existence then the truth for why anything exists can be understood.

What reason do you have for saying I'm constructing a strawman? Please explain your reasoning.

 

[Chriliman]

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[Chriliman]

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[Chriliman]

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[quatona]

Some simple questions to get you thinking.

Ok.

Why shouldn't there be a reason for everything?

Why shouldn't there be a reason for existence?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that I exist?

I don´t understand these questions.

A simple answer to the above is that the reason behind everything is to know the truth.

I don´t understand this statement.
The reason behind a coliflower is to know the truth?

I'll assume rebuttal questions will be:

Was there something to rebut? I must have missed it.

Why should there be a reason for everything?

Why should there be a reason for existence?

Why should there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why should there be a reason that I exist?

I don´t understand these questions.

A simple answer to these questions is that one wouldn't ask a question unless one had a reason to ask, thus supporting the idea that there is a reason behind everything, even the very questions one asks.

I do understand this statement. It just lacks any logic, and on top appears to thrive on a equivocation of "reason".

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

...There had to be a reason behind the very first question that was ever asked. The reason behind that very first question could not have come from the one asking the question. The reason had to come from someone or something that already knows the answer and gives reasons that answer the questions.

You'll have to explain your reasoning; it seems like another non-sequitur.

First questioner: "What you eat?" (rough translation)
Second questioner: "Why you ask?"
First questioner: "Me hungry" <-- reason for the question, coming from the one who asked.

 

[Ana the Ist]

Some simple questions to get you thinking.

Why shouldn't there be a reason for everything?

Why shouldn't there be a reason for existence?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why shouldn't there be a reason that I exist?

A simple answer to the above is that the reason behind everything is to know the truth.


I'll assume rebuttal questions will be:

Why should there be a reason for everything?

Why should there be a reason for existence?

Why should there be a reason that the universe exists?

Why should there be a reason that I exist?

A simple answer to these questions is that one wouldn't ask a question unless one had a reason to ask, thus supporting the idea that there is a reason behind everything, even the very questions one asks.

Thoughts?

What's the reason for earthquakes?

 

[asherahSamaria]

There must be a reason why you think its non-sequitur, otherwise you wouldn't have said it. Try to explain why you think it's a non-sequitur.

Because you are trying to amalgamate two different meanings for "reason".

One can have a reason to ask a question - A purpose in asking a question. Because humans are conscious beings and can instill a purpose to their actions.

There is not necessarily a purpose everything else. There is not necessarily a purpose as to why a rock lies in a certain place though there may be a series of prior events that resulted in it.

 

[GrowingSmaller]

{everything} + magic ingredient?

 

[Dave RP]

The reason atheism exists is because of the lack of addressing tough questions that cause conflict within the individual. However, avoiding tough questions for fear of internal conflict only restricts the acquisition of a solution that would solve the internal conflict.

The same cannot be said for theism. Theists are encouraged to address the tough questions that cause conflict within themselves in order to determine the truth behind the reason for their individual existence and all existence.

Atheists do not see a need to find the true reason behind their individual existence because their individual life is easier if they continue believing there is no reason behind their individual existence. Thus, the reason for atheism is to avoid the conflict that the belief that life has a greater meaning causes, in favor of the unjustified belief that life does not have a greater meaning or that their own individual life only has meaning when they're alive.

These beliefs are only maintained for one reason and that reason is to avoid the belief that life does have a greater meaning, which is apparently true, otherwise, why ask questions?

There had to be a reason behind the very first question that was ever asked. The reason behind that very first question could not have come from the one asking the question. The reason had to come from someone or something that already knows the answer and gives reasons that answer the questions.

I can only speak for one atheist, and that's me.

I don't agree with your reasoning at all. I am an atheist because, quite simply, I don't believe in God. I don't believe in the God of the Jews, Muslims, Christians although he may be the same god for all of them, I don't believe in the Gods of the Hindus, I don't know if there is a God in Buddhism, I have no idea if the Gods of the ancient Egyptians, Romans or Native Americans were (or are) any better than the God you worship, but I don't believe in any of them anyway, so it doesn't matter.

That doesn't mean that I avoid tough questions, I have asked myself why are some people good and some people are evil, I don't know the reasons why some people in society commit horrendous acts, child sexual abuse, murder, rape etc. I do know that many who purport to be practicing Christians/ Jews/ Muslims commit these crimes in spite of their supposed religious beliefs. My view has settled into just that some people are different and that's it, there is no devil tempting them, they're just not nice people. In the same way that some people are funny, some are entertaining, some are naturally jovial, some are dour and miserable.

Atheists ask the most difficult questions, how did the universe start, how did life form, are we alone in the universe, we don't need a God behind us to challenge ourselves and to think deeply. We just come to the conclusion that it is not created, the universe and all in it has evolved over billions of years. We do not avoid the question of a greater meaning, we just decide that there is no greater meaning and evolution has made us to be inquiring and exploring.

The reason behind the first question that was ever asked is simply that we have evolved the ability to think and to ask, simple as that. Was the question, how do I control fire, was it how do I make a better spear, was it will that tribe over there help us as we have no food....... at some point it also came to - who am I, where did I come from and where do I go. The vast range of religions in the world shows that in spite of your god (and everyone else s by the way) being "all powerful" there is still not one religion and still huge numbers of non believers.

 

[Chriliman]

Ok.


I don´t understand these questions.


I don´t understand this statement.
The reason behind a coliflower is to know the truth?



Was there something to rebut? I must have missed it.


I don´t understand these questions.


I do understand this statement. It just lacks any logic, and on top appears to thrive on a equivocation of "reason".

I'll rephrase to simplify:

If you can give me one good reason to believe life has no greater meaning, then I'll consider believing you.

If you don't care to give me a reason to consider your view as true, then that would show that atheism is possibly the only "thing" that has no clear reason behind it.

 

[Chriliman]

I can only speak for one atheist, and that's me.

I don't agree with your reasoning at all. I am an atheist because, quite simply, I don't believe in God. I don't believe in the God of the Jews, Muslims, Christians although he may be the same god for all of them, I don't believe in the Gods of the Hindus, I don't know if there is a God in Buddhism, I have no idea if the Gods of the ancient Egyptians, Romans or Native Americans were (or are) any better than the God you worship, but I don't believe in any of them anyway, so it doesn't matter.

That doesn't mean that I avoid tough questions, I have asked myself why are some people good and some people are evil, I don't know the reasons why some people in society commit horrendous acts, child sexual abuse, murder, rape etc. I do know that many who purport to be practicing Christians/ Jews/ Muslims commit these crimes in spite of their supposed religious beliefs. My view has settled into just that some people are different and that's it, there is no devil tempting them, they're just not nice people. In the same way that some people are funny, some are entertaining, some are naturally jovial, some are dour and miserable.

Atheists ask the most difficult questions, how did the universe start, how did life form, are we alone in the universe, we don't need a God behind us to challenge ourselves and to think deeply. We just come to the conclusion that it is not created, the universe and all in it has evolved over billions of years. We do not avoid the question of a greater meaning, we just decide that there is no greater meaning and evolution has made us to be inquiring and exploring.

The reason behind the first question that was ever asked is simply that we have evolved the ability to think and to ask, simple as that. Was the question, how do I control fire, was it how do I make a better spear, was it will that tribe over there help us as we have no food....... at some point it also came to - who am I, where did I come from and where do I go. The vast range of religions in the world shows that in spite of your god (and everyone else s by the way) being "all powerful" there is still not one religion and still huge numbers of non believers.

Can you give me any reason to believe life has no greater meaning other than the fact that you don't believe in God?

 

[Chriliman]

Because you are trying to amalgamate two different meanings for "reason".

One can have a reason to ask a question - A purpose in asking a question. Because humans are conscious beings and can instill a purpose to their actions.

There is not necessarily a purpose everything else. There is not necessarily a purpose as to why a rock lies in a certain place though there may be a series of prior events that resulted in it.

I want to use the word "reason" in the most logical sense.

For instance: there's either a reason that the universe exists or there is no reason that it exists.

I'm looking for a reason from an atheist perspective to consider believing that there is no reason for the existence of the universe.

Again, a reason must exist in order to determine the truth. If a reason does not exist then the truth that there is no reason for the existence of the universe can never be known.

 

[Chriliman]

You'll have to explain your reasoning; it seems like another non-sequitur.

First questioner: "What you eat?" (rough translation)
Second questioner: "Why you ask?"
First questioner: "Me hungry" <-- reason for the question, coming from the one who asked.

The reason behind that first question was that he is hungry. Since the reason exists the truth that he is hungry is made known.

 

[Dave RP]

Can you give me any reason to believe life has no greater meaning other than the fact that you don't believe in God?

I can only say that I personally believe that there is no greater meaning to life because I believe that we arrived here by the purest chance as a result of billions of years of evolution. There is no plan, no great meaning to anything - you live, you die, that's it. The fact that I don't believe that god exists only reinforces my opinion.

 

[Chriliman]

I can only say that I personally believe that there is no greater meaning to life because I believe that we arrived here by the purest chance as a result of billions of years of evolution. There is no plan, no great meaning to anything - you live, you die, that's it. The fact that I don't believe that god exists only reinforces my opinion.

So there's no way to determine if your opinion is true even if I believe your opinion is true? IOW, your opinion can't possibly be true because something can't be true if there is no reason for it to be true. Unless you think truth can be determined for no reason.