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Recent content by nicknack28

  1. nicknack28

    How can you be certain that your beliefs are not delusions?

    Sometimes a pause is in order to simply appreciate the obvious thought and time that is put into a post. This is one of those times. Thank you for sharing, GalaxyQuest (which just so happens to be my favorite comedy of all time).
  2. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    I retract that statement in light of my latest post. I believe how I described it there is much more accurate than in my attempt that you've quoted. All action is in one's self-interest/for one's benefit/for one's gain in the short term. I definitely agree that this would be false for the long...
  3. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    I see our main line of disagreement. When I've been speaking of self-interest or benefit I haven't been meaning in a total/net value way. I've meant an "at that moment in time" sense. Like the kid with the lunch money. He could realize that by giving the guy his money he could be encouraging...
  4. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    I agree that many many times it will be an overall loss, but at the time they would still be agreeing to whichever option they prefer. If they knew that it would be an overall loss and still decided to make that decision, they are still agreeing to the option they'd prefer. "Benefit" in this...
  5. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    And quickly regarding the point on alcoholism, of course becoming an alcoholic doesn't benefit the person in the long run. However, each time they give into their alcoholism they are doing so for the benefit of not feeling the effects of the absence of alcohol. It is still self-interest even...
  6. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    We would not take any action whatsoever if we did not feel we benefited from it in some way. It's like making a trade. The only time anyone ever trades anything is when they believe they are better off doing so than not doing so. It's the same with taking any sort of action. The only time...
  7. nicknack28

    How can you be certain that your beliefs are not delusions?

    I understand. Change is hard. Thinking critically and independently will get easier with practice though. Because many people don't seem to take the time to legitimately question themselves about their own beliefs, someone else -- the thread poster -- has volunteered his services. Being...
  8. nicknack28

    Please help me understand this argument

    I didn't finish reading the entire thread quite yet. The Bible actually has accounts of prayer making God change his mind about things (an individual's pleading having impact), though that is actually more disturbing than heartening. Bushmaster has given plentiful reasons as well.
  9. nicknack28

    The Importance of Truth [Atheists/Agnostics, Mainly]

    I can't give a very intelligent response on this topic. I'm not entirely convinced yet that ethics are entirely based on evolution -- mostly because I haven't researched it enough -- and I have trouble coming to any conclusions on how I think the magnitude of human intelligence (compared to...
  10. nicknack28

    How can you be certain that your beliefs are not delusions?

    I agree with the varioust statements saying that we cannot know whether anything is delusional. I came to similar conclusions in another recent thread, arguing that what we trust above all other things is the accuracy of our sensory perceptions... ... and I also think a red pill/blue pill...
  11. nicknack28

    Please help me understand this argument

    I don't know much about magic but have read that how it is used at least in many pagan traditions that it isn't some cause and effect words equals desires mechanism. Magic is (keep in mind my disclaimer of ignorance) using your will to influence the natural world, but usually such must be...
  12. nicknack28

    How can you be certain that your beliefs are not delusions?

    It is this part I disagree with. Something is only a delusion if it's false. Sure we can't ever know with 100% confidence that something is true or false but that does not mean everything is a delusion. I see beliefs as products of bodies of evidence (everybody constructs their beliefs using...
  13. nicknack28

    If you were factually proven wrong...

    Not at all. The example I gave in the first post was based off of my own beliefs, but I'll write them out briefly (I've mentioned them elsewhere as well so forgive the possible redundancy). They simply concern philosophy, science, and morality, and can be referred to using "isms": Empiricism...
  14. nicknack28

    If you were factually proven wrong...

    As an atheist I no longer have religious beliefs but I certainly have other beliefs, and many of them build upon each other. Some of them are very fundamental to how I operate as well. I believe I could let them go without too much trouble but one can't really predict such things too greatly...
  15. nicknack28

    If you were factually proven wrong...

    Partly because I wasn't sure how I would react myself. It's great to think to yourself that you would accept things as they are and move on with improved knowledge and a better understanding of things... but that is simply an ideal. How would I honestly react? I don't know. The world would...