Intelligence and God

[Jon Miller]

Sure... as is the prediction of the existence of God.

JM

[DrS]

But that positive prediction must have some a priori reason. It's not reasonable to just 'make stuff up'.

[Jon Miller]

I also don't have any evidence.. neither do you.

What is the difference?

JM

[Jon Miller]

The existence of God seems most reasonable with my set of assumptions. The nonexistence of God seems most reasonable to yours.

That is why barring any evidence, you have a prediction of no God. While I have a prediction that God exists.

JM

[DrS]

So, your a priori, is your set of 'assumptions'.

What are those assumptions?

If your assumptions are shown to be poorly reasoned, will you change your prediction, or do you in fact have a belief?

[Jon Miller]

Oh, I admit I have beleifs.

Everyone that does science has numerous.

Assumptions are only poorly reasoned if they are inconsistent.

JM

[DrS]

I don't admit to having beliefs. I only admit to making predictions based on evidence (physical, mathematical, and past experience).

[Jon Miller]

If you don't beleive in Empiricism you can't do science.

Basically, I don't think you have really thought about the assumptions that you live by.

JM
(Even if you sometimes doubt them.)

[DrS]

Past experience. Empiricism has worked in the past in every case where it was applied, and I predict it will continue to do so.

[Jon Miller]

Ick, I suggest reading some philosophy books actually. I wouldn't normally suggest this, but it would clear up some glaring misconceptions you have.

JM

[DrS]

If they're quite so glaring, maybe you can explain.

And I'm still waiting for those assumptions.

[Jon Miller]

Your post shows that you don't know what you are talking about. I don't like discussing philosophy, so I suggest you read what others have written instead.

JM

[DrS]

So... you can't tell me why I'm wrong, only that I am, and that I should read 'some philosophy'?

C'mon man, can't you be more specific? I love being shown that I'm wrong.

[Jon Miller]

Originally posted by DrS
Past experience. Empiricism has worked in the past in every case where it was applied, and I predict it will continue to do so.

You have at least 3 assumptions here. The issue is that they are so engrained into you that you don't recognise them as assumptions.

JM

[DrS]

Ok, ok... so I'm guessing assumption 1 is something like 'I can trust my memory', and stuff along those lines?