Re: Materialism

Susan B (susan-brassfield@ou.edu)
Sat, 23 Oct 1999 19:31:16 -0500 (CDT)

At 10:45 AM 10/23/99 EDT, you wrote:
>Bertvan:
>
><< >Materialists believe all of nature can be explained by science. (and
> >probably described mathematically) It is a position which can not be
> >disproved.
>
>Susan:
>
> and is not especially true. It *is* true that you have to assume
> "materialism" in order to examine nature. If a supernatural influence could
> change the rules at a moment's notice, then you can never really know
> anything. Since we like to know things and are curious about things then we
> need to believe that the world is consistent, rational and isn't being
> stirred by capricious gods.>>
>
MikeBGene:
>What makes you think that supernaturalism equates with the action
>of capricious gods?

the gods can make things happen outside of the laws of physics, gravity,
etc. If you could change water into wine with a wave of your hand, someday,
sometime, you will. You'll do it for your own reasons which you probably
won't discuss with anyone. Theists contend that not only is there someone
who is capable of doing that, but does, upon request, if you pray hard
enough. Frankly I like the laws of physics, gravity, motion,
electromagnitism, exactly like they are. I like the idea that they can be
understood, that it's possible to figure them out. If you see an anomoly, or
something you didn't expect, you can study it and maybe find out what it is.
If the anomoly was caused by a bored Zeus entertaining his latest girlfriend
we can *never* understand it. It'll be just some god moving in mysterious ways.

Susan
--------
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