rationalskepticism.org

amkerman wrote:I ask you who, WHO, can successfully cite more sources of authority as to definitions of certain concepts? The more authority you cite, the more likely I am to be swayed (I just adore arguing from falacies, don't you)... You cite a Tillich? I raise you a Neistche and a Hegel. You come at me with Berkeley? Well, I am ready with Plato in my back pocket. Heidegger? I respond quick with Kant and, dare I say, some Hobbes?



But me, in honesty, I'll take Socrates and just ask questions. Or, even better, just tell me what you personally believe, no need to cite authority for your beliefs. I'll tell you mine too, and we can just hash it out, all the while thinking for ourselves .

I agree with defining the terms of our arguments, but not with arguing that each other's definitions of words aren't correct. That's a sure-fire way to make sure we get nowhere fast, and are left there... talking about nothing, and talking about nothing as if it exists. Or, we are left arguing about the definitions, and never even get off the ground (which it appears has happened here).

As a behavioral scientist, which is what I think what you said you were by trade @[color=#CC0000][b]DefineGod,[/b][/color] do you ever deal with belief formation or belief destruction? If so, do you have any good books that you could recommend on the subject in particular.

It seems to be a theme on this forum. Some theist offers their personal definition of God, and some atheist, who doesn't believe that God exists, responds in turn by saying that definition of God is wrong, God IS something else... as if being non-dogmatic was a sin (I can hear it now, "what does he mean by sin?! ?!")

I can't help but get involved in the levity.

Great stuff all around.

Carry on... (slinks away to the background from whence he came, waiting in the wings to chime in again at a later point in time)