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Theism and Atheism
Nov. 3rd, 2007 11:08 pmA small thought that I had today.
When I reflect on the difference between the theist and the atheist I find the fulcrum to be occam's razor.
For the atheist the idea of a God creating the universe by an act of will is an unverifiable hypothesis, and improbable on that account. The burden of proof therefore rests with the Theist to demonstrate the existence of God.
For the theist, the order in which the universe finds itself seems the articulation of a will, and this possibility that it could have come together without some kind of guidance and first cause seems likewise altogether improbable. The burden of proof is therefore on the Atheist to demonstrate the absence of God.
And therein lies the issue - the question of God is either unprovable or indisputable depending on your hypothesis - this moves the question beyond the realm of ontology. And because of that, either position demands a certain amount of faith.
The first act of faith any human being takes makes ontology possible: it is the decision we must make early on in our lives to believe that our senses are delivering us an adequate model of the world outside our mind. Without this leap of faith, one may not interact with the world.
When I reflect on the difference between the theist and the atheist I find the fulcrum to be occam's razor.
For the atheist the idea of a God creating the universe by an act of will is an unverifiable hypothesis, and improbable on that account. The burden of proof therefore rests with the Theist to demonstrate the existence of God.
For the theist, the order in which the universe finds itself seems the articulation of a will, and this possibility that it could have come together without some kind of guidance and first cause seems likewise altogether improbable. The burden of proof is therefore on the Atheist to demonstrate the absence of God.
And therein lies the issue - the question of God is either unprovable or indisputable depending on your hypothesis - this moves the question beyond the realm of ontology. And because of that, either position demands a certain amount of faith.
The first act of faith any human being takes makes ontology possible: it is the decision we must make early on in our lives to believe that our senses are delivering us an adequate model of the world outside our mind. Without this leap of faith, one may not interact with the world.
