Is there anything skeptics can't reduce

Arkan_Wolfshade said:
Then why are so many posters on this thread arriving at the same conclusion independently?
Click to expand...
Are you referring to those who adhere to the "default position" and say it's impossible to know? Indeed, it sounds more like a matter of convenience (in order to support their world view) than anything else.
 
Iacchus said:
Are you referring to those who adhere to the "default position" and say it's impossible to know? Indeed, it sounds more like a matter of convenience (in order to support their world view) than anything else.
Click to expand...

Well, since no one (including you) has ever been able to show the slightest bit of evidence that a Creator exists (not dreams, not mystical maunderings. . . evidence), then the "default position" sounds pretty good to me.
 
Iacchus said:
Are you referring to those who adhere to the "default position" and say it's impossible to know? Indeed, it sounds more like a matter of convenience (in order to support their world view) than anything else.
Click to expand...

No, I'm referring to the several of us that have come to the conclusion that you are "all or nothing" on the subject.
 
Arkan_Wolfshade said:
No, I'm referring to the several of us that have come to the conclusion that you are "all or nothing" on the subject.
Click to expand...
Yet it is quite clear to me (95% certain?) that these are the same folks who believe it's impossible to know. For example, how about yourself?
 
Genesius said:
Well, since no one (including you) has ever been able to show the slightest bit of evidence that a Creator exists (not dreams, not mystical maunderings. . . evidence), then the "default position" sounds pretty good to me.
Click to expand...
Yes, one of us is a liar.
 
Iacchus said:
Are you referring to those who adhere to the "default position" and say it's impossible to know? Indeed, it sounds more like a matter of convenience (in order to support their world view) than anything else.
Click to expand...
Genesius said:
... then the "default position" sounds pretty good to me.
Click to expand...
Which is to say, you are totally close-minded about the whole thing, and there's really not much point in trying to discuss it with you.
 
Iacchus said:
Which is to say, you are totally close-minded about the whole thing, and there's really not much point in trying to discuss it with you.
Click to expand...
Not at all. The discussion was about what, if anything could be said about "before the big bang". Here was your input.
Iacchus said:
Do you believe it's possible to be certain of anything? This, in fact, is the key.
Click to expand...
Okay, let's discuss what you mean by that, because from all appearance, you seem to be saying that since nothing is 100% certain, claiming knowledge about what existed before the big bang is not illogical.

Would you care to correct us on that interpretation? Seeing you actually clarify a statement you have made would be a welcome change.
 
Iacchus said:
Which is to say, you are totally close-minded about the whole thing, and there's really not much point in trying to discuss it with you.
Click to expand...

Nope, I'm quite open-minded on the subject.

Not so open-minded that my brain falls out, though.

I admit the possibility that a Creator exists. I'm not about to take your word for it. Your interpretations of your hallucinations aren't evidence. Now if you have any good reason why I should believe in a Creator, bring it on.
 
Genesius said:
Well, since no one (including you) has ever been able to show the slightest bit of evidence that a Creator exists (not dreams, not mystical maunderings. . . evidence), then the "default position" sounds pretty good to me.
Iacchus said:
Yes, one of us is a liar.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
If you're accusing me of lying, you'd better be able to back it up.

If you're confessing to lying, well, not too many of us would be surprised.
 
Iacchus said:
Yet it is quite clear to me (95% certain?) that these are the same folks who believe it's impossible to know. For example, how about yourself?
Click to expand...

"Impossible" is a very powerful word. I will state that "I do not know and I do not know if I will ever know" and that I can't come up with a specific example that would completely convince me. However, that does not mean that I feel I am unconvincible.
 
Tricky said:
Not at all. The discussion was about what, if anything could be said about "before the big bang". Here was your input.

Okay, let's discuss what you mean by that, because from all appearance, you seem to be saying that since nothing is 100% certain, claiming knowledge about what existed before the big bang is not illogical.

Would you care to correct us on that interpretation? Seeing you actually clarify a statement you have made would be a welcome change.
Click to expand...
No, I'm afraid you missed something here (as usual), when I told Mercutio I was quite certain that something did precede the Big Bang. And this was the very first post (of mine) prior to the comment you're referring to here.
 
Last edited:
Huntster said:
Perhaps they don't like Iacchus, and they all wish to discredit, defame, or otherwise harm him?
Click to expand...

To what end? It's an anonymous 'net forum. Which is more probable
(1) a number of people interpretted Iacchus' position in a similar way (whether or not that is what Iacchus was trying to convey) or
(2) a number of people are lying about how they interpretted Iacchus' position (for some reason, which I won't bother to speculate about)
 
Genesius said:
If you're accusing me of lying, you'd better be able to back it up.

If you're confessing to lying, well, not too many of us would be surprised.
Click to expand...
So, by claiming it's impossible to know, you are absolutely 100% certain that there is no evidence, correct?
 
Iacchus said:
So, by claiming it's impossible to know, you are absolutely 100% certain that there is no evidence, correct?
Click to expand...

Conclusions don't require 100% certainty, just a high deree of confidence. I'm not 100% that I'm genetically male. I've not tried to had kids yet, and I've never had a DNA test to double check. However, I have reasonbly good evidence that I am male.
 
Iacchus said:
So, by claiming it's impossible to know, you are absolutely 100% certain that there is no evidence, correct?
Click to expand...

I am absolutely 100% certain that I have never seen any credible evidence, nor has the existance of same been brought to my attention. I can't claim that such evidence does not exist, since I am not omniscient. I do agree that, barring the existence of evidence, it is impossible to know if a Creator exists.

So, do you have any evidence? If you are claiming your dreams as evidence, please explain how we may differentiate between descriptions of true religious visions and the hallucinations of a diseased mind.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom