the natural state

The other day, I encountered a rather interesting question that I hadn’t given much thought to until now. When dealing with the God question, who has the burden of proof in their claims? Atheists? Agnostics? Theists? Deists? Or all of the above?

For thousands of years, the supernatural has culturally been a pervasive topic on the minds of humans, and a majority of people today believe in a god. I believe that socially, atheists and agnostics have just as much an obligation to give reasons for their beliefs as theists, deists, and pantheists have for their respective beliefs.

Philosophically, though, does there exist a “natural state of things” that we can accept as reasonably knowable by everyone? If such a state existed, then any idea outside that state would require burden of proof by the bearer of the idea.

Can the material world qualify as this “natural state?” The metaphysical idealists would say no, but a vast majority of philosophers are metaphysical materialists or dualists, so I wish to set idealism aside.

Every one of us can touch a lemon and come to a reasonably similar consensus about its texture, color, mass, volume, and density. Can the same be said about God? Hardly. Some people believe in a vengeful, hateful, jealous God, while others believe in a compassionate, loving God. Some believe in an all powerful entity, while others believe God has limitations. Some believe in a single God, and some believe in multiple gods. Some people don’t even believe in a god at all and instead prescribe to some immaterial life force or soul that empowers us all. Where can one even remotely find something called a “consensus” in all that?

Therefore, I believe it is up to theists, deists, and pantheists to “prove” their idea in a philosophical arena. And by prove, I mean accumulate evidence that reads to a reasonable conclusion that something immaterial exists. Nothing in metaphysics can be “proven,” after all.

Is atheism or agnosticism a “default” of sorts? If you trapped a newborn baby in a windowless room for its entire life, would it grow up and believe in a god or gods? My guess is no, but I certainly hope that’s an experiment that will never be tested.

Other things:

Happy Independence Day, everyone! I must admit that I’m feeling less patriotic than previous years, though I’m sure that has little to do with the obvious things that might come to my readers’ minds. The United States seems to be losing its competitive edge in the scientific arena. Our policy seems to be heading away from environmental awareness. These kinds of things bother me.

My first day at UAB (August 19th) could not come sooner. I need a boost in my academic and social life, and I’m hoping that it’s the cure.

The new Bond trailer kicks so much ass. Watch now. :)

http://www.007.com/

Finally got Cubase up and running on my mac. Perhaps this will mean new recordings in the near future? Perhaps.

That’s all for now. Later, folks.

-B