Ask an atheist

[ciphergoth]

In a discussion about religion in wildeabandon's journal, meihua writes: "this seems to have turned into me interrogating you. [...] Is there anything you'd like to challenge me on, instead?"

I think it's only fair enough to open up my own beliefs to the challenges of others, since I'm always keen to respond when theists invite me to give my perspective on some aspect of their beliefs as wildeabandon has in a series of recent posts. So, is there anything you'd like me to respond to?

Rules:

• You don't have to read this thread. This post is an invitation, not a challenge; if you don't like to read me talking about this then feel free to skip this.
• Be honest. Please don't advance arguments you don't personally buy, unless you're also an atheist and you want to discuss how best to counter it.
• If you come to change your mind about the validity of an argument, think about how you can generalise the lesson learned so as not to misassess similar arguments in future.
• Don't just match the politeness of what you reply to, but try to exceed it - see Postel's Law. Otherwise it is very easy to end up with a thread where each contributor thinks they are merely matching the snark level of the other, and yet the thread starts with the very slightest suggestion of rudeness and finishes with "please choke on a bucket of cocks".

Comments

[keirf.livejournal.com]

As an atheist I assume that you believe the universe emerged without any conscious intention behind it. What's your take on consciousness, and determinism versus free will?

[ciphergoth.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty much a determinist, modulo quantum mechanics which doesn't really change the philosophy here. I am pretty much persuaded by the account of consciousness provided by Consciousness Explained.

I made quite a few comments here on my beliefs re determinism and free will...

Consciousness Explained (away?)

[jhg.livejournal.com]

Really?

While it has much to recommend it (I was particularly impressed by the repudiation of the perfect access we were presumed, historically, to have to our own thoughts)Dennett's position is pretty extreme.