From: Lee Daniel Crocker (lee@piclab.com)
Date: Wed Jun 04 2003 - 14:14:42 MDT
> > So my current world view includes things like the laws of
> > physics, math, evolution, and the absence of anything resembling
> > historical theistic descriptions of God. But I am not "agnostic"
> > about God any more than I am "agnostic" about physics, just because
> > I can't offer complete, final, unassailable proof of either one.
>
> This is a false exclusion. If the simulation argument holds, then it is
> entirely possible to accept the laws of physics, math, evolution yet to
> also accept the possibility *as an undetermined probability at
> present*, and as a reality of one can demonstrate being within a
> simulation.
Well, yes, didn't I just say exactly that? What are you trying to
argue here? I'm arguing with your contention that there should be
some correlation between the simulation argument and theism. I disagree,
because I admire the SA and am an atheist. You're talking about
something different here, and I'm not sure what that is.
> Ah, but can you point to an atom? Are they directly observable? No, you
> must infer they exist based on indirect observation, using tools to
> mediate the experience (and if this were a sim, such tools should
> function the same way, whether or not atoms really exist or are just
> individually simulated whenever you use an electron microscope.)
>
> The Slashdot discussion pointed this out, that a sim doesn't need even
> to simulate every atom all the time, since macroscale phenomena are all
> we are able to observe directly. Atomic scale and subatomic phenomena
> are only observed via mediation technologies.
Again, I agree with all of this. When have I said otherwise?
> Only if you refuse to accept the simulation argument taxonomy of
> possible universes and instead adhere to strict materialism. It is self
> dishonesty, at least for anyone claiming to be a scientist.
>
> There is a difference between thinking there is more likely than not no
> God, and claiming to know that there is no God. One is agnosticism and
> the other is atheism.
>
> Claiming knowledge in the absence of evidence is the very definition of faith.
Please point out where I have ever claimed knowledge in the absence of
evidence. If you're going to argue with someone, you might try actually
addressing the arguments made instead of making up your own.
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