God, How Does He Feel To You?

[_Canucklehead]

Are deists also theists?

From Wikipedia:

"Theism is the belief in the existence of one or more divinities or deities. There is also a narrower sense in which theism refers to the belief that one or more divinities are immanent in the world, yet transcend it, along with the idea that divinity(s) is/are omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theism

I guess it depends on if we're using the broad definition of theism, or the more narrow definition. I would venture that, in the broad sense, Enstein was a theist. However, in the more narrow sense, he was not. The broad sense seems to include deism, whereas the narrow sense excludes it.

[_The Dude]

What a frustrating conversation.

Boring too. People on these boards spend too much time debating the pedantic definition of theism/deism/atheism/agnosticism, and trying to pigeonhole other people (Hitler, Einstein, etc.) into one slot or another. It's hard to believe veterans like Beastie and Kevin can still be interested in this topic. Maybe they need to get checked out for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Get some new drugs or something.

[_beastie]

I guess it depends on if we're using the broad definition of theism, or the more narrow definition. I would venture that, in the broad sense, Enstein was a theist. However, in the more narrow sense, he was not. The broad sense seems to include deism, whereas the narrow sense excludes it.

I think one must use the context of Einstein's statement to evaluate what he meant. He specifically stated he did not believe in a personal god. What was the reason he made that statement, in particular? Obviously he was differentiating his belief from the beliefs of those who believe in a personal god. That's obvious. So how else are we supposed to signify this but by use of the word "deist"? However, Einstein was probably not even a deist in the way that modern deists visualize - which is why it's important to define what we're talking about (which Kevin believes is irrelevant).

Spinoza has had influence beyond the confines of philosophy. The nineteenth century novelist, George Eliot, produced her own translation of the Ethics, the first known English translation thereof. The twentieth century novelist, W. Somerset Maugham, alluded to one of Spinoza's central concepts with the title of his novel, Of Human Bondage. Albert Einstein named Spinoza as the philosopher who exerted the most influence on his world view (Weltanschauung). Spinoza equated God (infinite substance) with Nature, consistent with Einstein's belief in an impersonal deity. In 1929, Einstein was asked in a telegram by Rabbi Herbert S. Goldstein whether he believed in God. Einstein responded by telegram: "I believe in Spinoza's God who reveals himself in the orderly harmony of what exists, not in a God who concerns himself with the fates and actions of human beings."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baruch_Spinoza

This is why I found Kevin's earlier statement: "who said God was nature?" so amusing.

Boring too. People on these boards spend too much time debating the definition of theism/desim/atheism/agnosticism, and trying to pigeonhole other people into one slot or another.

That may be true, but since Einstein came up, I think it's relevant to figure out what he believed or did not believe.

[_Canucklehead]

What a frustrating conversation.

Boring too. People on these boards spend too much time debating the pedantic definition of theism/deism/atheism/agnosticism, and trying to pigeonhole other people (Hitler, Einstein, etc.) into one slot or another. It's hard to believe veterans like Beastie and Kevin can still be interested in this topic. Maybe they need to get checked out for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Get some new drugs or something.

No way man, the problem is that we need more specific pigeon holes for people than the extant fuzzily-defined ones!! :P Also, all pigeon holes should come equipped with razor wire and guard towers.

[_beastie]

Boring too. People on these boards spend too much time debating the pedantic definition of theism/deism/atheism/agnosticism, and trying to pigeonhole other people (Hitler, Einstein, etc.) into one slot or another. It's hard to believe veterans like Beastie and Kevin can still be interested in this topic. Maybe they need to get checked out for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Get some new drugs or something.

Now, if only there were drugs to treat people who feel compelled to comment on topics that don't interest them at all, but want to make sure the rest of us know how boring it is.

[_The Dude]

Now, if only there were drugs to treat people who feel compelled to comment on topics that don't interest them at all, but want to make sure the rest of us know how boring it is.

I'll look into it. ;)

[_Canucklehead]

Even if Einstein was a theist, he was wrong. I mean, what the hell kind of spooky-ass action at a distance was he tripping on?!
[/silliness]

[_Canucklehead]

Boring too. People on these boards spend too much time debating the pedantic definition of theism/deism/atheism/agnosticism, and trying to pigeonhole other people (Hitler, Einstein, etc.) into one slot or another. It's hard to believe veterans like Beastie and Kevin can still be interested in this topic. Maybe they need to get checked out for obsessive-compulsive disorder. Get some new drugs or something.

Now, if only there were drugs to treat people who feel compelled to comment on topics that don't interest them at all, but want to make sure the rest of us know how boring it is.

LOL

[_beastie]

tee hee

[_Tarski]

Now I attribute these sensations to brain chemistry

No emotion is felt without brain chemistry getting in on the act. But it is not proved that all human perceptions are a result of brain chemistry. I am looking at my monitor. Does it really exist, or is my brain just confusing me?

No its not confusing you. But if you had a dream about asking that very question (and I have had such "philospophy dreams" as I call them) then the answer would be yes. One should not just focus of the immediate preception in asking what is real. its all about consitent connections and intersubjectivity (other people and sometimes a little time need to be in on the act if there is a question).