Slideshow Transcript

1. Slide 1: Think! Thin k! BELIEF & K O LED N W GE Visual representations of epistemology, theism, atheism and agnosticism… ?
2. Slide 2: Belief Think! The following graphic is not representative of the adherent percentages within the US or the relative correctness of claims, but simply illustrates the boundaries between beliefs. Theism refers to anyone that holds a belief in the supernatural. Atheism, in contrast, is anyone that lacks or does not hold a belief in the supernatural. Theism Atheism
3. Slide 3: Examples of Belief Think! Within theism, there are numerous belief systems. Below are a small number of examples. In Christianity alone there are no less than 30,000 denominations (Shermer). Theism Hinduism Islam Christianity Atheism Buddhism Judaism Taoism
4. Slide 4: Belief Think! Absolutism - belief that one’s claim is 100% true at all times. Theism that is absolute is referred to as “Dogmatic.” Almost no atheist claims absolute non- existence of any supernatural or theistic element. Theism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma
5. Slide 5: Belief Think! Deism - belief that deities do not interfere with the affairs of humans or laws of nature. Thomas Jefferson is an example of a deist. Theism Deism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma
6. Slide 6: Belief Think! Atheism can further be divided into two groups: • Implicit Atheists - lack belief, ignorant of the claim • Explicit Atheists - refute belief Theism Deism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
7. Slide 7: Belief Think! Explicit Atheism, those who refute theistic claims, includes a portion of individuals who believe theistic claims would be horrible if they were actually true called Anti-theists. Anti-theism Theism Deism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
8. Slide 8: Adherents in the US Think! Below is a graphic representation of the % of adherents in the US. 85% Are Theist 13% 2% Theism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
9. Slide 9: Example: Criminal Cases Think! In criminal cases, verdicts are either “guilty” or “not guilty.” A jury that is unsure of a suspect’s claimed guilt must rule “not guilty,” because they lack sufficient evidence, creating reasonable doubt. “Guilty” “Not Guilty” Believe “Guilty” Unsure Believe “Innocence” / Refute “Guilty” Anti-theism Theism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Believe Claim Explicit - Refute Belief Implicit - Lack beliefs
10. Slide 10: Street Version Think! These definitions are different from what is used most frequently on the street today: • Lacking belief is separate from what is considered “atheism”, and represents the middle-ground for people who aren’t sure what they believe. X (wrong) Theism Deism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
11. Slide 11: Street Version Think! These definitions are different from what is used most frequently on the street today: • Lacking belief is separate from what is considered “atheism”, and represents the middle-ground for people who aren’t sure what they believe. The label given to this supposed middle ground is “agnosticism.” Agnosticism has nothing to do with “belief,” but what you claim we can “know.” There is no middle-ground for belief. Theism Deism “Agnostic” Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
12. Slide 12: Street Version Think! These definitions are different from what is used most frequently on the street today: • Deism isn’t used often as a label and, instead, is absorbed into the theistic label. Theism Deism “Agnostic” Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
13. Slide 13: Street Version Think! These definitions are different from what is used most frequently on the street today: • Meanwhile, “atheism” is used to label anyone who outright refutes theistic claims. It’s assumed that all atheists have an inherent negative view of theism, so the term anti-theist seems redundant and isn’t widely used. By definition, there is no middle ground between theism and atheism. Anti-theism Theism “Agnostic” Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Implicit - Lack beliefs Explicit - Refute Belief
14. Slide 14: Knowledge Think! The following are distinct areas of spiritual knowledge: Gnostics - believe that one can know of the existence of deities through direct experience. Agnostics - believe that particular theistic claims are either unknowable as of now or are inherently unknowable. Gnostics Agnostics
15. Slide 15: Knowledge Think! A third group of thought on spiritual knowledge is called “Ignosticism.” Members of this group state that a coherent definition of God must be put forward before the question of the existence of God can be meaningfully discussed. Gnostics Agnostics Ignostics
16. Slide 16: Knowledge Think! Among agnostics there is a subset that is apathetic to the question of theism. They believe the existence or non- existence of deities cannot be known, but since any God or gods that may exist appear unconcerned for the universe or the welfare of its inhabitants, the question is left to academics. The term for members of this group is “Apathetic Agnostics.” Gnostics Agnostics Ignostics Apathetic Agnostics
17. Slide 17: Knowledge & Belief Think! Anti-theism Theism Deism Atheism Absolutism Absolutism Dogma Lack beliefs Within each subset of belief (above) are specific subsets of spiritual knowledge (below). Gnostics Agnostics Ignostics Apathetic Agnostics
18. Slide 18: Beliefs +Knowledge Think! ? Theists Deists Weak Strong Atheists Atheists Gnostics We can know, We can know, ---- ---- I believe I believe I lack belief I refute belief Agnostics We can’t know, We can’t know, We can’t know, We can’t know, I believe I believe I lack belief I refute belief Apathetic I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care I don’t care Agnostics about knowing, about knowing, about knowing, about knowing, I believe I believe I lack belief I refute belief Ignostics Define it first, Define it first, Define it first, Define it first, I believe I believe I lack belief I refute belief