Question: Is
one side giving up the only real solution to this debate?
In regard to my question, I have concluded that the answer to this question depends on the person answering it. I think that people at opposite ends of the spectrum on this debate, the strict naturalists and the strict supernaturalists, would argue that yes, one side giving up is the only real solution to this debate. The naturalists hope that the supernaturalists will give up, and vice versa. Then there are people that believe that there are other solutions to this debate. For example, Clark believes that "this-world empiricism" is the solution to this debate. Personally, I really like Clark's concept of "this-world empiricism." However, as I stated in my Q&A, I know that my opinion is biased because I am a naturalist. I believe that Clark's pragmatic empiricism favors the naturalist side of the debate. Therefore, I am not sure how I would answer my own question. I would like to believe that one side giving up is not the only real solution to this debate, however, I am unaware of any solutions that are truly fair to both sides, if any do in fact exist.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Response to "Choking on Beliefs" by Aly Boughton
In this post, I will be responding to Aly Boughton's post, entitled "Choking on Beliefs"
http://aboughton.blogspot.com/2013/02/choking-on-beliefs.html
In Aly's post, she explains that she feels it is wrong to shove one's beliefs down another person's throat, and that it happens much too often. I agree with her that although many of us are guilty of doing this ourselves, it is still wrong and we should try not to. I agree with everything she says in her post, except for her last sentence. She ends her post by claiming, "If people could, with in reason, believe what they wanted without forcing their beliefs onto others, the naturalism vs supernaturalism 'culture war' wouldn't be as much of an issue." I somewhat disagree with this claim for a couple reasons. First, I think that even if people refrained from trying to force their beliefs onto others, there would still be just as much conflict between the two sides of the debate. Supernaturalists would still be just as opposed to the beliefs of naturalists, and vice versa. I feel like there would still be just as much tension between the two groups, even if they did not try to force their beliefs upon one another.
The other reason I disagree with Aly's last statement is because I believe that even if people refrained from forcing their beliefs on others, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue because it would still affect public policy decisions. For example, the controversial issues of gay marriage and abortion would still be just as relevant. The opinions of the two opposing sides would still be just as strong, and government officials would still have to make a decision regarding these issues. Therefore, I believe that although forcing one's beliefs upon others is wrong, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue if people refrained from doing so.
http://aboughton.blogspot.com/2013/02/choking-on-beliefs.html
In Aly's post, she explains that she feels it is wrong to shove one's beliefs down another person's throat, and that it happens much too often. I agree with her that although many of us are guilty of doing this ourselves, it is still wrong and we should try not to. I agree with everything she says in her post, except for her last sentence. She ends her post by claiming, "If people could, with in reason, believe what they wanted without forcing their beliefs onto others, the naturalism vs supernaturalism 'culture war' wouldn't be as much of an issue." I somewhat disagree with this claim for a couple reasons. First, I think that even if people refrained from trying to force their beliefs onto others, there would still be just as much conflict between the two sides of the debate. Supernaturalists would still be just as opposed to the beliefs of naturalists, and vice versa. I feel like there would still be just as much tension between the two groups, even if they did not try to force their beliefs upon one another.
The other reason I disagree with Aly's last statement is because I believe that even if people refrained from forcing their beliefs on others, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue because it would still affect public policy decisions. For example, the controversial issues of gay marriage and abortion would still be just as relevant. The opinions of the two opposing sides would still be just as strong, and government officials would still have to make a decision regarding these issues. Therefore, I believe that although forcing one's beliefs upon others is wrong, the "culture war" would still be just as much of an issue if people refrained from doing so.
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