Spot
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Spot commented on The Dream Problem (the Matrix) on December 6, 2008, 3:35 PM
Sometimes such questions may seem impossible; however, it could just be the case that we have not yet figured out how to solve them. I think asking these questions serve some sort of purpose even if it is only to stimulate thoughts. That is, its a good thing that we ask these "crazy" questions. Questioning in such as manner keeps us away from dogmatic believes and drives us to find true knowledge. So I'd say keep asking questions even if they seem impossible to answer.
Spot commented on The Dream Problem (the Matrix) on December 1, 2008, 11:16 PM
I agree with you musyck to a certain extent. I was sitting in class and a funny thought occurred to me. It should elicit a smile from you. What came first the God or the Man?
Spot commented on The Dream Problem (the Matrix) on December 1, 2008, 5:44 PM
Thanks everyone for the responses:Herbie: I believe Descartes did not set out originally to prove the existence of God. Rather, he was working on his Method of Doubt and had to find a way around the "Evil Genie" problem. The only solution he could think of was the existence of an infinite perfect being. (though don't quote me on that, haha)As for the criticism that we could never know if we lived in a dream world, then hypothesizing about it is useless. I wonder if you feel the same way about asking about the existence of God and/or Heaven.Verisoph and Musycks:Solipsism is an interesting idea. There is another interpretation of solipsism in which one believes that he/she is the only thinking being. Therefore, everyone else is just a robot. What happens when you rip that solips head off and reveal to him/her that there is nothing inside other than gears and chips?
Spot commented on The Dream Problem (the Matrix) on November 24, 2008, 1:00 AM
On a similar note, Descartes struggled with another problem. He wondered how we could ever know anything to be irrefutably true. That is, how can know 100% that we are right about something. He developed a method called Methodological Doubt. He would discard anything that could be refuted, including sensory experiences, physical properties, even mathematical truths. Then, he built on innate ideas until he came to an ultimate conclusion. So the question is "We can be absolutely certain we know something on a platonic scale and still be wrong about it. Therefore, is it ever possible to right about anything?P.S. Thanks everyone for your responses, this is part of philosophy assignment; therefore, the more responses I receive the better it shall turn out.
Spot commented on How do people know when God is calling them? on December 16, 2008, 3:06 AM
Some say hearing voices makes you schizophrenic. JGER says that you should just immerse yourself into religion and believe you can hear God's voice. I say you should immerse yourself into the Harry Potter novels and you'll eventually perform "magic". Both suggestions are ridiculous. Why would God want to call you? Does he have a plan or an interest in you? That should certainly make him imperfect. Some might say you can just feel it. However, studies have been done that show religious experiences have very similar effects on the brain as certain psychedelics. (I haven't done any reading that suggests it, just a memory from class. I'm sure you can find articles online)No one hears God, they delude themselves into believing that what they are hearing are the words of God because they are so profound or epiphanic.