Radio_Birdman wrote:

Gramsci wrote:why people think humans are exempt from the natural order of things never ceases to amaze me.

Because we are the most unique species in existence that allows us to come to these conclusions and separates us from the lower forms of life.

I'm so telling the dolphins you said that.

Gramsci wrote:I find this massively egotistical...

And your claim to have absolute certainty about the ultimate metaphysical nature of all reality is what? Circumspect and modest?

galanter wrote:

Gramsci wrote:I find this massively egotistical...

And your claim to have absolute certainty about the ultimate metaphysical nature of all reality is what? Circumspect and modest?

Certainly not, but neither do i make supernatural claims based on Iron Age beliefs.

I have no answers, but God is not in the gaps.

Radio_Birdman wrote:

Gramsci wrote:why people think humans are exempt from the natural order of things never ceases to amaze me.

Because we are the most unique species in existence that allows us to come to these conclusions and separates us from the lower forms of life.

"Lower life form"... you are yanking my chain right? Just because humans are capable of higher thoughts doesn't mean anything. It's special, yes, but not grounds for making supernatural claims about the nature of the universe.

As I just said to Phil, gaps don't equal God, or any other supernatural claim.

Gramsci wrote: Just because humans are capable of higher thoughts doesn't mean anything. It's special, yes, but not grounds for making supernatural claims about the nature of the universe.

A million years hence it may not even be considered that special.

Gramsci wrote:"Lower life form"... you are yanking my chain right? Just because humans are capable of higher thoughts doesn't mean anything. It's special, yes, but not grounds for making supernatural claims about the nature of the universe.

As I just said to Phil, gaps don't equal God, or any other supernatural claim.

No, but the gaps leave it pretty open ended to the possibility.

Scientifically speaking, death will be the permanent and irreversible loss of cognitive function, with the death of the cerebral cortex. All hope of recovering human thought and personality is then gone. Who is to say that the essence doesn't forgo a metamorphosis after this stage? Something we can't ascertain with science right now with the limited range of our technology?

Earwicker wrote:

Gramsci wrote:

A million years hence it may not even be considered that special.

You mean when the AI's finally take over or primates becoming genetically enhanced?

Gramsci wrote:

galanter wrote:

Gramsci wrote:I find this massively egotistical...

And your claim to have absolute certainty about the ultimate metaphysical nature of all reality is what? Circumspect and modest?

Certainly not, but neither do i make supernatural claims based on Iron Age beliefs.

I have no answers, but God is not in the gaps.

So you say. But you also say you have no answers.

C'mon...call yourself an agnostic already. It's almost defined as "I have no answers".

Radio_Birdman wrote:

rachael wrote:

Radio_Birdman wrote:Like what happens beyond death.

Uh, you die.

I'm talking about existence beyond the corporal form. But nevermind.

What a presumption! That there is something beyond death! Who has ever seen it? This is crazy talk!

How Vain! How demeaning of real life (which we know exists), to attempt to make it a mere preamble, an appetizer.

Crazy on its face.

Yeah. Doesn't it drive you crazy when people claim absolute certainty about the ultimate metaphysical nature of reality?