30 DEC 2013 by ideonexus

 We Should Think of Ourselves as Atoms

we should consider ourselves but as atoms of organized matter, whose pleasure or whose pain, whose existence in a state of organization, or whose non-existence in that state, is a matter of no importance in the laws and operations of Nature; we should view ourselves with the same feelings, as we view the leaf which rises in the spring, and falls in the autumn, and then serves no further purpose but to fertilize the earth for a fresh production; we should view ourselves but as the blossoms of ...
Folksonomies: vision meaning perspective
Folksonomies: vision meaning perspective
  1  notes

We are like the leaves on trees that are green for a season and then return to the Earth.

25 JAN 2012 by ideonexus

 "I Refute It Thus"

After we came out of the church, we stood talking for some time together of Bishop Berkeley's ingenious sophistry to prove the non-existence of matter, and that every thing in the universe is merely ideal. I observed, that though we are satisfied his doctrine is not true, it is impossible to refute it. I never shall forget the alacrity with which Johnson answered, striking his foot with mighty force against a large stone, till he rebounded from it, 'I refute it thus.'
Folksonomies: solipsism
Folksonomies: solipsism
  1  notes

An amusing anecdote about disproving solipsism and the idea that nothing really exists.

24 FEB 2011 by ideonexus

 What Does a Comedian Know About God?

Since there is nothing to know about god, a comedian knows as much about god as any one else. An atheist however is alone in knowing that there is nothing to know so probably has the edge. An Atheist comedian can make people laugh about belief or lack of it. A good atheist comedian can make people laugh AND think about belief or lack of it. An agnostic would say that since you can neither prove the existence nor the non-existence of God then the only answer to the question “Is there a God?” i...
Folksonomies: science atheism
Folksonomies: science atheism
  1  notes

...and Ricky Gervais' brilliant response.

24 FEB 2011 by ideonexus

 Science Doesn't Concern Itself With What Doesn't Exist

Science doesn’t concern itself with the non-existence of something. The periodic table of imaginary things would be too big for a classroom- infinitely big in fact, and rather pointless. It’s not trying to prove the non-existence of anything supernatural. All it knows is there is no scientific proof of anything supernatural so far. When someone presents a jar of God it will test it. If it finds some evidence of “godness” it will follow the evidence till it knows everything it can. The fact t...
Folksonomies: science atheism
Folksonomies: science atheism
  1  notes

Ricky Gervais describing why science only concerns itself with discovering truth, not what should be done with that truth.