Critical thinking, Why? Because apparently I am rubbish at it.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Fellow Posters,

https://www.bbc.co.uk/videos/c0jpp8zzv83o 

1. Confirmation Bias. Guilty yer Honour. Hey! it operate at an unconscious level, I am human ( no I really am  ).

2. Embrace Nuance and complexity. Well not to sure about nuance but I do like a simple life.

3.Intellectual humility. Never liked the word intellectual, always suspicious if someone tells me they are a intellectual

Humility
In simple terms, humility is being modest and not proud. It means acknowledging your limitations and not thinking you're better than others. It's about having a realistic view of yourself and not boasting about your achievements.

4. Intellectual empathy is the ability to understand and appreciate perspectives different from one's own, even if those perspectives challenge one's own beliefs or values. It involves stepping outside of one's own frame of reference to understand the reasoning and motivations behind another person's way of thinking. This skill is crucial for productive dialogue and can help identify hidden common ground.

5. Check your sources. Well yes this is very good advice, I will definitely take this one on board👍

6. Avoid fallacies. Oh I see Strawmen everywhere.

Now if anyone would like to include any more hints and tips, please, I am a empty book waiting to be filled with wisdom. 

Gonnagle.

[Aruntraveller]

I don't know about North of the border but here down in this part of these blighted isles nuance and complexity have left the room so to speak. Easy answers are only allowed no matter how unrealistic.

More generally I have only one tip, hold your loved ones close to protect them as best you can from the shitstorm heading our way.

I realise my points have little to do with critical thinking but like nuance and complexity, it is in very short supply around here.

[Free Willy]

I think we need to know why for some people critical thinking equals atheism.

[Gonnagle]

I think we need to know why for some people critical thinking equals atheism.

Dear Vlad,

Come on! get with the programme, the Atheists are the best at critical thinking, they have had their confirmation bias removed ( small operation when you become a Atheist ) and don't forget the shoe leather ( some of them may be writing to the new Holy Father for recompense ) they have walked miles and miles in theists shoes ( I hear its a new Atheist exercise regime, keeps their steps up ) not forgetting Intellectual humility, every Atheist post on here drips humility ( the mods are upset about the clean up bills ) oh! and I am forgetting the nuances and complexities, there ain't no God and last but not least they have all checked their sources, they have all read the Bible, Torah and Koran cover to cover, the Atheists are are all experts at critical thinking, so just leave it, leave it

Gonnagle.

PS: Critical thinkers my ass

[Free Willy]

Dear Vlad,

Come on! get with the programme, the Atheists are the best at critical thinking, they have had their confirmation bias removed ( small operation when you become a Atheist ) and don't forget the shoe leather ( some of them may be writing to the new Holy Father for recompense ) they have walked miles and miles in theists shoes ( I hear its a new Atheist exercise regime, keeps their steps up ) not forgetting Intellectual humility, every Atheist post on here drips humility ( the mods are upset about the clean up bills ) oh! and I am forgetting the nuances and complexities, there ain't no God and last but not least they have all checked their sources, they have all read the Bible, Torah and Koran cover to cover, the Atheists are are all experts at critical thinking, so just leave it, leave it

Gonnagle.

PS: Critical thinkers my ass

Indeed, thank you for your timely admonition and corrective epistolary Mr G.

I think in the euphoria of receiving the gift of critical thinking (£10.99 at Waterstone's)some have forgotten to use it on themselves

[Aruntraveller]

Dear Vlad,

Come on! get with the programme, the Atheists are the best at critical thinking, they have had their confirmation bias removed ( small operation when you become a Atheist ) and don't forget the shoe leather ( some of them may be writing to the new Holy Father for recompense ) they have walked miles and miles in theists shoes ( I hear its a new Atheist exercise regime, keeps their steps up ) not forgetting Intellectual humility, every Atheist post on here drips humility ( the mods are upset about the clean up bills ) oh! and I am forgetting the nuances and complexities, there ain't no God and last but not least they have all checked their sources, they have all read the Bible, Torah and Koran cover to cover, the Atheists are are all experts at critical thinking, so just leave it, leave it

Gonnagle.

PS: Critical thinkers my ass

You sound very bitter. Relax, there probably isn't a God. Enjoy life.

Still, I can confirm one thing, my confirmation bias has not been removed, as every time I read a post like this it confirms my opinion of you religionist types.

[Stranger]

...there ain't no God ...

Since you won't say what you mean by the word 'God' this is also meaningless coming from you, as is the term 'atheist'. You cannot rationally contribute to the debate about whether a God exists or not, if you won't say what you mean by the word.

All of what you say on the subject is just meaningless white noise. 

[Gonnagle]

You sound very bitter. Relax, there probably isn't a God. Enjoy life.

Still, I can confirm one thing, my confirmation bias has not been removed, as every time I read a post like this it confirms my opinion of you religionist types.

Dear Arun,

Bitter! perplexed maybe but I am definitely one of those religionist types

Gonnagle.

[Gonnagle]

Since you won't say what you mean by the word 'God' this is also meaningless coming from you, as is the term 'atheist'. You cannot rationally contribute to the debate about whether a God exists or not, if you won't say what you mean by the word.

All of what you say on the subject is just meaningless white noise. 

Dear Stranger,

If you used this critical thinking that you keep throwing at everyone you would know as well as me that since man stepped out of the cave he has tried to define/describe God, never has and I don't think ever will, my very humble and also very weak definition, God is every best quality that any man can hope to rise too, the question I would ask you is, what are they?

Gonnagle.

[Maeght]

Dear Arun,

Bitter! perplexed maybe but I am definitely one of those religionist types

Gonnagle.

What are you perplexed about?

[Gonnagle]

What are you perplexed about?

Dear Maeght,

On this forum, the greatest of perplexities, this Atheism.

Gonnagle.

[Stranger]

If you used this critical thinking that you keep throwing at everyone you would know as well as me that since man stepped out of the cave he has tried to define/describe God...

Nonsense. Early humans believed in all sorts of sprits and gods. The modern idea of monotheism is relatively recent.

...never has and I don't think ever will, my very humble and also very weak definition, God is every best quality that any man can hope to rise too...

What about women? Anyway, this suggests that your idea of God is merely human goodness, which clearly exists, and I don't deny the existence of humanity's 'best qualities', I just find it seriously weird to call them 'God'.

What now is an 'atheist' from your perspective? Somebody who does deny humanity's best qualities?

Where are these people?

[Maeght]

Dear Maeght,

On this forum, the greatest of perplexities, this Atheism.

Gonnagle.

What perplexes you about atheism?

[Aruntraveller]

Dear Maeght,

On this forum, the greatest of perplexities, this Atheism.

Gonnagle.

I don't see why you find it difficult to grasp. Some of us are not convinced by the arguments and supposed facts that you religionists put forward.
I cannot believe in something I don't think exists. It is not complicated. Now you may claim that I need to undergo some sort of revelation or if I just try hard enough, study long enough, I will understand this thing called God. But, I just won't. It makes no sense to me.

As to religion that is practised by the likes of Christianity, Islam and to a lesser extent Hinduism, on a personal level I have found them at times to be hateful and judgemental. Other religions I know less about and so won't comment on them, but as many adherents to each religion claim that theirs is the only true way, then clearly some religionists are lying or misguided.

Don't even get me started on the hypocrisy...... 

[Stranger]

On this forum, the greatest of perplexities, this Atheism.

But you've pretty much just defined atheism as not existing. People who call themselves atheists generally deny the existence of 'supernatural' beings with magical powers, not human goodness.

As far as your personal idea of God (as just stated in #8) goes, we are all theists. I think your use of language is utterly bizarre and absurdly confusing, but the 'God' you say you believe in (humanity's best qualities) clearly exists, even if it's vague, subjective, and nebulous. For each person, their idea of humanity's best qualities will exist, if only as an aspiration.

Not the slightest idea why this is connected to religion, though. Why all the Christian mumbo jumbo? What's the point in all the worship and praying if God is just humanity's best qualities?

[Gonnagle]

Dear Stranger and Arun,

Thank you not bad for a first attempt, was that bloody hard.

Now do not lie, please ( that is a very smiley please ) did I get you thinking!


Arun, a revelation, no I don't think so, study maybe, practice definitely, I am still practicing.

Stranger, humanity's best qualities, an aspiration!

But sincerely gentlemen, a very true sincerely, thank you.

Gonnagle.

[Gonnagle]

Dear Stranger,

My God clearly exists, does he/she/it? thank you again.

And I think we do agree on something, I to sometime wonder, why all the Christian mumbo jumbo!

Gonnagle.

[Dicky Underpants]

But you've pretty much just defined atheism as not existing. People who call themselves atheists generally deny the existence of 'supernatural' beings with magical powers, not human goodness.

As far as your personal idea of God (as just stated in #8) goes, we are all theists. I think your use of language is utterly bizarre and absurdly confusing, but the 'God' you say you believe in (humanity's best qualities) clearly exists, even if it's vague, subjective, and nebulous. For each person, their idea of humanity's best qualities will exist, if only as an aspiration.

Not the slightest idea why this is connected to religion, though. Why all the Christian mumbo jumbo? What's the point in all the worship and praying if God is just humanity's best qualities?

Sounds like the 'theology' of Don "Sea of Faith" Cupitt. Which of course is just sexed up atheism.

[Free Willy]

Sounds like the 'theology' of Don "Sea of Faith" Cupitt. Which of course is just sexed up atheism.

OK Richard, here's your challenge.

"Sexup", as you quaintly put it, the following....
"Atheism is merely the lack of belief in God and gods"

*It was an effort to stay awake while typing that"

[Stranger]

Sounds like the 'theology' of Don "Sea of Faith" Cupitt. Which of course is just sexed up atheism.

Well, exactly. Despite his declared perplexity, Gonnagle appears to be an atheist himself as he doesn't seem to believe that any God exists outside of the minds of humans...

[Free Willy]

Well, exactly. Despite his declared perplexity, Gonnagle appears to be an atheist himself as he doesn't seem to believe that any God exists outside of the minds of humans...

That's all very well but what is this "sexed up atheism" Dicky talks about?

[Gordon]

That's all very well but what is this "sexed up atheism" Dicky talks about?

I haven't read his stuff for a while but I recall his interview in the Philosophy Bites series - from memory, he saw himself as a 'non-realist' Christian in that he found God/Christianity to be useful as metaphor without needing to believe that it was in any sense true of real.

Sounds to me like a bit of unnecessary window dressing - but then I prefer my atheism blunt and stark (just to annoy you, Vlad) 

[Maeght]

Dear Stranger,

My God clearly exists, does he/she/it? thank you again.

And I think we do agree on something, I to sometime wonder, why all the Christian mumbo jumbo!

Gonnagle.

Well, I'm perplexed now by that and to be honest, most of your posts. No idea what point you are making most of the time. Probably my problem but thought I'd just mention that.

[Free Willy]

I haven't read his stuff for a while but I recall his interview in the Philosophy Bites series - from memory, he saw himself as a 'non-realist' Christian in that he found God/Christianity to be useful as metaphor without needing to believe that it was in any sense true of real.

Sounds to me like a bit of unnecessary window dressing - but then I prefer my atheism blunt and stark (just to annoy you, Vlad) 

Thanks for that, Gordon but I am left wondering if he and other...I suppose in honour of Dicky, we should call them "sexed up atheists, If they call God a metaphor, what is he a metaphor for?

[Nearly Sane]

Thanks for that, Gordon but I am left wondering if he and other...I suppose in honour of Dicky, we should call them "sexed up atheists, If they call God a metaphor, what is he a metaphor for?

To quote Cupitt
"I take the idea of God as something like a guiding spiritual ideal that you use to orientate your life by, God is our values, God symbolises the goal of spiritual life.