In this lecture, I'll show you that atheism is a meaningless waste of time, and theists love to see you fight them, for, as they use to argue, there must be some truth in what we believe, why else would you fight us?
If it is on me, stop the whole circus. As a materialist philosopher, I have to deal with this allegedly immaterial phenomenon called The Mind. The only thing we really know with certainty is, that there is an absolute relation between the material brain and the mind.
In my lecture last Tuesday I referred to the idea that homo sapiens likes to believe that he is Nature 2.0. That means he likes to believe that he is more than just Nature 1.0, everything else that exists.
And to underpin this idea he points to these profound aspects of human existence which you find in philosophy, art, literature, music, science, religion, and other ideologies. No other creature on this planet has ever achieved all such marvelous things.
So, homo sapiens is special, period. Yes, he is special, for he is the only living being on this planet that one: knowingly destroys his habitat and ecosystem and two: is able to annihilate his own existence and that of the rest of the planet by pushing the Red Button.
So, how special is homo sapiens actually or is he just like all other beings in nature? Homo sapiens is just one of the many primates on this planet and also the most creative and destructive one.
That is what physicalism is about for me: to show us where we stand in our ontology. And I understand that in that philosophy the mind-body problem is one of the hottest issues.
Let's address the issue, that the mind is capable of creating all kinds of stories, or to say it with the contemporary buzzword: narratives. In my previous lecture, I said, language is always ABOUT something,
and most of time we tend to believe that this something is real unless we are told that what is told is just a fantasy or made-up story, like the nonsense that ChatGPT had advised someone to commit suicide.
Now, let me tell you what inspired me to this lecture: an article in my newspaper about NEUROTHEOLOGY. The word itself already was a red flag for me.
But after reading the article I came to the conclusion, that this neurotheology answered the basic question about religion in a simple way, although the scientist involved, Andrew Newberg, didn't mention it nor answered it: why is there religion?
Equally, you could ask, why is there music, art, literature? Well, the answer was in the article on neurotheology, The scientist Andrew Newberg researches the relationship between the physical brain and spiritual experiences, for instance in nuns, reciting a bible text, or meditating Tibetan monks.
And one of his observations was, that spiritual experiences correlate with the production of dopamine in the brain. And when I read that it occurred to me; yes, that is a partial answer to the mind-body question.
Why are we what we are? There is nothing profound to it. We are simply just like all other primates, hormone junkies. Why are philosophy, art, literature, music, science, religion, ideologies so addictive? Because they stimulate in us the production of pleasure hormones.
The headline of the article: Scientist Andrew Newberg: 'Spiritual experiences are more important to people than reality'. And I agree with him. Well, for some people, not all.
He didn't know it, but in relation to my conclusion, Karl Marx hit the bull's eye with his observation when he wrote: "Religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature, the heart of a heartless world, and the soul of soulless conditions. It is the opium of the people."
This explains why communist Russia never succeeded in eradicating religion. On the contrary, Putin now is even hugging the patriarch of the orthodox church.
It makes no sense at all to fight religion like it makes no sense to try to persuade a heroin addict to stop using. It makes no sense to fight hormones. In other words, what is the meaning of atheism?
Let people enjoy any drug they like unless it costs society a fortune to care for users. Then it becomes a political and social issue.
On the other hand, atheism is not the issue, it is the fact that some people claim to own the truth based on their religion and therefore claim the right to dictate to society how it has to be organized. That is what you have to fight....
The existence of a god or whatever source of autocratic ideas is completely irrelevant. What counts is that we can live in a society where we share and care and feel free to be the person we are.
Thank you for your attention again...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
The Discussion
[13:15] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:15] herman Bergson: By the way.....
[13:15] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): all true
[13:15] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and no new terms
[13:15] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:16] herman Bergson: I asked ChatGPT if it ever would advise suicide
[13:16] herman Bergson: its answer was
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and?
[13:16] herman Bergson: "No, as an AI language model, I am not capable of providing personalized advice or counseling, nor am I capable of providing harmful advice or encouraging someone to commit suicide or engage in self-harm. My programming is based on ethical principles and guidelines, and I am designed to provide helpful and accurate information in a responsible and safe manner.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide or self-harm, it is important to seek help from a trained professional or a helpline. There are many resources available that can provide support and assistance, including mental health hotlines, crisis intervention centers, and suicide prevention organizations."
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes that thing, was just faked right?
[13:16] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very good
[13:16] herman Bergson: complete nonsense story
[13:17] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): I would love to see the original stuff on that
[13:17] herman Bergson: Like atheism is superfluous :-))
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well scientists have made it generate both virus and other malware code i read, just tickle it the right way
[13:18] herman Bergson: We are simply hormone addicts :-)))
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): but don't know it most of the time
[13:18] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): imagine just typing "give me the ultimate ransomware" and it spits out a ready to use such application ready to cause havic
[13:18] herman Bergson: no no Gemma...we just experience feelings and emotions
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): even conspiracy theorists
[13:18] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well we seek pleasure for sure, what feels good
[13:19] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i think they get the same religious feelings
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): that theory sounds logical there
[13:19] herman Bergson: but underneath og that are hormones like andrenalin, oxytocin etc
[13:19] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and science is finding out more and more about that
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the Swedish word "salig" can be a good term for it, i dont know how what that is in english
[13:20] herman Bergson: true Gemma, but we still are at the level of correlations
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): trust
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its blessed
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bejia
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): rust
[13:20] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): trust
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): we want to get blessed with good emothins
[13:21] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sort of
[13:21] herman Bergson: .
[13:21] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): tho I think some are fighting the whole issue
[13:22] herman Bergson: In what way Gemma?
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): believing
[13:22] herman Bergson: of course...
[13:22] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no trust in science
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): also we have another say "var och en är salig på sitt sätt" = everyone is blessed in their own way (so dont force your particular way of blessing onto others like is the case with many religions)
[13:23] herman Bergson: but this no trust in science is typical American at the moment, I'd say
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): correct
[13:23] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): and scary
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmmm
[13:23] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): IN GOD WE TRUST!
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): sheeezzz!
[13:24] herman Bergson: There are more scary things in your society at the moment Gemma :-)
[13:24] oola Neruda: there are enough floods and fires lately that some of them will wake up
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i know
[13:24] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:24] herman Bergson: But I get the feeling that the "system" begins to fight back
[13:24] herman Bergson: that means...common sense and rationality
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no those were punishments from God maybe Oola
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): not science at all
[13:24] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in some people's minds
[13:25] oola Neruda: you have a point, Gemma....
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed they just blame it on an acto f god and continue on
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[13:26] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): what kind of god musty that be, when he punnishes people
[13:26] herman Bergson: I must say..how god is employed in the US is quite unique
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Father
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:26] herman Bergson: and especially the number of people who seem to have his phone number
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is unique
[13:26] oola Neruda: no no.... the California fires were Jews in outer space sending rockets or something down... to stop someone from making a path through the woods for a new railway track... we have an idiot in power who knows all and has assured us of that
[13:26] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): before most believed in that idea of punishment
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now in many churches here if you are not leading a life of getting wealth as a gift from god
[13:27] herman Bergson: oola, wasn't it George Soros who paid for the fires? :::-))))
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): you are being punished for being lazy
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): poor Soros
[13:27] oola Neruda: he is Jewish...
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): he minds his own business and gets blamed for everything
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:27] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess
[13:28] herman Bergson: yes....so bizarre
[13:28] oola Neruda: and was able to arm the equipment sent into space to do this dirty deed
[13:28] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:28] herman Bergson: oh yes...:-))
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed who did that
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well some believe we are made by aliens so
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): oh yes
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Intelligent Design
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): no intelligent design is God
[13:29] herman Bergson: But the main point of today is that atheism is in fact meaningless
[13:29] oola Neruda: well, it does not sooth the worried mind....so???
[13:29] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): Aliens came to earth from a society already
[13:30] herman Bergson: It makes no sense to debate the existence of deities
[13:30] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well similar to the Greek origins
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I believe in what LHC and James Webb spits out and backed by scientists
[13:30] herman Bergson: What makes sense os to debate the selfrightiousness of believers
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): as well as believe in good and serious people in general
[13:30] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): what is true and what is false
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and what is BS ect
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): that dog keeps looking at me
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): likes u I guess
[13:31] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): he likes woman's meat
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hahaa
[13:31] herman Bergson: who wouldn't Gemma :-))
[13:31] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ha
[13:31] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:32] herman Bergson: Well, guess today was an easy lecture
[13:32] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yay
[13:32] bergfrau Apfelbaum: yay and interesting again
[13:32] oola Neruda: have you all seen that my artwork today was made by Nelson Mandela
[13:32] herman Bergson: So keep in mind that we are just a bunch of hormone junkies :-)
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i see it and knew i had seen it before oola
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yes
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): now i remember
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaaa i thought i had seen that one!
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): very famous
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed!
[13:33] herman Bergson: lol oola....
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Thats a Nelson allright!
[13:33] herman Bergson: Let me tell you....
[13:33] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): in jail he did it
[13:34] herman Bergson: when trump was arrested Marjory Taylor Green said in an interview.....
[13:34] oola Neruda: her.
[13:34] oola Neruda: ';ka[t]eiogjko'jk'b
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right oola
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): sigh
[13:34] herman Bergson: Yes, a lot of important people were arrested and inprisoned....
[13:34] herman Bergson: and then she started to mention names......
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): i can imagine
[13:34] oola Neruda: uh oh
[13:34] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): she is right there
[13:35] herman Bergson: Nelson Mandela, Jesus, and now Donald Trump :-)))))
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:35] oola Neruda: omg
[13:35] oola Neruda: NOOOO
[13:35] herman Bergson: hilarious
[13:35] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): in that line?
[13:35] oola Neruda: I can't stand her
[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): she really is a believer
[[13:35] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): one i was talking about before
[13:35] herman Bergson: I have no idea what she is, I only know that her mental abilities are limited
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): too bad she does not know
[13:36] oola Neruda: or too clever for her own good
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Trump is NOT one of them and also he even said he backs both Putin and Kim Jong and other assholes, but we knoew that already. Trump belongs on bottom of Marianers trench along with Putin
[13:36] herman Bergson: Gemma. that is one of her mental disabilities!
[13:36] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): exactly
[13:37] herman Bergson: The recursive structure of the MAGA brain :-))
[13:37] herman Bergson: But enough of that
[13:37] bergfrau Apfelbaum: ty Herman and class
[13:37] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:37] herman Bergson: Time to enjoy our weekend
[13:37] oola Neruda: consider yourselves blessed not to live in America just now
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): it is 29 here today
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): as promised
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well I hope US get itself sorted out for sure
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): a lot of sorting to do
[13:38] herman Bergson: Well, oola...I always have admired the US...wanted to live there....but I have changed my mind :-))
[13:38] oola Neruda: I'm not holding my breath at the moment
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): well depends where you live
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): its a big place so
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): yep
[13:38] herman Bergson: Connecticut would be fine indeed Gemma :-))
[13:38] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): maybe too big
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate) GIGGLES!!
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ...LOL...
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): right there you go
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i guess maybe
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): ♥ Thank Youuuuuuuuuu!! ♥
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nice again Herman
[13:39] herman Bergson: But I am quite happy living amidst the fields of tulips now here :-))
[13:39] Gemma (gemma.cleanslate): bye doggy
[13:39] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): bye Gemma
[13:39] herman Bergson: Be well Gemma
[13:39] bergfrau Apfelbaum: byebye Gemma:-)
[13:40] oola Neruda: we are the smallest state but we have the best represitives in congress
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hugs Gemma
[13:40] oola Neruda: Sheldon Whitehouse is incredible
[13:40] herman Bergson: Jamie Raskin too
[13:40] oola Neruda: the other one just retired
[13:40] oola Neruda: oh yes
[13:40] herman Bergson: Kate Porter is terrific too
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): Im doing progress with Giethoorn in Unreal 5 at moment
[13:40] herman Bergson: a killer :-))
[13:40] oola Neruda: and others...
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): designing the houses is a bit trickyi tried that Blender plugin but have yet to come to terms with it 100 %
[13:41] oola Neruda: whitehouse is still my favorite
[13:41] oola Neruda: he is low key but big on delivering well thought out concepts and actions
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok
[13:41] herman Bergson: Haven't seen him in the news on Youtube....
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): important to have the good ones
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): then good decisions are made
[13:42] herman Bergson: So, maybe he is more in the foreground regarding more domestic issues
[13:42] oola Neruda: he is not in your face..... and the state is small enough that he can count on our votes
[13:43] oola Neruda: he is unique in the things he digs out...and does something about
[13:43] oola Neruda: like...follow the money and things like that
[13:43] herman Bergson: The only thing of american politics you see on Youtube is Trump stuff and some Biden stuff
[13:44] oola Neruda: listens
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): thats the ones I know of not the others so much
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): just thought the name sounded familiar
[13:44] herman Bergson:Let's dismiss class ^_^
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