Post by scott on Feb 5, 2015 1:16:38 GMT
I've watched most of the videos now and in several of them I hear George and Enel refer to the Universe as God.
I just don't understand this perspective. Doesn't our premise of a causal universe negate this notion? The universe is a machine without intentionality. How can you suggest the existence of a god without intentionality?
It leads me to suspect that there is a strong psychological need for a god figure despite the lack of evidence for such. This is similar to the psychological need for a sense of free will, despite the logical arguments against such a notion.
George says in Episode 156, "Imagine you're the big bang, the universe, god, whatever ... It's up to you what happens, right?"
There's a lot of anthropomorphizing going on here. When George says "it's up to you what happens" he's ascribing free will to the universe-machine. That strikes me as highly implausible.
Again, he refers to the universe as "conscious". How is a self-aware universe possible? What kind of hedonic principle is the universe following?
The universe isn't intentionally making us do anything. It's just cranking out reality with each moment completely caused by the moment before.
George also asks why the universe compelled us to believe in free will for so long. What makes George believe that the universe has any interest in us at all? The universe has been around billions of years. We humans have been around for a couple million. It's pure arrogance to think that the universe has any more interest in us than any other animal or any other object for that matter. The universe simply doesn't have the capacity to care.
I would really like to hear any comments opposing my position and supporting the idea of the Universe as God.
Scott
I just don't understand this perspective. Doesn't our premise of a causal universe negate this notion? The universe is a machine without intentionality. How can you suggest the existence of a god without intentionality?
It leads me to suspect that there is a strong psychological need for a god figure despite the lack of evidence for such. This is similar to the psychological need for a sense of free will, despite the logical arguments against such a notion.
George says in Episode 156, "Imagine you're the big bang, the universe, god, whatever ... It's up to you what happens, right?"
There's a lot of anthropomorphizing going on here. When George says "it's up to you what happens" he's ascribing free will to the universe-machine. That strikes me as highly implausible.
Again, he refers to the universe as "conscious". How is a self-aware universe possible? What kind of hedonic principle is the universe following?
The universe isn't intentionally making us do anything. It's just cranking out reality with each moment completely caused by the moment before.
George also asks why the universe compelled us to believe in free will for so long. What makes George believe that the universe has any interest in us at all? The universe has been around billions of years. We humans have been around for a couple million. It's pure arrogance to think that the universe has any more interest in us than any other animal or any other object for that matter. The universe simply doesn't have the capacity to care.
I would really like to hear any comments opposing my position and supporting the idea of the Universe as God.
Scott
hello