Usually, it points to a lack of belief in God or gods.
So I guess we would have to default to a dictionary definition or a consensus of definitions in order to determine what it is telling us out of context.
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Is Atheism (et al) a Worldview?
- Thread starter SalixIncendium
- Start date
It didn't go far, because it was an off-topic sidetrack. Essentially it was said that atheism is a theistic position, which might be a part of what makes up a worldview, but it was not a worldview in and of itself.
I'm no genie, but I'm willing to help. What can I do for you to help you to better understand the question?
That is correct. I'm sure there are other theistic positions I missed, hence the "et al."
Transtheism acknowledges the existence of gods, but their existence is irrelevant because they are transcended by liberation from the cycle of rebirth. In other words, they are only relevant to this relative reality.
HonestJoe
Well-Known Member
Something of a tangent, but a relevant one I think; Atheism describes literally nothing about how an individual approaches science. Even if most or all (outspoken) atheists did this, that wouldn't make it an element of atheism.
I think this demonstrates the wider issue here, and not just with atheists. People have a tendency to look at a (selected subset) of a group defined by one characteristic and assume (or want to believe) that anything members of that group say or do is purely a function of that characteristic.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
That's why it needs to be approached scientifically. It's definitely a yes or no question.
I'm not 100% certain what is meant by world view.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I think people tend to overcomplicate things that are pretty straightforward.
The only reason why the term atheism is around is because somebody initially invented a God and made a claim for which it is challenged.
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
Yes and I responded it is not a worldview.
Either that, or you did not articulate it as well
Twilight Hue
Twilight, not bright nor dark, good nor bad.
I think that's largely due to some atheists claiming there is no God in the same vernacular that theists claiming there is a God. I have fallen into that trap myself and realized it was not scientific making such claims without all the supporting facts.
Basically there is the habit of jumping to a dogmatic conclusion without first approaching it scientifically , substantiating the reasons why first and properly chaining the evidences to eventually settle the matter.
For the purpose of this discussion, let's run with this:
A largely unconscious but generally coherent set of presuppositions and beliefs that every person has which shape how we make sense of the world and everything in it. This in turn influences such things as how we see ourselves as individuals, how we interpret our role in society, how we deal with social issues, and what we regard as truth.
Since you are presenting this as a definitive fact, I would like to see the sources behind this conclusion.
TagliatelliMonster
Veteran Member
Theism are worldviews. It is a belief in a specific religion that comes with doctrines, rules, claims about the world.
Atheism is simply "not that (theism)". So not a worldview.
Whatever the worldview of an atheist is, will necessarily be determined by other things.
I disagree and think you're conflating "theism" with certain religions. A mere belief in deities dos not necessarily come with doctrines, rules, and claims about the world. Not even all religions have doctrines, rules, and claims about the world.
PureX
Veteran Member
Atheism is a position held regarding the reality of God based on a materialist world view.
Theism is a position held regarding the reality of God based on a spiritualist world view.
I would say that because the respective positions are 'part-n-parcel' with the world view that upholds them, that they should be considered as one and the same as that world view.
Theism is a position held regarding the reality of God based on a spiritualist world view.
I would say that because the respective positions are 'part-n-parcel' with the world view that upholds them, that they should be considered as one and the same as that world view.
Altfish
Veteran Member
I don't think atheism is a world view, as it says nothing apart from "I don't believe in gods"
But Humanism is a worldview as it bolts on much more to non-belief.
TagliatelliMonster
Veteran Member
That definition, by definition, excludes atheism as being a worldview.For the purpose of this discussion, let's run with this:
A largely unconscious but generally coherent set of presuppositions and beliefs that every person has which shape how we make sense of the world and everything in it. This in turn influences such things as how we see ourselves as individuals, how we interpret our role in society, how we deal with social issues, and what we regard as truth.
Since atheism means literally the lack of rather specific presuppositions and beliefs.
It doesn't include specific presuppositions and beliefs of its own.
It only rejects specific ones as established by theism.
TagliatelliMonster
Veteran Member
I don't think so. Theism is a collective term. When a person identifies as a theist, what that person means is that he follows a certain specific religion which includes some type of personal god. Strictly speaking that even excludes deistic religions.
So we're talking about religions like christianity, judaism, islam,..
I'm having a hard time thinking of a theistic religion which does NOT come with doctrines, rules on how to live, claims about the world,...
That would be deism.
Again, I'm having a hard time coming up with theistic religions, that don't.
Wouldn't a world with no gods be a presupposition?
There are many theists, even here, that don't follow a specific religion. I think only a select few would self-identify as deists.
As far as theistic religions that don't have doctrines, rules, or claims about the world, I would say that Buddhism, much of Hinduism, and some Contemporary Pagan religions might qualify as such.