EXAMPLE 1: THE BASIC LOGICAL STRUCTURE
1.1. I want to go to the park
1.2. It's not the case that I want to go to the park
1.3. I want not to go to the park
In this analogy, a proposition is given in (1.1), "I want to go to the park." When we negate that proposition, we get (1.2). What does (1.2) mean? It means that I have no preference to go to the park. But the question is do I have a preference not to go to the park? We do not know in this case. We only know that I have no preference to go. This could mean that I have a preference to stay home. It would be a much more strong statement to say that I have a particular preference not to go to the park as in (1.3).
EXAMPLE 2: THE BASIC LOGICAL STRUCTURE USING BELIEF
2.1. I believe Elvis Presley is alive
2.2. It's not the case that I believe Elvis Presley is alive
2.3. I believe Elvis Presley is not alive
In this case we have a proposition in (2.1), this time a statement of belief, that the King is alive. In (2.2), I have no belief that Elvis is alive. This could mean that I don't know anything about Elvis, and therefore don't know one way or another whether Elvis is alive or not. All I know in (2.2) is that there is no belief of Elvis being alive. This does not mean there is a belief that Elvis is not alive, as (2.3) requires.
EXAMPLE 3: THE BASIC LOGICAL STRUCTURE USING THEISTIC BELIEF
3.1. I believe a God exists
3.2. It's not the case that I believe a God exists
3.3. I believe a God does not exist
So from the other instances, we find our central theistic proposition in (3.1). The negation of that (3.2) says that I have no belief that a God exists. As above, this could mean I don't know anything about God, and therefore don't know one way or another whether a God exists or not. As above, all I know in (3.2) is that there is no belief of the existence of a God. This does not mean there is a belief that a God does not exist, as in (3.3).
What this means is that theistic belief is well, either theistic or atheistic; it comes down to either (3.1) or (3.2). A person either believes or does not believe in the existence of a God. However just because a person does not believe does not mean they believe in non-existence. The strong atheist requirement (3.3) goes a step further than (3.2) and requires that a person conclude the non-existence of deities.
For additional discussion on the Strong vs. Weak distinction, see Austin Cline's Strong Atheism vs. Weak Atheism: What's the Difference?
Good post, but it seems a little like you're marrying belief with knowledge. It's possible for a theist to believe in a God or Gods without claiming knowledge. Likewise, it's possible for an atheist to believe in a God or Gods without claiming knowledge. That's where agnosticism comes in.
ReplyDeleteI would break it down this way:
1. Gnostic Theist: I believe that God exists and I know this to be true.
2. Agnostic Theist: I believe that God exists but I do not claim to know whether or not this is true.
3. Agnostic: I do not hold any beliefs on the existence of God and I do not claim to know any truth about God.
4. Agnostic Athiest (Weak Athiest): I do not believe that God exists but I do not claim to know whether or not this is true.
5. Gnostic Atheist (Strong Athiest): I do not believe that God exists and I know this to be true.
All beliefs are beliefs that something is true. Anything short of believing something is true is a lack of belief. In other words, one either believes or does not believe. The preceding comment suggests there's a middle ground between belief and no belief. But by definition lack of belief is anything other than an affirmative belief.
ReplyDeleteAlso, didn't think the entry mentioned a lot about knowledge, and was pretty focused only on belief. But stay tuned, I'm getting ready to blog a bit about that and faith soon!!!
Ohhhkay, I see what you're saying here. The only way to be a theist is to have a belief in God. If you are not a theist then, by default, you are an atheist.
ReplyDeleteI think the "it's not the case" wording of your examples kind of threw me. Also, you talked about knowledge in the Elvis example. I'm on the right track now tho. :)