Atheism is not a belief system any more than determinism is a philosophy. Determinism (all actions are caused) is not a philosophy; it's a statement. An observation. You can't build a philosophy on determinism or atheism alone.
The statement "I don't believe in a deity" isn't enough to qualify as a philosophy any more than "I believe in a deity" is. You still need more.
I may have to disagree with you regarding your argument that you can't build a philosophy on determinism or atheism alone.
I'm reserving full disagreement for later, but I believe that there are a number of people who have built their belief systems on determinism and atheism alone.
Can you more fully define what you mean by philosophy. I think that you're creating a working definition of philosophy (as in, "The set of beliefs and ideas a person uses to go about their life in a rational manner") and not an esoteric definition (The ideas a person enjoys thinking about in abstract ways). Then after you've done that what are the limiting factors that prevent a person from having just one single core belief (There are no gods) to guide them?
I may have to disagree with you regarding your argument that you can't build a philosophy on determinism or atheism alone.
I have to disagree with that statement, too... because that's not what I said.
I said you cannot say a single statement of fact is a philosophy. "I don't believe in unicorns" is not a philosophy or a religion. You need more than a single statement to make a philosophy; that's why philosophers write entire books on the subject: to create a cohesive statement covering subjects as diverse as freedom, metaphysics, ethics, morals, etc.
I understand what you're saying now. At the time I was confused at what you meant by philosophy - was it a philosophical statement or a cohesive philosophical world view. I understand that it was the later now. ^_^
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The statement "I don't believe in a deity" isn't enough to qualify as a philosophy any more than "I believe in a deity" is. You still need more.
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I'm reserving full disagreement for later, but I believe that there are a number of people who have built their belief systems on determinism and atheism alone.
Can you more fully define what you mean by philosophy. I think that you're creating a working definition of philosophy (as in, "The set of beliefs and ideas a person uses to go about their life in a rational manner") and not an esoteric definition (The ideas a person enjoys thinking about in abstract ways). Then after you've done that what are the limiting factors that prevent a person from having just one single core belief (There are no gods) to guide them?
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I have to disagree with that statement, too... because that's not what I said.
I said you cannot say a single statement of fact is a philosophy. "I don't believe in unicorns" is not a philosophy or a religion. You need more than a single statement to make a philosophy; that's why philosophers write entire books on the subject: to create a cohesive statement covering subjects as diverse as freedom, metaphysics, ethics, morals, etc.
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