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To: Thane_Banquo
Please explain how pure naturalism(as opposed to some theistic alternative) can explain the development of both human reason and human consciousness.

This is one of many phenomena that is not yet fully understood -- which does not mean that it is inexplicable, only that we don't yet know. The best thinking about this, to my knowledge, is that it's the result of something called Emergence.

If, as naturalism claims, the reasoning of the human mind is merely the product of the movement of atoms and electrons, then we have no reason to believe any of our reasoning is true.

Nor would we have any reason to be confident if a supernatural agency were responsible. The only reason for confidence in our ability to reason is its demonstrated effectiveness in the natural world. That's what science is all about.

30 posted on 10/01/2005 8:41:03 AM PDT by PatrickHenry (Disclaimer -- this information may be legally false in Kansas.)
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That's-what-science-is-all-about placemarker.


34 posted on 10/01/2005 9:16:59 AM PDT by balrog666 (A myth by any other name is still inane.)
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