2.6 Atheism: Objections to Evidentialism (B)
Рет қаралды 135,238
12 жыл бұрын / evid3nc3
I respond to objections to Evidentialism regarding the use of provisional hypotheses, the alleged self-refuting properties of Evidentialism, the evidential bases of mathematics and logic, and the relation of Evidentialism to Logical Positivism.
Radical Skepticism:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_...
Cantor's Original Definition of Set:
books.google.com/books?id=W1gN...
Russell's Paradox:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russell'...
ZFC:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zermelo%...
Construction of Natural Numbers based on Set Theory:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natural_...
Where Mathematics Comes From: How the Embodied Mind Brings Mathematics into Being
www.amazon.com/Where-Mathemati...
Evidentialism References:
Conee, E., & Feldman, R., 2004, Evidentialism: Essays in Epistemology. Clarendon Press.
Poston, T., 2007, Foundational Evidentialism and the Problem of Scatter. Abstracta, 3 (2), 89-106.
Wampler-Doty, M., 2010, Evidentialist Logic. MSc Thesis, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Netherlands. Retrieved from ILLC Publications (Accession Order No. MoL-2010-15).
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All excerpts used in this video are either copyright-free or covered under "fair use" in Title 17 § 107 of the USC, including:
Vector Attributions:
A huge thanks to Snap2Objects for the many businessmen vectors I use:
www.snap2objects.com/freebies/
Business Women:
all-silhouettes.com/vectorbusi...
Christian Cross:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Islam Star and Crescent:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Sta...
Hindu Om:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Om.svg
Temperature Gauges:
www.snap2objects.com/2011/10/1...
Crowds:
all-silhouettes.com/vector-peo...
Image Attributions:
Triceratops Skull:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
DNA Test:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Psalms Scroll:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Moon Landing:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Natural Groups:
www.flickr.com/photos/doom64/5...
Mud:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Water:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Fire:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Georg Cantor:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Geo...
Bertrand Russell:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Ernst Zermelo:
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ern...
Apple:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Coffee Cup:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Leaf:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Strobe Ball:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Rain:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Wet:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Burn:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Glass:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
Broken Glass:
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fil...
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Music:
"Another Day" by The Unordinaries
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@FiniteAtticus 10 жыл бұрын
Come back soon, Evid3nc3, you are missed and needed.
@human9668 5 жыл бұрын
we still need him
@aralornwolf3140 3 жыл бұрын
He's gone. :(
@senor2930 2 жыл бұрын
@@aralornwolf3140 not really. He just posts seldomly.
@robertmetcalf3748 Жыл бұрын
@@senor2930 It's been over 10 years, Senor.
@justmy-profilename Жыл бұрын
@@robertmetcalf3748 His last video on KZfaq is from almost seven years ago, but Evid3nc3r posted something two and a half years ago on his twitter channel. Probably his Patreon fundraiser wasn't such a success, and he can't afford to work less for his living while additionally investing time and money in the production of new videos. And I have to admit, I'm not yet having him (or anyone else) supported on Patreon.
@jedseverson1026 9 жыл бұрын
I just finished watching the entire series in one setting and I have to give mad props to the creator of these videos. I'm an agnostic theist that has spent more hours than I could count on the web researching the best arguments for and against theism. 99% of the time it's nothing but ignorant fundamentalists on one side and arrogant condescending critics on the other. To come across a well thought out eloquently presented soft spoken critique like this is rare. Well done!
@dianacryder7523 9 жыл бұрын
No shit! This is amazing. Speaking from my own experience, it's remarkable that he was able to work this out so quickly. It took me 15 years just to deconvert. I'm still working on my anger over being deceived. I'm always impressed with those who have enough clarity to move past the anger and find productive ways to problem solve the misperceptions that get us all tangled up. Of course, he had the help of a well seasoned and experienced skeptic. Not many of us are so lucky. But, nevertheless, he's made remarkable progress and, rather than move on, he came back to leave a trail of breadcrumbs to help the rest of us find our way. I feel so much gratitude. Kudos to Evid3nc3!
@GBart 2 жыл бұрын
Jed, out of curiosity, would you still consider yourself an agnostic theist or have you moved from that position in the last 7 years?
@rawrlolcoolj2632 Жыл бұрын
I just did the same thing
@TesIaNikola 10 ай бұрын
Jed, are you still an agnostic theist?
@tofu_golem 9 жыл бұрын
"When we apply evidentialism to the concept of God." Dagnabbit, you left us hanging!
@googlesuckscock6538 10 жыл бұрын
about 2 years ago, I stumbled upon your 'why I am no longer a Christian' series, with the arrogant mindset of a deluded Christian. I believed, at the time, that I could single-handedly (with the help of god, 'of course') refute all the points you would make against it. I barely made it past 2 videos, because I feared that it would shake my faith too much and so I viewed your videos as a threat. I return to this now, whilst in the process of my own deconversion. Hardly 3 weeks ago, I was an unstable liberal christian. Now, I am convinced of my atheism. I want to say thank you. You have shown me so much through these videos that have solidified my unbelief - my atheism. You have also contradicted much of my perceptions of what atheists are usually like. You make me want to learn more and to be a better human being.
@AIPandamonium 10 жыл бұрын
That's awesome brotha. Welcome to reality. Spread the love.
@chickenman297 10 жыл бұрын
As one of the natives (atheist born and bred) congrats on your deconversion.
@randomDisinformation13 10 жыл бұрын
I really hate people who do these types of things, like what chickenman297 and Pig0Benis88 have done. I understand that you have very little patience for religious people, and I can, to an extent, sympathize with that, but to reduce being an atheist, as I am, as just being better than a religious life, is just down right wrong. Many people can live extremely good lives, and sometimes, better lives than that of an atheist, not because they believe in God, or even because of the placebo effect, but because their lives, and how they live them, are just as valid as your own, and putting people down for believing in God is as bad as a Christian putting you down for not believe in God.
@chickenman297 10 жыл бұрын
randomDisinformation I'm sorry, but where exactly have I invalidated anybodies life in my post? How does congratulating someone for their deconversion equate to putting someone else down? Enlighten us all.
@googlesuckscock6538 10 жыл бұрын
randomDisinformation I didn't mean to offend anyone; the only reference I can find that people may find slightly offensive is 'deluded christian', and in that sense I was referring to myself. I was not explicitly mentioning the entire christian community. Infer that how you will, but I don't see how that can be so offensive. That's the only thing I found in my post which could have offended anyone.
@vvebvvaster 7 жыл бұрын
Such a *great* series of videos. +Evid3nc3's talent for breaking down complex philosophical concepts into their root components while simultaneously narrating a compelling story is matched by few.
@ZobmieRules 9 жыл бұрын
Ahh!! He left off at such a horrible place! Please come back, Evid3nc3!!
@derezzed83 9 жыл бұрын
ZobmieRules His arguments are terrible! Logical positivism? That has been dead in philosophy for decades.
@derezzed83 9 жыл бұрын
ZobmieRules He leaves gigantic holes in his argument. How does he ever justify the because 'some claims can be justified by physical evidence, therefore all claims are justified by physical evidence'? He just glosses over the justification for that, hoping his audience is too dumb to notice. And he never establishes that logic is based on physical observation. It's just a baseless assertion! In fact we have good reasons to suppose that logic cannot be based on physical observation. For instance, the law of non-contradiction, i.e. that a proposition cannot be both true and false at the same time, cannot be proven or disproven via physical observation. Because suppose we observe that something violates the law of non-contradiction. That means the law of non-contradiction is false. But if it is false, then propositions can both be true and false at the same time. Therefore, the law of non-contradiction can be both true and false, therefore it cannot ever be proven or disproven.
@ZobmieRules 9 жыл бұрын
derezzed83 I hope you enjoyed ranting against a strawman.
@fyeJack 9 жыл бұрын
derezzed83 "then propositions can both be true and false at the same time. Therefore, the law of non-contradiction can be both true and false, therefore it cannot ever be proven or disproven." The key word in your own statement is "CAN". Just because something CAN be true and false does not mean it IS true and false. If an observation is made that that something exists which violates the law of non-contradiction then that law ceases to be true. Depending on what this observation we are imagining reveals, the truth value of the law of non-contradiction would have to be evaluated accordingly. The answer isn't necessarily a paradox. It could be that the discovery reveals that the law is simply nonsensical, like the Luminiferous aether, or it could simply be false.
@ZobmieRules 9 жыл бұрын
I found this one I decided to look deeper: evid3nc3.wordpress.com/2013/06/29/why-i-am-not-posting-videos/
@zeratullotus2790 8 жыл бұрын
I have never seen anything that has described my own progression away from theism so well. You are a fresh and welcoming addition to the advancement of the human experience, and I am pleased to share this perception of reality with people such as you. I look forward to future videos. Very well done good sir!
@1FamilysAntics 12 жыл бұрын
I am a Christian who has just finished watching the author's whole set of 'why I am no longer a Christian' videos. I am thankful he shared his journey. I learnt some valuable information and I think he is very talented at presentations too.
@daneimp 10 жыл бұрын
Will we get more videoes in this series? Just watched it all... I need more! :D
@ebudaemoon 9 жыл бұрын
I love these videos and they make perfect sense. I am amazed this young man went through this transitional journey so young. Like him, my religion is the truth NOW and nothing else. I have watched all of his videos and have been on a journey much like his but it has taken me twice as long to get to the point where he is. I was a devote Christian but no longer. It didn't happen overnight; it has taken 7-10 years I guess. I really opened my heart, mind and soul to other ideas. If people REALLY open their minds.... wow.... what a different world it would be. Religion had it's time and it was called 'The Dark Ages'. People need to stop being scared and intimidated by the constraints of religion, throw off the shackles and go on a search for the truth. What they find will be nothing short of 'mind blowing'. Don't be afraid to explore other possibilities. Religion was designed to control the masses and that is exactly what it has done and mainly through fear. I am no academic but I have been searching for God and for things to truly make sense (which they did not before) all my adult life. Be aware, that if you go down this path, it is like 'The Matrix', you will NEVER go back to your previous way of thinking. You might feel alone to begin with but would you rather stayed clouded in ignorance or take the trip down the rabbit hole and see how far it goes? That is what you have to decide and IF you are strong enough to handle the truth. It is not for everyone. I can not tell you how at peace I am now. I am not scared of religion or the so called repercussions of not following it anymore. I am truly free and I am happy having gained that knowledge, I will never go back.
@wyldmansix7 6 жыл бұрын
Stayed up all night watching every video in your series. What I can absolutely say about it is that it left a profound impact on me. Thank you for sharing this wealth of information.
@valf.6535 8 жыл бұрын
This might be one of the best video series / playlists I've seen on KZfaq. Kudos to this guy for the massive project this clearly was. Absolutely amazing.
@Roedygr 7 жыл бұрын
If you don't choose your beliefs based on evidence, what are your alternatives? 1. making things up. 2. believing things other people made up.
@Rfc1394 8 жыл бұрын
The argument about why teachers who only give abstract concepts without evidence confuse students reninds me of Jaime Escalante - who was portrayed im the movie "Stand and Deliver" - who goit otherwise poor students in a Los Angerles barrio to get very high scores in his calculus class: his teaching must have included evidentiary methods.
@sky-magnet 11 жыл бұрын
You have already done such a service to the world by making these videos. Take all the time you need. If I am having a conversation with a Theist I will direct them to your videos. One recently, you have inspired to record the de-conversion that he is going through at this exact moment. I have never had to go through a de-conversion and your videos have really shown me the other side with such honesty and clarity, You are awesome. Your videos rule. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
@goddanbriggs 9 жыл бұрын
You, sir, have - without a doubt - vastly improved my knowledge. ...not by necessarily teaching me new facts or ideas because I've been using evidentialism my whole life to some extent, but you've helped me know how I can justify my conclusions I've made about literally everything. I hope you make many more videos covering epistemology.
@HuntingDownCoyote 10 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for making these.
@drkmwinters 10 жыл бұрын
Using the word 'conclusions' instead of 'beliefs' clarifies both the nature of the process and that it is based on evidence.
@FullCircleStories 9 жыл бұрын
Kristi Winters Yeah I'm a bit iffy on him constantly using "belief" in the last few videos. Drawing solid conclusions based on evidence rarely ends up being considered a "belief" for the simpler things (like the earth going around the sun) but instead is something similar to a fact. So why "believe" the earth goes around the sun? It's a solid conclusion, a fact, which can be improved upon in future.
@drkmwinters 9 жыл бұрын
FullCircleStories You are a pedant after my own heart :) I never say I believe in evolution, because I don't. I have been convince of the accuracy of the ToE because of the overwhelming evidence. Perhaps together we can campaign for accuracy in language use :D
@FullCircleStories 9 жыл бұрын
Kristi Winters Haha, I guess I'm just discussing the point further, adding to your comment. Accurate language use would be wonderful, but as someone in their postgrad of Linguistics, it's just a pipe dream! XD
@drkmwinters 9 жыл бұрын
FullCircleStories Hey, dream big! Even nerdy dreams can improve the world ;)
@Saltpirate 6 жыл бұрын
I am surprised that this is still as popular as it is. A friend showed me this video in college. I showed it to my philosophy professor, he burst out laughing, said "don't take this guy seriously," and told me to go read J.L. Mackie and David Hume. I did that, and my life has been great. I advise you all to do the same.
@ubergenie6041 5 жыл бұрын
The producer of this video is articulate, has done research, engaged advanced topics, produced a cogent description with bibliography suggesting they are again well-educated. But in 4:30 of viewing we have been introduced to some serious In fact fatal ways of arguing that don’t comport with the earlier data. No philosopher would destroy so much of what can be known in support of any thesis. There are good arguments for atheism but evidentialism is just an epistemic trick that forces its adherent to assert materialism. This is why we seldom find any proponents.
@laurastacey683 10 жыл бұрын
Where's the rest of the series? He alludes to more videos in the future.
@Henreeback 9 жыл бұрын
He was taken out by fundamentalists
@weegreenblobbie 10 жыл бұрын
This is an excellent series with high production values. I hope the series continues!
@ThatGuyWithHippyHair 10 жыл бұрын
Speaking as someone who is learning the methods of math tutoring, I now know how true this is. The algorithms of rationalism are handy when you already understand what they represent (and half the time, I've noticed, I never really questioned what these abstractions represented as I learned math; I just accepted it as one large system of internal consistency that I was good at and that colleges loved), but you truly begin to understand the nature of explanation when a seven-year-old asks you WHY the denominator has to be the same when you add fractions. In a sense, the kids who "don't get" math when it's not explained evidentially are the truly smart ones, because they aren't content to just accept arbitrary standards without learning why those standards are there. It's sometimes frustrating when you literally cannot put the concept in any other terms, but when they get it, it's immensely rewarding. :)
@Krappman 12 жыл бұрын
I have now watched the whole series of your deconversion and the follow ups. I too fall into the choir of appraise! Not only are you very calm, polite and respectful, but also you bring up very interesting points of reflection and tie all to philosophy and your own very heartfelt story. A narrative that is pleasant to listen to, but still one that can keep one focused. I'm so impressed, and thankful for learning about a few of the philosophical aspects of my own experience. Excellent work!
@Rignasty15x 10 жыл бұрын
I definitely had too many Rationalist math teachers...
@RobotMowerTricks 10 жыл бұрын
I know this video is old, but I want to say, that it would be helpful if you distinguish between the different types of evidentialism. In 3.4.1(1) you sound like a strict empiricist or some type of verificationist, but in this video 3.4.1(2) you sound much more like a classical empiricist to avoid the problems of strict empiricism. I think that classical is the way to go, but you can't just jump around out of convenience, so it would be nice for you to specific as to which particular 'version' you are. Also I think you will enjoy handling Thomas Aquinas when it comes to empiricism and Natural Theology
@Evid3nc3 10 жыл бұрын
I'm not seeing any jumps in position between the two videos, only more detail in this one. You'll need to give an example of a specific contradiction.
@RobotMowerTricks 10 жыл бұрын
Evid3nc3 I might watch them again, but probably not. Why not just state which type you are? It can't hurt, it can only clarify.
@Evid3nc3 10 жыл бұрын
Hezekiah Domowski You are assuming these are common labels and that you and I are using the same definitions. I disagree and I don't know what your definitions are.
@ElfHostage 10 жыл бұрын
Evid3nc3 you allude to future videos. has it been but on the back burner, or is this series just, done.
@Evid3nc3 10 жыл бұрын
ElfHostage Back burner. I'm in the process of spinning things back up as of last week.
@davidwilliamsheridan 12 жыл бұрын
I discovered your posts and watched them all over the weekend (whew - what a KZfaq session). Very enjoyable, provocative, and deeply emotive at some points. I look forward to seeing the continuation of the argument. Many thanks.
@CheshireKai 12 жыл бұрын
I really like where you're going with this and I've really enjoyed the videos you've made up until now. Also, I think I know why I didn't enjoy calculus now! Thanks for all your hard work making these. They're really well put together visually, the background music fits into them well, and I love the way you transition effortlessly through your points. You're just lovely.
@richo61 9 жыл бұрын
I really enjoy this series - its one of the most well argued series on KZfaq. However the stuff about mathematics and logic being derived from or dependent on physical objects existing is just wrong. The point about the value of using concrete examples in teaching is fine up to a point - but once you move beyond counting etc you are constructing abstractions of abstractions. You cant show me 5i+3 marbles! When I learned group theory and vector spaces and elementary set theory - so much of what I was taught about "real world" examples became irrelevant. And it was marvelous and intellectually exhilarating! So I like existentialism for rocks and stars and "beings" but I just don't need (or want) it for numbers and logical relationship - ta all the same!
@sb5403 4 жыл бұрын
But I can show you 5 red and 3 blue marbles as a symbol of 5i + 3. I can also illustrate the theory of discrete groups by flipping a coin or rotating a pyramid, or the theory of the Lie group SO(3) by rotating a spherical object (which is how group theory is commonly taught). 2D vector spaces can be drawn on a piece of paper. Vector bundles like the tangent bundle on a sphere can be illustrated by looking at a point on a physical ball, drawing some axes and zooming in. Of course some problems of mathematics are inaccessible to regular sensory evidence, but the problems that can be visualized in that way always serve as a highly evidence-backed toolbox to tackle the more abstract problems. Mathematics is always easiest to do when everything is close to the real world. In his book on quantum field theory, A. Zee cited some mathematician (can't remember who) that claimed the best mathematicians are the ones that secretly think like physicists. I do think that there's some interesting stuff going on here with regard to the nature of truth, and I'm not educated enough to grasp the matter completely, but I do think Evid3nc3's stance might be valid even in the case of abstract mathematics.
@ArtofFreeSpeech 9 жыл бұрын
Alex, the African Grey parrot, was capable of arithmetic, so saying math exists only in the human mind is fallacious.
@kevinnavarro402 9 жыл бұрын
However, surely 'twas merely a trivial bit of anthropocentrism.
@ArtofFreeSpeech 9 жыл бұрын
Only insomuch as it was a human that taught Alex what the symbols for numbers meant, and was done in order for us to better understand the animals around us. We also have evidence of domestic canines performing deductive reasoning, and of porpoises not only having an understanding of imagination, but they're also capable of communicating it to one another (through their language, whatever you want to call it--clicks and whistles). Just because we can find out that math (which is really just pattern recognition, something at which the human brain is incredibly fast) is used and understood by other animals, and they're more capable than we originally thought doesn't make any of these discoveries either anthropomorphic or anthropocentric. Indeed, Alex started teaching it's offspring math. It's hard to find a single reason Alex would teach it's offspring math for anthropocentric reasons. Don't get me wrong, I'm a HUGE fan of Evid3nc3's video series. I've watched it a few times and recommend it to my students (I'm a behaviorist) who were seekers. I just found the claim... ASSUMPTION math only exists in the human brain to be a bit far reaching, especially when we have evidence it's not true.
@plasticvision6355 9 жыл бұрын
Art Scott The issue here surely is that these concepts exists in minds. That is they can only be deduced (abstracted) by minds, as what they are derived from is not itself abstract.
@ArtofFreeSpeech 9 жыл бұрын
Plastic Vision I'm not sure I follow. I would agree ideas are abstract, but science is not abstract. It's very concrete. I want to understand what you're saying, but don't quite get it from that.
@plasticvision6355 9 жыл бұрын
Art Scott. My apologies. I was stating that minds, whether they belong to animals or man, is where these concepts actually reside. That is they are not intrinsic qualities of the actual world, but instead give rise to consistent conceptualisations of the world in those minds, which may well be wired to perceive associations via the mechanism of pattern recognition (to varying degrees of capability, depending on evolutionary adaptation). Is that clearer?
@7eardstapa7 11 жыл бұрын
Congratulations on your life events. I hope these are exciting and rewarding times for you and your family. I've really appreciated your videos, and look forward to more when they come. Cheers.
@randomDisinformation13 10 жыл бұрын
This video really hit me. I have been watching these videos, hoping to get new information, which I have, hence me getting this far, but this video made me realize something. I am an Evidentialist. I have, many times, in my math classes; which I love, asking myself why something they are teaching me is true. I just couldn't accept A+B=C without proof. And a few professors I have talked to, and had classes with, have gone through and explained why something is true, and I always have a better and easier time, learning from them, rather than someone who just tells me something it true.
@cccar67 11 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for this series, I do hope it's not over. I think you have clearly presented your argument for evidentialism and given interested parties plenty to consider. I subscribe and look forward to more from you.
@josephfrierson7440 10 жыл бұрын
Evid3nc3----You have been my strong support as I am a lonely Atheist-Agnostic-Skeptic. Since I made my break with the standard Christian Doctrines 50 years ago, I have tried to avoid discussing politics and religion with any one, for it usually deteriorates into an argument. I have studied every religion that I can find on the Internet and in the library's. I can not find any proof that there is a ' Personal God'. And I refuse to ' live by faith ', especially, faith in what some one tells me. I live by ' Proof ', And for me, No Proof -- No Belief. I value your approach to this subject, and I Thank You for sharing. (Joseph)
@nash984954 12 жыл бұрын
The point you make using the example about how math is based on set theory derived from the physical world and then stepped mentally away from there into mental symbols is actually quite brilliant. Some assume that numbers, or math was abstracted from just mental images, or quantities divorced from the real world, but your example of set theory based on the numbers of like objects in the physical world is quite exceptional, and spot on, thank you.
@tumic77 6 жыл бұрын
Thank you. I really enjoyed this series.Very awesome, such great, much wow. Hope you continue it one day.
@Gorulabro 12 жыл бұрын
You got to make more videos like this. This playlist is a youtube-gem.
@AdventureThroughLife 12 жыл бұрын
I really enjoyed this series and would love to see more. It was incredibly informative and interesting.
@bobjones4469 9 жыл бұрын
Yes, I've been trying to say this for the longest time: math explains the universe because universe determines math. Without the universe, math is not only meaningless, it cannot even exist. As such, math can only be justified through the experiences of the universe.
@melonhead82 8 жыл бұрын
+Bob Jones Therefore, math is God. No wonder it is an evil creature :P
@dianthus80 12 жыл бұрын
@Evid3nc3 I'm pleased you did so: I find very useful to see how you respond to specific critics about your epistemologic system (pretty close to mine). Thank you from Italy!
@CharlieFreakin 11 жыл бұрын
Good to hear that they are just on hold and not full stop. I hope you soon get time for them again!
@Yusuf1187 11 жыл бұрын
I loved your first video on evidentialism too and I felt I was right on board with it, like you were clarifying the thoughts I was working out myself in college. I've also found that many people misunderstand things which I thought were very simple and clearly explained. Sometimes their objections are valid but also quite often people don't even realize the flaws in their reasoning which have lead to their misunderstanding of what I wrote. It's great to listen to your thoughts.
@stkras714 12 жыл бұрын
This latest video, like all your videos, have truly inspired and enlightened my life. Thanks so much.
@Gulzt 12 жыл бұрын
You saw how deep the rabbit hole really was, I admire you very much for being able to get out of it using reason and logic. This has been the most inspiring documentary I've ever seen. This should be seen by everyone on this planet. I can very much relate to your story and I can't thank you enough for sharing this. You contributed to the next evolutionary step of mankind!
@aedwardsss 11 жыл бұрын
Since I will just support you, I will make this short. Thank you for doing these. By making us feel less alone, and giving us all see that anyone can do it, you have given us hope. This life is a lonely one. Thanks for making it look less like that.
@Yusuf1187 11 жыл бұрын
This is obviously a brilliant guy. These videos are entrancing and incredibly organized and clear. His comments on the nature of truth, evidence, logic, and the notion of what is "self evident" are all beautifully simple and insightful.
@felixthehuman 12 жыл бұрын
You and tdarnell are constantly expanding my mind and my music collection. Thanks!
@superbeedge 8 жыл бұрын
+Evid3nc3 I became an atheist (from Christianity) many years ago, but I really enjoyed watching your videos - well thought out and presented. Particularly enjoyed the video on the link to Babylonian Pantheism which was new to me.
@Evid3nc3 12 жыл бұрын
@mrfilthyrags In case you haven't been told this yet: you seem to have forgotten the segment about radiation and wind in the previous video and how we use instrumentation to perceive them. Ultimately, even if you are using an instrument to measure a phenomenon (like subatomic particles), you are using your direct senses to read the instrument. But instruments allow us to reach places our direct senses can't. The sensor readings are the evidence. This all fits within Evidentialism.
@georgspengler3573 8 жыл бұрын
I know that if I have 3 apples and I eat one of them I still have two. This knowledge is independent of the question if I or the apples even exist. It is independent of the rather difficult question, what existence even means. Maybe existence is an interaction instead of being something absolute. If everything exists "in my mind only", than it is the very nature of reality to exist in my mind. It doesn't make it less real.
@AMcAFaves 10 жыл бұрын
I've only just discovered your channel and really love the way you explain things. I particularly love your explaination of math from its basis in evidence to abstract concepts. It makes me want to learn logic so I can understand what all those strange squiggles mean. Thanks for explaining technical concepts in a rigorous, yet colloquial way.
@OhManTFE 12 жыл бұрын
This is amazing! I came in thinking I would get a good insight into the mind of the theist. And I came out with that and so much more! I've always been lost epistemologically, but I think evidentialism may be the magic bullet. It still irks me that we have to make that initial assumption though... :S
@isakoqv 12 жыл бұрын
Anxiously awaiting your brilliant repartee.
@PlasteredDragon 11 жыл бұрын
I've missed you Evid3nc3. I hope you are well and will one day again grace us with your thoughts.
@LamirLakantry 8 жыл бұрын
3a "Only beliefs that are justified by evidence are valid" is accurate because it is synonymous with "Only beliefs that you have a valid reason to believe are valid reasons to believe." You can of course argue over weather demonstrable is synonymous with valid reason. I would define them as synonymous. 3b "Belief strength is proportional to evidence amount" is thus also correct, since it is synonymous with "You have stronger reason to believe if you have stronger reason to believe." 3c "Evidence-based beliefs are validated through re-examination." If demonstrable is synonymous with reason to believe, then 3c holds true by the definition of demonstrable.
@LifeInspector 12 жыл бұрын
thank you for your awesome thoroughness, Chris. Your explanations are incredibly lucid. My wife and I wish that you had taught us math!
@Sloxx701 12 жыл бұрын
Excellent series, I've really enjoyed them all and these videos are like a window into your transformation.
@Prplfox 12 жыл бұрын
I teach math and your analogy is right on. I could listen to you talk forever. The bravest super heroes use their voice.
@reb3331 12 жыл бұрын
Great video. Thank you for pouring in what must have been huge amounts of time so I could learn in just over 17 minutes! Utterly convincing stuff!
@CharlieFreakin 11 жыл бұрын
Please don't stop in the middle of your documentary! We're waiting eagerly :D
@palewine 5 жыл бұрын
These videos are SO GOOD.
@ImpostorModanica 11 жыл бұрын
Sincerely, I wish you prosperity and satisfaction with your personal life and the best to you and your family. I appreciate what you are doing and to show my appreciation I am doing what I can to spread your educative material to my peers. I sincerely hope that you continue to let us in on your knowledge and wisdom, and experience more of what's cooking in that beautiful mind of yours. Better sooner than later! ;)
@Gmenich6161 11 жыл бұрын
I just watched past few years of my inner life. I love you for this video you made. Thank you.
@Pracedru 12 жыл бұрын
Wow, you put words on something i've been thinking about for a long time. In my education to become an engineer i was always frustrated when forced to learn apriory truths. So i always made it a habit to relate these truths to something physical in order to accept them. Sometimes this was very time consuming, since something like resonances in the continuum of solid mater is pretty hard to imagine. I never thought that i just needed the evidentialist aproach to learning these things.
@fckingkim 11 жыл бұрын
This is the most awesome thing I've watched in years. You are one of the most intelligent people I've listened to.
@tommus 11 жыл бұрын
Evidence, your videos are thoughtful and clear. I appreciate your sincere and gentle approach in describing your deconversion and transition to a new worldview. What is so very helpful is the listing of sources for your observations. Thank you. You have inspired me in my transition from 40-plus years of Christianity to atheism.
@speedzzfreak 11 жыл бұрын
Agreed, I miss your videos Evid3nc3!!
@Rokaknot 10 жыл бұрын
This whole series is well tuned. Great job!!!!
@anyloli 12 жыл бұрын
I am so enthusiastic about your series. It's an amazing journey. Thanks for your videos they even help me with Epistemology at University. Hope to watch a new one soon.
@EdGloss 9 жыл бұрын
I have no problem operating under the following provisional assumptions since as far as I know I don't have a choice. Since they are provisional I am always willing to adjust my assumption if evidence demonstrates that necessity, or even get rid of it entirely under the same manner as before. Those assumptions are that the universe exist, I exist in it and, using my senses, I can learn things about it, and even go back and modify what I've learned based on new evidence. This is had demonstrable success and it appears to work but I'm willing accept evidence that refutes this. But until then I have no choice. Even if my assumptions are invalid, everything works as though they are which again, is ultimately what matters as far as I'm concerned.
@333_studios 4 жыл бұрын
4:38 “A set of beliefs can be internally consistent in isolation without actually being true.” This is how you warp people’s intuition about the world. Intuition relies on people’s sense of consistency and non-contradiction. Control the information they receive, and you control their intuition. Unfortunately, this is the philosophical position I took when I was questioning religion, free will, psychological ego, and my sense of reality. I could not even begin with the assumption that “I exist.” I don’t recommend this move, because truth can easily become a shouting contest, where one network of beliefs tries to overwhelm the other one with information from its own side to invoke contradictions on the other. If you find yourself trying to question your worldview while being trapped and surrounded by people whose primary motivation is to change your worldview, you can easily fall into superstition.
@PaulTheSkeptic 5 жыл бұрын
Well I'm with you. In fact, I don't think I've ever heard it all laid out like that before. So, cool.
@pinkishrhino 12 жыл бұрын
Just finished watching your videos and wanted to take a moment to give thanks for having gone through the trouble of making this incredibly insightful and educational series (which you easily could have charged for in the form of an adiobook, dvd or online lecture). It must have taken a lot of time and effort to put together. Although I enjoy the work of militant atheists such as Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens - this surely is the way to go. I hope you continue making videos.
@doubtingED 12 жыл бұрын
Your reason, logic & evidentialism (and educated intellect) is refreshing, encouraging and uplifting to all of us who pursue the reality of life through reason & evidence. I am thankful for intellectuals like you who are capable of simplifying the complexities of life and can teach and apply real knowledge over the tribalistic "demon-haunted world" of superstitious ideologies so pervasive in society. Please, never stop this important work!
@AntiCitizenX 11 жыл бұрын
You do not have to "assume" your own existence. You can prove it absolutely. "I think" - True by incorrigibility; 100 % certain "To be" - Verb: True by definition; things which think are a subset of things that exist; 100 % certain "Therefore I am" - True by compliance with axioms: if A (me) is a subset of B (things that think) and B is a subset of C (things that exist), then A is a subset of C (I am a thing that exists); 100 % certain. I exist. QED
@AntiCitizenX 11 жыл бұрын
This is a really good question that pops up in theistic debates. The real answer is that numbers, and all mathematics in general, is based on axioms. But what few people realize is that axioms are literally nothing more than made-up rules. Chess, hopscotch, and poker are all axiomatic systems as well. This is why we say that mathematics is invented and not discovered.
@annadios 11 жыл бұрын
The evidentialist math teacher vs. the rationalist math teacher part is so true. The best math professor I ever had was VERY into providing evidence for why all the rules she was teaching were true. Some of the worst math teachers I've had went the rationalist route and just assumed the entire class was keeping up.
@hybridamerica 7 жыл бұрын
Hear hear! A sincere insistence on truth will inevitably lead to other relevant questions, ad infinitum. Consciousness is first curiosity - then despair.
@MariposaRedimida 11 жыл бұрын
Omg, from believing in the bible to THIS, that was just incredible growth, you are incredibly smart, and I must re-visit all of it, because I didn't quite get it all, so much material, so well presented, I can't wait for the next video, a year without posting? Please come back!!
@Xlivesforever 12 жыл бұрын
dude your freakin awesome ive been watching your vids from the begining for like 3 or 4 hours now and man you make way to much sense....my only advice to you is to remember that not everyone thinks on this level and (unlike me) you may lose the attention of the people your trying to reach. Its absolutely amazing stuff and im still gonna fallow it but man do i have to get to bed
@speedzzfreak 11 жыл бұрын
@ Evid3nc3 Thank you for your videos and helping me to become more evidence-based in my life (I had a similar up bringing to yours). Your presentations and evidences have made a world of a difference for me. Keep up the great work and all the best wishes to you during these transitioning times in your life. I look forward to more videos from you when you can. Cheers!
@MauricioAlasPhotography 10 жыл бұрын
Good project. Lots of work and it seems quite an honest perspective. Including some of the early illusions of grandeur. Not to mention the sense of loss I have seen a few religious people have displayed when becoming non-religious. I will recommend a number of people to watch your videos.
@tofu_golem 10 жыл бұрын
I love this video series, but you pronounce abiogenesis funny. :)
@asdewwei 12 жыл бұрын
I really love these videos. I hope to see more from you soon =D
@NicklausSIR2 12 жыл бұрын
As a student in an engineering school I had difficulties in maths the goal was to cram as many calculation tools into the students heads. While I personnally memorize complicated theorems or methods much better if I can actually do the reasoning by myself. I think your thoughts about rationalism and teaching methods should be shared amongst professors. A lot of students can remember and implement complex formulaes, but few really grasp more abstract yet essential concept like "isomorphism"
@wuuspigs 11 жыл бұрын
Wow.. Awesome to see people are still commenting on these videos. Whatever Evidence is doing now, i really hope he is doing good.
@nphony 12 жыл бұрын
Complete agreement with the video, but clarification: we don't need to *learn* everything in life by evidence! We are shaped by evolution to have some instincts / innate sense of knowledge, and these might include things like basic math. It is more efficient (thus likely) to evolve instincts for anything consistent. Learning evolves only for variable things. But external factors shape instinct evolution, which is like learning. And we still need evidence to test the accuracy of our instincts.
@keystothebox 11 жыл бұрын
Great series of films, I recommend you go back and annotate the previous series to point to this one =) Anyways keep it up; I love both the production quality, clear examples and path of reason on these video's, and pure content.
@Roddog61 12 жыл бұрын
Great job. I can't wait for the next video.
@HughesNewsUS 11 жыл бұрын
This man brings some very concise arguments. I really enjoy and take pleasure in watching him intellectually dissect many false rationalizations. Please continue to bring knowledge to this world. Then, write a book! and become rich!
@dotyacd 12 жыл бұрын
"... psychologists at MIT ... asked the authors of 55 such papers how they had analysed their data ... over half the studies used faulty methods that were guaranteed to shift the results in favour of the correlations they had been looking for between mental activity and blips in parts of the brain. It’s worth bearing this in mind the next time you read about a brain-scan study which purportedly reveals how and why we do what we do." from INTELLIGENT LIFE magazine, March/April 2012
@CharlesMcClure 12 жыл бұрын
one of your best videos to date... excellent work
@seleroan 12 жыл бұрын
Wow. I've never really thought about math or logic that way. I generally approach teaching with an eye towards evidence, but I've never thought about why it is intrinsically necessary. This is great stuff!
@KitsuneShapeShifter 10 жыл бұрын
I fucking love you man, I went into this series expecting something along the lines of an interesting story of deconversion and perhaps entertainment and have so far learned far more than I thought I would. Thanks alot, you've got rid of a roadblock for my journey ;)
@SSJ3Ulcer 12 жыл бұрын
Provisional Hypothesis #1 is not an assumption. It is provable: 1. To deny is a verb. 2. One must exist in order to do something. 3. To deny one's own existence is to prove that oneself exists, since denial is an action. - One could deny that one committed an act of denial, but this would lead to an infinite regress. 4. Therefore one cannot deny one's own existence. 5. Therefore one exists.
@Evid3nc3 12 жыл бұрын
@MercifulMing This is probably the only time I will interrupt the series by formally responding to rebuttals in video form. Since evidence and Evidentialism are kind of my "thing" and it seems like I am the appropriate person to defend them.
@quad9363 3 жыл бұрын
You should read Hume, an actual evidentialist that recognizes how even our notions of causation are imparted from our own minds, similar to logic and mathematics.
@WNYmathGuy 12 жыл бұрын
@Evid3nc3 I just got a warm fuzzy at about 13:00 because in one math class the TA stated "this is simple stuff" while frustrated that we weren't learning it as he planned. I said, "if it is simple, then go explain it to an ordinary man on the street and see if they think it's simple." It's easy to confuse that when we look back on what we know without respecting how hard it was to get there in the first place.
@g24417 12 жыл бұрын
Dude your videos are always brilliant.
@Plecter 12 жыл бұрын
@Evid3nc3 Even though I am eager to see how the series continues I am still glad you address the criticism, and doing so with such maturity, patience and intelligence. In no way is this video a waste.