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Author Topic:   3 Theories Of Everything by Ellis Potter
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 1 of 99 (879151)
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


When I first picked this book up, I was expecting a book that would challenge my world view rather than simply support it. I had no idea who this author was nor of his background, but I felt drawn to his logic and expressed desire to find the truth or truths about philosophy,theology, and perhaps even science...though to be fair I steer around science using philosophy as an excuse. And he actually mentions this in the book!
Anyway, allow me to break the book down Chapter by Chapter.
From The Back Cover:
What is reality? What is the meaning of human life? Why do we suffer? In this concise volume, international speaker Ellis Potter explores three major worldviews that propose radically different answers to these eternal questions. In clear and compelling language, Potter shows us that the three worldviews,and the unique hope that each offers to humanity, have profoundly different consequences for how we see everyday reality and the ultimate purpose in our lives.
Lets start with The First Circle.
Potter basically breaks the three worldviews down as
Monism
Dualism
Trinitarianism
And when I saw the third one I was pleasent surprised that this author expressed familiarity with my own beliefs and indeed went farther than I ever have at asking questions.
It turns out that Potter originally was a Buddhist.
This book is good! I really enjoy the questions that he asks.
Here is an example of his thinking:
God alone is God
but
God is not alone

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
We must realize that the Reformation world view leads in the direction of government freedom. But the humanist world view with inevitable certainty leads in the direction of statism. This is so because humanists, having no god, must put something at the center, and it is inevitably society, government, or the state.- Francis A. Schaeffer
The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.
- Criss Jami, Killosophy

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by ringo, posted 07-12-2020 2:58 PM Phat has replied
 Message 3 by Tangle, posted 07-12-2020 3:35 PM Phat has replied
 Message 5 by PaulK, posted 07-12-2020 3:40 PM Phat has replied
 Message 7 by AZPaul3, posted 07-12-2020 5:51 PM Phat has not replied
 Message 14 by AnswersInGenitals, posted 07-13-2020 5:02 PM Phat has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 2 of 99 (879170)
07-12-2020 2:58 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


Phat writes:
Here is an example of his thinking:
God alone is God
but
God is not alone
That would look good on your bumper.

"I've been to Moose Jaw, now I can die." -- John Wing

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 2:10 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 3:39 PM ringo has replied

  
Tangle
Member
Posts: 9489
From: UK
Joined: 10-07-2011
Member Rating: 4.9


(1)
Message 3 of 99 (879173)
07-12-2020 3:35 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


just somebody else making shit up

Je suis Charlie. Je suis Ahmed. Je suis Juif. Je suis Parisien. I am Mancunian. I am Brum. I am London.I am Finland. Soy Barcelona
"Life, don't talk to me about life" - Marvin the Paranoid Android
"Science adjusts it's views based on what's observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."
- Tim Minchin, in his beat poem, Storm.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 2:10 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 12:56 AM Tangle has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 4 of 99 (879174)
07-12-2020 3:39 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by ringo
07-12-2020 2:58 PM


Bumper Stickers 101
ringo writes:
That would look good on your bumper.
well I hate bumper stickers! They clutter up the car and are hard to take off once you get tired of them. But Ellis does have some meat to chew on regarding some of the things you and I have discussed.
I once asserted to you the following:
Science is an intrinsic part of reality. Science is not all of reality.
ringo writes:
Now you're scoffing at science.
There's no such thing as placing too much value on reality.
Except that Ellis would argue that within the concept of monism one could claim scientism but that this limits the concept to an absolute.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
We must realize that the Reformation world view leads in the direction of government freedom. But the humanist world view with inevitable certainty leads in the direction of statism. This is so because humanists, having no god, must put something at the center, and it is inevitably society, government, or the state.- Francis A. Schaeffer
The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.
- Criss Jami, Killosophy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by ringo, posted 07-12-2020 2:58 PM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 6 by ringo, posted 07-12-2020 3:50 PM Phat has not replied

  
PaulK
Member
Posts: 17822
Joined: 01-10-2003
Member Rating: 2.2


Message 5 of 99 (879175)
07-12-2020 3:40 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


I don’t think that monism or dualism can be described as worldviews and trintarianism - presumably the belief that there are three substances - probably can’t either.
(E.g. Idealism and Materialism are both forms of monism but I can’t say that they are the same worldview at all)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 2:10 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 16 by Phat, posted 07-14-2020 2:44 AM PaulK has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 6 of 99 (879177)
07-12-2020 3:50 PM
Reply to: Message 4 by Phat
07-12-2020 3:39 PM


Re: Bumper Stickers 101
Phat writes:
Except that Ellis would argue that within the concept of monism one could claim scientism but that this limits the concept to an absolute.
Philosophical mumbo-jumbo, too long for a bumper sticker.
If Potter has any arguments of value, bring them here in your own words.

"I've been to Moose Jaw, now I can die." -- John Wing

This message is a reply to:
 Message 4 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 3:39 PM Phat has not replied

  
AZPaul3
Member
Posts: 8513
From: Phoenix
Joined: 11-06-2006
Member Rating: 5.3


(1)
Message 7 of 99 (879189)
07-12-2020 5:51 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


Why do so many continue to push the ravings of charlatans spouting philosophical convolutions pulled from their emotional asses? This fool can know no more about the limiting vagaries of worldviews than a bicycle mechanic knows the intricacies of the LHC. He's a religious philosopher who wrote a book to sell. He knows nothing but how to strike emotional chords.

Factio Republicana delenda est.
I am antifa.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 2:10 PM Phat has not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 8 of 99 (879212)
07-13-2020 12:56 AM
Reply to: Message 3 by Tangle
07-12-2020 3:35 PM


And I think that you are willfully ignorant for belueving that scientism and materialisn is all that there is. Humans do far mire than simply make stuff up. the characters exist apart from and outside of the book. No way to prove it to you though.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
We must realize that the Reformation world view leads in the direction of government freedom. But the humanist world view with inevitable certainty leads in the direction of statism. This is so because humanists, having no god, must put something at the center, and it is inevitably society, government, or the state.- Francis A. Schaeffer
The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.
- Criss Jami, Killosophy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Tangle, posted 07-12-2020 3:35 PM Tangle has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 9 by Tangle, posted 07-13-2020 2:31 AM Phat has replied
 Message 10 by ringo, posted 07-13-2020 12:44 PM Phat has replied
 Message 13 by AnswersInGenitals, posted 07-13-2020 4:57 PM Phat has not replied

  
Tangle
Member
Posts: 9489
From: UK
Joined: 10-07-2011
Member Rating: 4.9


(1)
Message 9 of 99 (879219)
07-13-2020 2:31 AM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-13-2020 12:56 AM


Phat writes:
Humans do far mire than simply make stuff up. the characters exist apart from and outside of the book.
They made the book up, but at least there is a book for you to believe in, nonsense though most of it is. But it's quite another thing when people start imagining and claiming all sorts of crap that is not in the book. They can say absolutely anything they like because it's not open to challenge. It's just religious babble with no verifyable meaning.
No way to prove it to you though.
Or to you, or anybody. You just swallow it whole because it fits your personal belief.

Je suis Charlie. Je suis Ahmed. Je suis Juif. Je suis Parisien. I am Mancunian. I am Brum. I am London.I am Finland. Soy Barcelona
"Life, don't talk to me about life" - Marvin the Paranoid Android
"Science adjusts it's views based on what's observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."
- Tim Minchin, in his beat poem, Storm.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 12:56 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 11 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 3:45 PM Tangle has replied

  
ringo
Member (Idle past 411 days)
Posts: 20940
From: frozen wasteland
Joined: 03-23-2005


Message 10 of 99 (879233)
07-13-2020 12:44 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-13-2020 12:56 AM


Phat writes:
the characters exist apart from and outside of the book.
Sure, Long John Silver has an existence outside the book. Y'know, that whole Arr! thing that people attribute to all pirates was originated by Robert Newton in the 1950 movie. You should see him in some of his other movies like Jamaica Inn.
But I don't pretend to be "in communion" with either Long John Silver or Robert Newton.

"I've been to Moose Jaw, now I can die." -- John Wing

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 12:56 AM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 12 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 3:49 PM ringo has replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 11 of 99 (879248)
07-13-2020 3:45 PM
Reply to: Message 9 by Tangle
07-13-2020 2:31 AM


O Tangled One
Another beautiful day! I look around and blink because I realize the times we are in--everyone wearing masks and collectively dealing with human issues such as survival. Its a good thing to be rationally minded and to understand that viruses can kill humans. It is a necessary task to wear the mask and to keep the hands clean and to avoid contamination. Science has its usefulness. That being said, my argument with yo today is tp pursue the idea and ideal that there is something more---a grand scheme to it all. Ellis Potter does that quite effectively and persuasively in this book.
Tangle writes:
They made the book up, but at least there is a book for you to believe in, nonsense though most of it is. But it's quite another thing when people start imagining and claiming all sorts of crap that is not in the book. They can say absolutely anything they like because it's not open to challenge. It's just religious babble with no verifiable meaning.
I'm assuming you mean the Bible, though I suppose that your charge could also apply to Ellis Potters book.

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
We must realize that the Reformation world view leads in the direction of government freedom. But the humanist world view with inevitable certainty leads in the direction of statism. This is so because humanists, having no god, must put something at the center, and it is inevitably society, government, or the state.- Francis A. Schaeffer
The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.
- Criss Jami, Killosophy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 9 by Tangle, posted 07-13-2020 2:31 AM Tangle has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 15 by Tangle, posted 07-13-2020 5:05 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
Phat
Member
Posts: 18262
From: Denver,Colorado USA
Joined: 12-30-2003
Member Rating: 1.1


Message 12 of 99 (879250)
07-13-2020 3:49 PM
Reply to: Message 10 by ringo
07-13-2020 12:44 PM


ringoisms and jingoisms
Cant you get out of your narrow thinking and attempt to be philosophical for a change? Sure Long John Silver is simply a character in a book, but he was in someones head long before that. Moreover, Long John Silver may have evolved from thoughts and experiences far deeper than his character in the book actually hinted at.
You seem to adhere to this world view:
Wiki writes:
Metaphysical naturalism (also called ontological naturalism, philosophical naturalism and antisupernaturalism) is a philosophical worldview which holds that there is nothing but natural elements, principles, and relations of the kind studied by the natural sciences. Methodological naturalism is a philosophical basis for science, for which metaphysical naturalism provides only one possible ontological foundation. Broadly, the corresponding theological perspective is religious naturalism or spiritual naturalism. More specifically, metaphysical naturalism rejects the supernatural concepts and explanations that are part of many religions.
Am I close?

"A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes." ~Mark Twain "
***
We must realize that the Reformation world view leads in the direction of government freedom. But the humanist world view with inevitable certainty leads in the direction of statism. This is so because humanists, having no god, must put something at the center, and it is inevitably society, government, or the state.- Francis A. Schaeffer
The whole war between the atheist and the theist comes down to this: the atheist believes a 'what' created the universe; the theist believes a 'who' created the universe.
- Criss Jami, Killosophy

This message is a reply to:
 Message 10 by ringo, posted 07-13-2020 12:44 PM ringo has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 24 by ringo, posted 07-14-2020 11:39 AM Phat has replied

  
AnswersInGenitals
Member (Idle past 150 days)
Posts: 673
Joined: 07-20-2006


(1)
Message 13 of 99 (879256)
07-13-2020 4:57 PM
Reply to: Message 8 by Phat
07-13-2020 12:56 AM


The spell checker knows best.
Phat writes:
Humans do far mire than simply make stuff up
Your spell checker is making a fool of you. You (but, thankfully, not all humans) are truly mired in heaps of made up stuff.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 8 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 12:56 AM Phat has not replied

  
AnswersInGenitals
Member (Idle past 150 days)
Posts: 673
Joined: 07-20-2006


(1)
Message 14 of 99 (879258)
07-13-2020 5:02 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Phat
07-12-2020 2:10 PM


Truth is in the mind
I
I am not nothing.
I am not something.
I am everything.
I was there at the beginning of time.
I caused the beginning of time.
I am the beginning of time.
All that is, I created.
All that was and is no more, I destroyed.
I will be there at the end of time.
I will cause the end of time.
I will be the end of time.
I am your Imagination.
{the Upyourshepans, Canto 17, verse 6}

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Phat, posted 07-12-2020 2:10 PM Phat has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 95 by Phat, posted 01-17-2021 3:32 PM AnswersInGenitals has not replied

  
Tangle
Member
Posts: 9489
From: UK
Joined: 10-07-2011
Member Rating: 4.9


Message 15 of 99 (879259)
07-13-2020 5:05 PM
Reply to: Message 11 by Phat
07-13-2020 3:45 PM


Re: O Tangled One
Phat writes:
I'm assuming you mean the Bible, though I suppose that your charge could also apply to Ellis Potters book.
Of course.

Je suis Charlie. Je suis Ahmed. Je suis Juif. Je suis Parisien. I am Mancunian. I am Brum. I am London.I am Finland. Soy Barcelona
"Life, don't talk to me about life" - Marvin the Paranoid Android
"Science adjusts it's views based on what's observed.
Faith is the denial of observation so that Belief can be preserved."
- Tim Minchin, in his beat poem, Storm.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 11 by Phat, posted 07-13-2020 3:45 PM Phat has seen this message but not replied

  
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