Originally posted by: Jeff7
Originally posted by: Crono
Everything we observe in this world is observed by one or a combination of the senses. How do we know that what we observe is actually there, that our senses (and brain) aren't lying to us? The answer is that we don't. Any evidence that we could use to "prove" that our senses are accurately reporting reality would invariably rely upon our senses. In other words, we believe in what we physically observe because we believe what we physically observe. This would appear to be circular logic.
This is philosophy. We've really got no choice but to go on the assumption that our senses are giving us a reasonably good idea of what's going on. Perception determines reality. If we can't perceive something in
any way, then for our practical purposes, it doesn't exist.
But what you are ignoring, and what that diagram ignores, is the "internal" evidence, the things we all fundamentally hold to be true because we cannot live or act without assuming those things to be true. All people have elemental faith in their own existence - even if they question their own existence, they act (actions speak louder than words) as if they do exist.
I believe in God and the Bible because His existence is disclosed to me, and whether I wanted to or not, I cannot deny that He exists. Truth is truth, whether I accept it or not. I know God exists as much as I know I exist. And the external evidence, the universe which I observe, testifies in agreement to the internal truth of His existence. According to the Bible, all men know that God exists, but many (most) do not love that He does, and they suppress the truth and accept lies so that they can continue to live in darkness and practice sin.
Source of internal "evidence": God.
Why? Because the Bible says so. See Wheel of Power figure.
And again, questioning, "Do I really exist?" is a philosophy question. If I assume that I don't exist, well, that doesn't really leave non-existant me very much to do here, no? But even that idea itself may come from external sources. You are taught how to conceive of the idea of "I exist," and how to express it. You are taught how to structure the thought - taught from sources external to your own mind.
I don't "know" that God exists, and I'm not holding my hands over my ears and going "lalalala god does not exist lalala" any more than I would do the same to "deny" the existence of leprechauns living in my computer. They simply aren't there.
But to account for your statements about, "Can we really have 'faith' in our senses?" bit, ok, fine. Maybe there are leprechauns living in my computer, and they make it work.
I have no evidence of them though. None. And they apparently cannot directly influence me. So why bother even saying they exist? For any practical purpose, they do not. The workings of my computer is explained by motion of electrons, not leprechons.
