prase comments on Atheism = Untheism + Antitheism - Less Wrong

86 Post author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 01 July 2009 02:19AM

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Comment author: eirenicon 01 July 2009 02:15:29PM 2 points [-]

A weak atheist thinks there is no reason to believe God exists. A strong atheist thinks there is reason to believe God does not exist. The practical difference is that the strong atheist defends his position while the weak atheist doesn't think he needs to.

In a way, it's the difference between not wanting to eat spinach and thinking spinach should not be eaten. The former position does not require an epistemological defence.

Comment author: prase 01 July 2009 04:15:30PM 2 points [-]

Liking spinach (or a spinach-free society) is a statement about one's values. Belief in God is a statement about external world.

Comment author: Eliezer_Yudkowsky 01 July 2009 04:22:18PM 2 points [-]

Wouldn't it be nice if that were the way it actually worked.

Comment author: prase 01 July 2009 04:32:11PM 1 point [-]

OK. Belief in God should be a statement about external world.