102,815
edits
Changes
From Nordan Symposia
Jump to navigationJump to search→Controversy
== Controversy ==
== Controversy ==
Adherents of supernatural beliefs hold that such occurrences exist just as surely as does the natural world, whereas opponents, argue that there are natural, physical explanations for all such occurrences, summed up as {{cquote2|Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so.''" |[[Galileo]]}}
Adherents of supernatural beliefs hold that such occurrences exist just as surely as does the natural world, whereas opponents, argue that there are natural, physical explanations for all such occurrences, summed up as "Measure what is measurable, and make measurable what is not so.''" [[Galileo]]
"If we subject everything to reason, our religion will have nothing mysterious or supernatural in it. If we violate the principles of reason, our religion will be absurd and ridiculous.''" [[Blaise Pascal ]]
According to the strict materialist view, if something 'supernatural' exists, it is by definition not supernatural. Are there forces beyond the natural forces studied by physics? Are there ways of sensing that go beyond our biological senses and instruments? Most scientists today would say "No"; some mystics, believers in religion or the occult, might say "Yes". Certainly there may always be things outside of the realm of human understanding, as of yet unconfirmed and dubious in existence, and some might term these 'supernatural.'
According to the strict materialist view, if something 'supernatural' exists, it is by definition not supernatural. Are there forces beyond the natural forces studied by physics? Are there ways of sensing that go beyond our biological senses and instruments? Most scientists today would say "No"; some mystics, believers in religion or the occult, might say "Yes". Certainly there may always be things outside of the realm of human understanding, as of yet unconfirmed and dubious in existence, and some might term these 'supernatural.'
