Required reading
Systematic Theology Volume 1 by Charles Hodge (Available from Amazon or free here) - Continue Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) by reading up to the heading 'F. Refutation'.
My summary
Today Hodge continues exploring the subject of materialism.
Firstly Hodge speaks about positivism which declares 'that the senses are the only source of our knowledge, hence nothing exists but matter.' Hodge then goes on to critique the practical applications of positivism.
Next Hodge gives a lengthy critique of scientific materialism by outlining:
(i) leading principles;
(ii) the correlation of the physical and vital forces in materialism;
(iii) explanations for mental phenomena.
What grabbed me
Much of today's reading was depressing to read.
For example: 'All life, whether animal, vegetable, or spiritual, is due to the working of physical and chemical forces in matter. As no power exists but in matter, there can be no divine Being with creative power nor any created human soul. Berger quotes Virchow as saying, " The scientific naturalist knows only bodies and the properties of bodies." All that is beyond them he pronounces " transcendental, and the transcendental is the chimerical." He also quotes B. C. Vogt, as saying, " We admit of no creator, either in the beginning, or in the course of the world's history; and regard the idea of a self-conscious, extramundane creator as ridiculous." Man, according to these writers, consists only of a material body ; all mental acts and states are of the brain. When the body dies, the man ceases to exist. " The only immortality," says Moleschott, " is, that when the body is disintegrated, its ammonia, carbonic acid, and lime, serve to enrich the earth, and to nourish plants, which feed other generations of men."'
If that's true, then why bother living?
Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 3 (Anti-theistic theories) by reading up to the heading '5. Pantheism'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment