U3A: Discussions that are developing thought
TODMORDEN'S University of the Third Age had 15 members present at a recent meeting of the philosophy group where they considered the work of David Hume in his writings on "Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion", writes Geoff Boswell.
Hume presented his arguments in terms of a conversation between three characters: Cleanthes who believed in God, Philo who was a sceptic and Pamphilus who thought that we are finite and human so could not possible contemplate the nature of God.
Cleanthes argued that the word behaves in an ordered and "mechanical" way so it must have a maker. This really got the discussion going ranging quite widely.
The question was asked, "Why do we search for meaning?" It was agreed that even primitive societies search for the meaning of life and perhaps the idea of God takes away responsibility for what can happen in life.
It was said that people whom develop plausible explanations for events, such as witch doctors, become powerful in their societies. Things we cannot explain become "Act of God", which is very useful for insurance companies.
In a secular world without religion where are the boundaries? We noticed that boundaries change as society changes and different societies have different codes of behaviour. Perhaps religion encourages us to become more selfless and religious communities care for each other.
These discussions rarely achieve consensus but we develop respect for other points of view and they allow intelligent older people to exercise their minds in a convivial atmosphere.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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