Talk:Shifting the burden of proof
(answer positive claim question) |
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on 7 January 2009 was this sentence deleted: | on 7 January 2009 was this sentence deleted: | ||
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"However, if a strong atheist makes the positive claim that no gods exist, then he or she has the burden of proving this claim. " | "However, if a strong atheist makes the positive claim that no gods exist, then he or she has the burden of proving this claim. " | ||
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and isn´t "A theist is someone who claims that there is a god." a bit incorrect? | and isn´t "A theist is someone who claims that there is a god." a bit incorrect? | ||
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| + | I would propose something like the following: | ||
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| + | "A (gnostic) theist who claims that there is a god has the burden of proof. An (gnostic) atheist who claims that there is no god has the burden of proof too. While the Agnostic theist/atheist would not claim anything in the first place, so they don´t have the burden of proof in a discussion" | ||
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| + | But maybe I am just missing the point here, because I don´t understand what the "positive claim" means??? (I am german and basicly only understand the word positive and claim but not the combination) | ||
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| + | :A "positive claim" in this context is an assertion. Whether someone is saying that god does exist or that god does not exist, he is making an assertion. | ||
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| + | :I think it's important to note that the philosophic burden of proof is on the person whose position is contrary to what has already been established (i.e. conventional wisdom). In a debate setting, who has the higher burden of proof depends on the audience, not on the position taken. | ||
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| + | :Of course, in a debate setting, both sides have to take a positive position or it won't be much of a debate. | ||
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| + | :I have no opinion on your proposed change. --[[User:Jaban|Jaban]] 13:24, 12 October 2010 (CDT) | ||
Latest revision as of 13:24, 12 October 2010
Positive Claim
on 7 January 2009 was this sentence deleted:
"However, if a strong atheist makes the positive claim that no gods exist, then he or she has the burden of proving this claim. "
why?
and isn´t "A theist is someone who claims that there is a god." a bit incorrect?
I would propose something like the following:
"A (gnostic) theist who claims that there is a god has the burden of proof. An (gnostic) atheist who claims that there is no god has the burden of proof too. While the Agnostic theist/atheist would not claim anything in the first place, so they don´t have the burden of proof in a discussion"
But maybe I am just missing the point here, because I don´t understand what the "positive claim" means??? (I am german and basicly only understand the word positive and claim but not the combination)
- A "positive claim" in this context is an assertion. Whether someone is saying that god does exist or that god does not exist, he is making an assertion.
- I think it's important to note that the philosophic burden of proof is on the person whose position is contrary to what has already been established (i.e. conventional wisdom). In a debate setting, who has the higher burden of proof depends on the audience, not on the position taken.
- Of course, in a debate setting, both sides have to take a positive position or it won't be much of a debate.
- I have no opinion on your proposed change. --Jaban 13:24, 12 October 2010 (CDT)
