We witness the hints of reasoning capability in the large language models today. If Descartes is not right and thinking does not imply that I am, then what does? What is then left for a human to be? If there is only matter, is the human mind also matter, and is the mind replicable in a machine?
Materialism and Life
Are there any alternatives to materialism? The belief that life is a primary building block? Religion seems to put the idea of life, the idea of a god, front and center of the worldview instead of a dead matter of materialism. Does this partially explain higher birth rates in religious populations?
Because life is the self-directing, self-replicating, and self-improving so stationarity or uniformity would be against that, and so from this a concept of a central one god would be expected. People find it easier to relate to and follow other people, so it is simpler to understand a god as a person. Notice David Deutsch’s conjecture and criticism (Popper, Xenophanes) and points on disobedience necessity for creation of an AGI.
Was René Girard right that the New Testament Bible’s exposure of the scapegoat mechanism (e.g. Leviticus 16:21-22) in that Divinity takes side of the victim forcing self-reflection and thought independent of crowds? Does this shortcut mimetic conflicts, and so is necessary for complex societies?
Had Soviet Russia collapsed, partially because ruling communism attempted to remove religion with their materialist view, but itself had lower birthrates, and so the demographics eventually shifted towards people who grew up in non-communist communities, which eventually rejected communism causing the union to collapse? Look at the chart of the Russian birthrates plummeting after 1910, which coincides with the Russian Revolution. Note that Lenin had no children, Stalin had 3, Khrushchev (de-Stalinization) had 5, Brezhnev (neo-Stalinist) had 2. The problem with this theory is that if everything stayed the same and the higher birth rates were passed to the next generation, we would see an increase in fertility later. However, that is not what the chart shows. On the other hand, the culture has changed in the West at the same time, so I don’t have an answer.
Science and Religion
Here are 4 great quotes from Sabine Hossenfelder’s (contemporary, theoretical physicist, science communicator) book Existential Physics:
- “However, the God hypothesis has no quantifiable explanatory power. You can’t calculate anything from it. That doesn’t make it wrong, but it does make it unscientific.”
- “I begin by asking him (David Deutsch), too, whether he is religious. He answers with a straightforward no. He doesn’t seem to have anything to add, so I move on to reductionism.”
- “Scientists can learn from religion that not every get-together needs to come with a teachable lesson. … to share experiences, or look forward to a traditional ceremony. Science is severely lacking in such social integration. … we should talk more about how scientific understanding made a difference for non-experts.”
- “Maybe, then, the universe is evolving toward a state in which it understands itself, and we are part of its ongoing quest. This quest began when natural selection favored species that made correct predictions about their environment, moved on to organisms that became increasingly better at understanding nature, and now continues with our (more or less) organized scientific enterprise, nationally and internationally, individually and institutionally.
Here are quotes from Linus Torvalds:
It gives people the excuse to say, ‘Oh, nature was just created,’ and so the act of creation is seen to be something miraculous.
“There are like two golden rules in life. One is ‘Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you.’ For some reason, people associate this with Christianity. I’m not a Christian. I’m agnostic. The other rule is ‘Be proud of what you do.’
Conjecture and Criticism in the Bible
Science progresses through conjecture and criticism if we follow Popper’s ideas. David Deutsch explained these ideas and popularized them in The Beginning of Infinity. Bible proverbs often praise criticism: “A wise man listens to advice” and “Better is open rebuke”. Regarding the conjectures, the bible verses promote understanding and wisdom. We have a biblical proverb:
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.”
Rockefeller was a baptist, and on the Rockefeller Center stands biblical quote:
And wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times
John Calvin and Science
John Calvin’s view on the sciences seems to be demonstrated in these quotes from the Institutes of the Christian Religion. They indicate that sciences are good, but not the most important:
.. admiration of the Divine Architect. In disquisitions concerning the motions of the stars, in fixing their situations, measuring their distances, and distinguishing their peculiar properties, there is need of skill, exactness, and industry; and the providence of God being more clearly revealed by these discoveries, the mind ought to rise to a sublimer elevation for the contemplation of his glory.
Therefore, since it appears that those whom the Scripture styles “natural men,” ψυχικους, have discovered such acuteness and perspicacity in the investigation of sublunary things, let us learn from such examples, how many good qualities the Lord has left to the nature of man, since it has been despoiled of what is truly good.
Another view on this is the idea of vocational calling (Commentary on 1 Corintians 1:20):
… that every one should be contented with his calling, and pursue it, instead of seeking to betake himself to anything else. A calling in Scripture means a lawful mode of life, for it has a relation to God as calling us…
Capitalism and Calvinism Christianity
Max Weber describes Calvinism (Puritanism) in his book The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism. Max Weber argued that doctrine of predestination placed transcendental God outside the timeline (finitum non est capax infiniti), the removed all mystical, magical, and ritualistic elements in favor of wordly affairs (labour in a calling which serves the mundane life of the community), removed all feeling in favor of systematic self-control and self-confidence (God helps those who help themselves).
On the one hand it is held to be an absolute duty to consider oneself chosen, and to combat all doubts as temptations of the devil, since lack of self-confidence is the result of insufficient faith, hence of imperfect grace. …
On the other hand, in order to attain that self-confidence intense worldly activity is recommended as the most suitable means. It and it alone disperses religious doubts and gives the certainty of grace.
Max Weber additionally argued that the faith alone doctrine removed simplistic “Good works” in favor of “worldly calling”. This in turn he hypothesized caused increase in accumulation and reinvestment of capital. However, Calvinist secularized quickly without passing their religion to their descendants, and so over time the spirit started to disappear by the times of Benjamin Franklin:
Medieval ethics not only tolerated begging but actually glorified it in the mendicant orders. Even secular beggars, since they gave the person of means opportunity for good works through giving alms, were sometimes considered an estate and treated as such. …
One of the fundamental elements of the spirit of modern capitalism, and not only of that but of all modern culture: rational conduct on the basis of the idea of the calling, was born—that is what this discussion has sought to demonstrate—from the spirit of Christian asceticism. One has only to re-read the passage from (Benjamin) Franklin, quoted at the beginning of this essay, in order to see that the essential elements of the attitude which was there called the spirit of capitalism are the same as what we have just shown to be the content of the Puritan worldly asceticism, only without the religious basis, which by Franklin’s time had died away.
While Max Weber thesis lacked quantitative data to prove his point, there are quantitative studies on The Protestant Ethic topic, which show that in some parts of the world the Calvinism faith had effects, but not always and everywhere:
- The Economic Effects of the Protestant Reformation Testing the Weber Hypothesis in the German Lands
- Was Weber Wrong? A Human Capital Theory of Protestant Economic History
- Study: The Protestant work ethic is real. psmag.com
The last one in particular, observed in simplified terms that Protestantism may not make you rich, but makes you unhappy when you’re not rich:
Tests the relation between Protestantism and work attitudes using a novel method, operationalizing work ethic as the effect of unemployment on individuals’ subjective well-being. Analyzing a sample of 150,000 individuals from 82 societies, we find strong support for a Protestant work ethic: unemployment hurts Protestants more and hurts more in Protestant societies. Whilst the results shed new light on the Protestant work ethic debate, the method has wider applicability in the analysis of attitudinal differences. …
Peter Thiel criticizes that removal of free will causes scape goating of the God by removing personal responsibility and too much focus on insufficiencies of people may cause reduce conversations, thus both causing stagnation.
Calvinist Founding of America?
There is a common opinion that Benjamin Franklin was a deist. But based on his autobiography, I think he was briefly a deist and reverted to something between calvinism and deism:
appear’d now not so clever a Performance as I once thought it; and I doubted whether some Error had not insinuated itself unperceiv’d, into my Argument, so as to infect all that follow’d, as is common in metaphysical Reasonings. I grew convinc’d that Truth, Sincerity & Integrity in Dealings between Man & Man, were of the utmost Importance to the Felicity of Life, and I form’d written Resolutions, … certain Actions might not be bad because they were forbidden by it, or good because it commanded them; yet probably those Actions might be forbidden because they were bad for us, or commanded because they were beneficial to us, in their own Natures, all the Circumstances of things considered. And this Persuasion, with the kind hand of Providence, or some guardian Angel, or accidental favorable Circumstances & Situations, or all together, preserved me
Based on above, the thesis Did America Have a Christian Founding? may be right, that the United States were predominantly founded by Calvinists of Puritan variety. Which however over time declined in numbers.
between 55 percent and 75 percent of white citizens in this era associated themselves with Calvinist churches, and members of the tradition were significantly overrepresented among American intellectual elites. King George himself reportedly referred to the War for Independence as “a Presbyterian Rebellion.”
Criticism of Mystical Pop Cultures
Calvinist criticized all magical and mystical things, but what quantitative studies tell us about it? There is a very unusual book The Pragmatist’s Guide to Crafting Religion, which is a compilation information on cultures, religions, and traditions. It identifies elements of soft or pop culture or soft culture beliefs: wishing thinking, crystals, wow-effect large things like universe, lacking specificity or containing unknowable. While these seem to be similar to intuitive early religions, in wealthy societies these are associated with very low birth rates.
Prayer from a Secular Perspective
Prayer may also be a problem-solving method by working backward from the end goal (e.g., Amazon), inversion of Charlie Munger, or Polya. We can interpret it as regarding the end goal first, which helps to create the plan:
Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. - Proverbs 16:3 (NIV)
Prayer can also be considered as practicing gratitude, which has positive psychological effects.
Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. - 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)
A prayer can also be akin to meditation, which also seems to have positive psychological effects.
therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. - 1 Peter 4:7 (ESV)
Not-Not Is What? Actionable Commandments?
Here is an attempt to extrapolate from the Ten Commandments of the Bible by flipping them from a prohibitive form into a proactive, dynamic secular form, focusing on what to do instead of what not to do. You will disagree because I cannot precisely invert negative into positive. I also provide potentially supportive quotes from other parts of the Bible. Let me know if you spot an inaccuracy?
- Worship only God becomes Focus on what increases the good and follow the best path towards that. You are responsible for the future.
- “The path of life leads upward for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)
- “But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day.” (Proverbs 4:18 ESV)
- “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28 ESV)
- “For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6 ESV)
- “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Romans 14:12 ESV)
- Make no idols becomes Value and prioritize meaningful and lasting pursuits and focus. Submit only to carefully and mindfully selected matters.
- “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2 ESV)
- “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23 ESV)
- “And do not turn aside after empty things that cannot profit or deliver, for they are empty.” (1 Samuel 12:21 ESV)
- Do not take the name of God in vain becomes Be grateful for all blessings of your life and stay positive. Steer your emotions and mind towards the meaningful and positive.
- “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Galatians 6:5 ESV)
- “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” (Proverbs 25:28 ESV)
- “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6 ESV)
- “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15 ESV)
- Remember the Sabbath day becomes Regularly organize events to spend time with your family and community. Meet new people. Seek and share what is good.
- “not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another,” (Hebrews 10:25 ESV)
- “Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.” (Proverbs 15:22 ESV)
- Honor your father and mother becomes Earn honor by becoming a father or a mother many times and teach children your good findings and beliefs.
- “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3 ESV)
- Do not murder becomes Protect and increase human life and evolve its capacity.
- “I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10 ESV)
- “Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven.” (1 Corinthians 15:49 ESV)
- Do not commit adultery becomes Nurture a healthy and loving marriage and society broadly.
- “Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25 ESV)
- Do not steal becomes Respect and protect others and share fruits of your labor with wise generosity.
- “Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.” (Ephesians 4:28 ESV)
- Do not bear false witness becomes Seek and speak the truth and wisdom, and improve integrity and consequences of judgments.
- “The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.” (Psalm 37:30 ESV)
- “for wisdom will come into your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;” (Proverbs 2:10 ESV)
- “The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.” (Proverbs 14:15 ESV)
- Do not covet becomes Wish other people well, learn to be more industrious yourself, and take pride in your work.
- “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV)
- “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11 ESV)
- “Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.” (Proverbs 22:29 ESV)
- “But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor.” (Galatians 6:4 ESV)
The Bible’s Missing Modern Words
Interesting how the Bible doesn’t have words for things that hadn’t been discovered at that time. For example, “heart” often seems to refer to “brain”. Notice how using the word brain in the place of word heart sometimes changes meaning of some quotes:
have not asked for yourself long life, nor have you asked for riches for yourself, nor have you asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern justice; behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart;
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
The heart of the wise is in the house of mourning, but the heart of fools is in the house of pleasure.
Frustration is better than laughter, because a sad face is good for the heart.
Similarly, there was no word for DNA, although the concept was also intuitively partially understood.
Christian Themes in Anime
Gurren Lagann, the only anime I could watch, kept me thinking after finishing it. Some parts seemed familiar. Then, I realized that the series’ main themes have Christian analogs. The spiral energy is similar to the Holy Spirit; Kamina plays the role of Christ, and the LorgGenome is the Father. Kamina recommends to instead of trying to believe in yourself, to instead believe in God (him - Kamina), that believes in you. He has sayings similar to “All things are possible for one who believes.” Kamina also comes back from the dead once more at the end of the show. The team eventually forms a large body, “Super Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann,” similar to the body of the Church of the bible. You can find more similarities in this link. Christianity permeates today’s culture in unexpected places worldwide.
There is also a bible quote in Ghost in Shell.
when I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child. Now that I am a man, I have no more use for childish ways. - 1 Corinthians 13:11 (Ghost in The Shell translation)
The End is The New Beginning
How does your philosophy shape your life? I hope you became more by brainstorming today with me. Where do go from here?
