[MD] Dawkins a Materialist (is watching?)

[ARLO J BENSINGER JR]

[Arlo previously]
"We exist so that we can exist" conveys nothing, and is a futile purpose. Both
Case's and Stephen's suggestions say more, and are not doomed to failure by
their own words.

[Platt]
As if "to live" doesn't involve activity.

[Arlo]
"We exist so that we can exist" is a tautology. It is reducible to, simply, "We
exist". This is not "active", this is passive. Both Stephen's and Case's
statements placed "purpose" as it arises OUT of activity, not prior to it (the
stance of simply "existing").

By the way, you never answered this one either. Does a firefighter who
sacrifices his life in an attempt to save another violate his "purpose"? If our
"purpose" is simply "to live", then his actions are immoral, as the violate his
very purpose. If not, why not?

[Platt]
Anyway, there's your magical "arising" or "emerging" again. In your world,
things just happen for no reason at all.

[Arlo]
Not at all, and if you'd read what's written (by both Case and myself) you'd
know that. And if there is anything "magical" being proposed here, its your
"supernatural being" who designs and creates us and gives us purpose.

[Platt]
It's just good or bad luck, depending on the situation that "arises." Things
oblivious to the world and purpose like atoms and neurons just happens to
emerge into something that becomes conscious of the wold and exhibits purpose.

[Arlo]
Ten billion years ago, Platt, where was the "design" for humans or platypi? Why
were the dinosaurs for millions and millions of years with no people at all?
Why did this "transcendent intelligence" not just make people from the start?
Seems to me that were it not for many environmental and climate events
(including a meteor collision) the world would still be inhabited by dinosaurs.
Yes, I'd say we are lucky to be here. If billions of years ago, the one chunk
of planetary debris went on a slightly different trajectory, and never hit the
earth, there could very well be no people. Go figure.

[Platt]
The rabbit comes out of the hat. Well, golly gee-whiz. It's magic!

[Arlo]
Positing that God put the rabbit in the hat is just as magical, Platt.