HASSERS to redefine our statement 'Sceptics'

In the first 2 draft of HASSERS statements (December 2007 & May 2008) I defined Sceptics - HASSERS are Sceptics who suspend judgment because knowledge is rarely final. More

The rating was 57% (lowest score of all May 2008 statements).

The Sceptics statement (January 2009) will be defined as:
HASSERS are Sceptics who are disposed to incredulity & doubt hence suspend final judgment; are intellectually cautious & continually test their knowledge.

Anonymous said "

2 Comments - Show Original Post Collapse comments

Anonymous said...

A skeptic should not be an atheist. A skeptic 'suspends judgment' whereas an atheist has made a judgment and claims to know what is not known, just as a theist does. A skeptic should be an agnostic not an atheist. The scientific approach should be based on doubt, uuncertainty and probability especially since the arrival of Quantum Physics.

30 January 2008 15:53

and I replied

Chris Street said...

It depends on what you mean by Atheist. As an atheist I have found there to be insufficient evidence for me to subscribe to the idea that God exists. I do not know that God definitely does not exist. In this sense I am agnostic. For all practical purposes however, I am an atheist.

HASSERS or HASSNERS? Vote for 'Naturalistic'

Are you Naturalistic? The natural world (i.e. the Universe) is all that exists. All observable events in nature are explainable only by natural causes. Nothing supernatural or mystical exists.

We have had 13 Votes For and None against (in a few days) the statement 'Naturalistic'. The name of this group will be changed from HASSERS to HASSNERS with immediate effect.

Thanks to everyone who voted and to Naumadd for his idea.










HASSERS Associate member Naumadd (Seattle, USA) joined on 2nd January 2009. He suggests "a statement that appears missing - NATURALIST - HANSSERS affirm that "nature" is synonymous with "exists" in that nature is all that exists, all that ever has, and all that ever will exist.

Some positive statement regarding the nature of reality or "all that exists" must be made which provides the basis for all other positive statements. More clearly, one needs a positive metaphysical statement that supports one's positive statements regarding epistemology (the nature of knowledge), ethics (the nature of values), politics (the nature of human relationships) and aesthetics (the nature of beauty and ugliness). Granted, in the seven statements there are hints as to one's position in these categories, however, in the least, a clear statement regarding one's belief on the nature of reality must set the stage for the rest.

For secular humanist atheist ethical rationalist sceptics there is a very clear difference between their answer as to the basic nature of reality and the answer of theists. That basic difference sets the stage for all other disagreements."

Naumadd suggested 'Naturalistic be  added

I replied ..
"Thanks Naumadd for your Naturalist statement suggestions. Naturalistic is a term used by Brights - http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/bright/bright_ind... & http://www.the-brights.net/and I do think it captures an important element of the HASSERS statements which is not explicitly stated. I'm going to create a poll to see what others think of Naturalistic as an addition to HASSERS to form acronym HASSNERS or HANSSERS.

From Wikipedia, "Philosophical naturalism is, as a position, the idea that all phenomena can be explained in terms of natural causes and laws. In its broadest and strongest sense, naturalism is the metaphysical position that "nature is all there is and all basic truths are truths of nature."^[1] This is generally referred to as metaphysical or ontological naturalism. Any method of inquiry or investigation or any procedure for gaining knowledge that limits itself to natural, physical, and material approaches and explanations can be described as naturalistic."

This is the meaning of Naturalistic in the HASSNERS statements.

NB. Another basic form, called methodological naturalism, is the epistemology and methodological principle which forms the foundation for the scientific method. It requires that scientific hypotheses are explained and tested by reference to natural causes and events.^[2] Yet another form of naturalism is the idea that the methods of science should be used in philosophy.

• Center For Naturalism has other definitions of Naturalism (which HASSNERS do not necessarily subscribe to)
• and a FAQ
  

Redefintions & Comments of HASSERS - Humanist term

Nick C said in HASSERS forum Jan 22nd:

Humanist-----Projects confusion and the word may put people off. I
have personal experience of this as I knew about Dorset humanists and
never attended, yet as soon a smaller atheist group came along who
weren't solely humanist, I came along.

Richard G said in HASSERS forum Jan 22nd:

Humanist - I too have difficulty understanding what Humanism actually is. From what I have seen, I go along with most of it and I would identify with

it in the following sense. If the morality of religion is "in group
morality" (see "Love Thy Neighbor") as opposed to "general morality",
the latter is a far better thing that should be strived for. The
"group", in general morality, is the whole of humanity (and, to some
extent, animals as well).


Mon 21/07/2008 18:18 Maria MacLachlan humanism-pmg@yahoogroups.co.uk said "Human values are those qualities that come under the broad headings of love, peace, justice, truth and responsibility."

Amendments to HASSERS Statement - Antireligious

Thanks to Richard G who recommended www.strongatheism.net - see Strong Atheism FAQ at the Inaugural HASSERS meeting on 17th January 2008. The case for strong atheism seems strong!

When the HASSERS Statement are next revamped the word 'strong' before 'atheists' will be added in the Antireligious Statement to become:-

Antireligious - HASSERS are Antireligious strong atheists & activists who take direct opposition to some religions in some contexts.