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Atheism/atheisms and life-purpose

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Expert: - 4/2/2010


Question
hello

I was wondering:

   Since sense and purpose in a object imply an intention who created this very object:
if we (atheists and agnostics) attribute senses/purposes for humans' existence (eg: life is made to nothing but help each other, to feed the poor, to study nature, ect...),
do we necessarly assume implicitly the existence of universe-creator(s)?


sincerely

Answer
"Since sense and purpose in a object imply an intention who created this very object:"

That's not a valid implication. A person may create an object for one purpose but I may use it for another purpose. Sense and purpose can come from source other than a creator.

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Austin Cline

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I can address questions regarding atheism, agnosticism, skepticism, humanism, religious philosophy & history, and arguments both for and against theism. I am also familiar with many of the skeptical and atheist resources in print and on the internet.

Experience

I have been an atheist and a secular humanist for many years. I actively run a site about agnosticism & atheism and attempt to help people understand more about these topics. I have made extensive study of both philosophy and of a wide vareity of religions.

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I belong to the Freedom From Religion Foundation and the Council for Secular Humanism.

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My writings appear every week on the Agnosticism/Atheism site

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I have a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MA from Princeton University. I have also studied in Germany and Switzerland.

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Phi Beta Kappa and a Fulbright Scholar.

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