Teadus ja tavauskumused
Science and Folk Perceptions

Summary/Abstract: Modern science is extremely sceptical towards the dilemma of God's existence. Which side of the argument might prove right in this historical confrontation - the one based on traditional religions and folk perceptions or that based on modern doctrines of science? Given the present-day level of human knowledge and reasoning - to what extent can we know whether God exists or not? In trying to answer the question about God's possible existence it might be more reasonable to regard God as an immensely powerful freewill being, rather than as an infinitely powerful one. First, the idea of an infinitely powerful being is probably a contradiction in itself, and, secondly, to all intents and purposes there is no difference to us whether God is infinitely powerful, or has some degree of immense power. To avoid terminological confusion and instead of using the term God, this immensely but not necessarily infinitely powerful being can be called a Super-powerful Freewill Agent, SFA for short. The issue can be approached from two aspects: (i) How plausible is the hypothesis that SFA exists, and (ii) Do we have any arguments in favour of the actual existence of SFA? Contemporary science can be likened to a totalitarian regime that rules through doctrines that have proved highly successful in practical life. Dissident folk sentiments look very puny in comparison with the majesty and achievements of the scientific empire. But in the long run the ridiculed dissident ideas may actually turn out to be correct.

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