Philosophy/Science find dualism in Veritas Forum
John Rittenhouse, Adjunct Professor of Christian Apologetics at Bila University in Los Angeles, spoke yesterday on the true nature of human beings at a Veritas forum lecture, a series sponsored by various campus ministries.
Rittenhouse focused his discussion of the broad questions of what it means to be human. Prominent questions featured included: Are human beings simply material objects; is there an immaterial part of being human; is science the best or only discipline by which to gain truth?
"I don't claim to be an incredible expert on the subject, but I have read and studied with experts," Rittenhouse said.
Rittenhouse launched into his investigation by saying that science and its related disciplines are not the only sources of knowledge in the world, dealing instead with cause and effects actions in the material universe.
Rittenhouse went on to question our senses and their role in understanding reality.
"How do you know that [the digital read-out] in the lab is real? How do you know your eyes are accurately seeing that? All of those things I've just mentioned are all philosophical paradigms," Rittenhouse said.
After laying this groundwork of skepticism, Rittenhouse described the two major views of human beings, physicalism and dualism. Physicalism was described as viewing the body as a physical substance, while dualism sees the body as both material and non-material substance, what is commonly called a soul.
Rittenhouse defended his adherence to the view of dualism, citing examples of non-physical objects such as reasons, propositions, thoughts, laws of logic, numbers and information.
"The idea that science captures everything, except the center of everyone's universe, his own consciousness, makes a laughingstock of its claims to present a plausible world view," Rittenhouse said.
After Rittenhouse's presentation Professor Thomas Coarson, physician and faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, led a portion of the Veritas Forum where undergraduates, graduates and members of the Charles Village community asked questions to Rittenhouse about his views on various philosophical, theological and scientific topics.
Rittenhouse focused his discussion of the broad questions of what it means to be human. Prominent questions featured included: Are human beings simply material objects; is there an immaterial part of being human; is science the best or only discipline by which to gain truth?
"I don't claim to be an incredible expert on the subject, but I have read and studied with experts," Rittenhouse said.
Rittenhouse launched into his investigation by saying that science and its related disciplines are not the only sources of knowledge in the world, dealing instead with cause and effects actions in the material universe.
Rittenhouse went on to question our senses and their role in understanding reality.
"How do you know that [the digital read-out] in the lab is real? How do you know your eyes are accurately seeing that? All of those things I've just mentioned are all philosophical paradigms," Rittenhouse said.
After laying this groundwork of skepticism, Rittenhouse described the two major views of human beings, physicalism and dualism. Physicalism was described as viewing the body as a physical substance, while dualism sees the body as both material and non-material substance, what is commonly called a soul.
Rittenhouse defended his adherence to the view of dualism, citing examples of non-physical objects such as reasons, propositions, thoughts, laws of logic, numbers and information.
"The idea that science captures everything, except the center of everyone's universe, his own consciousness, makes a laughingstock of its claims to present a plausible world view," Rittenhouse said.
After Rittenhouse's presentation Professor Thomas Coarson, physician and faculty member at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, led a portion of the Veritas Forum where undergraduates, graduates and members of the Charles Village community asked questions to Rittenhouse about his views on various philosophical, theological and scientific topics.
Be the first to comment on this story