Atheists and Empiricism...?

Question

I thought I paid the atheists a complement by explaining that they weren't rationalists:

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Auvp99H.Iv_S7GIi27B5V2_d7BR.;_ylv=3?qid=20090418221324AA6oEE4

Now, judging from the thumbs-down, either these folks don't know what a "rationalist" is (probably assuming that it has something to do with being rational), or they actually reject empiricism.

Now, if atheists reject empiricism, I would like to know about it - I mean, that seems to be their M.O. So maybe you guys can enlighten me on this one.

Anonymous · Accepted Answer

I just like unicorns, okay? Jesus Christ.

Robert R · Answer

I think you're assuming that rationalism and empiricism are mutually exclusive, which is never the case. They are different brain functions, but each aids the other in understanding the universe around us. Empiricism without rationalism is merely cataloging. 

But yes, I understood that your earlier answer was meant to be complimentary, and I'd imagine that most of the atheists here did too. I guessing that most of your "thumbs down" came from Christians.

auntb93 · Answer

You are playing with definitions of terms that are unfamiliar, and which have been used rather loosely in common speech, as compared to philosophy classes.  

But the fact is, reason IS capable of providing information beyond our senses.  Or even beyond our current instrumentation.  One analyzes the data and the logic of the situation, and cross-references it with what is otherwise known (i.e., in other situations), and reaches conclusions which are only partly suggested by the evidence of our senses.  The obvious example is when you see the connection between a piece of information over here and another over there, and realize that a general principle may be involved.  Or when you do "thought experiments" which do not rely on empirical evidence but which are based on reason alone.

? · Answer

there is a few thing observed as 'reasoning' . I examine which all issues are real looking , and which all issues actual would desire to be investigated to make certain that me to stay a greater suited existence.a image is real looking because of the fact there are tonnes of people in the international.comparable for a delivery certificates. yet whilst the delivery certificates registered a delivery on "30-Feb-1982" ..i could get sceptical .

Weise Ente · Answer

The word rational can have a different connotation that the philosophy of rationalism.

It's a semantics argument.

BSist · Answer

Yeah, you made the mistake of imagining us empiricists to be very philosophical. I think it best to integrate the two. I really don't see how you separate them.

Atheists and Empiricism...?

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