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Monism (or at lest the version of it Spinoza deals with) claims that creation is part of God. So monism says that (universe ∈ God). This is not, for the most p

by dvt 12y ago

Monism (or at lest the version of it Spinoza deals with) claims that creation is part of God. So monism says that (universe ∈ God). This is not, for the most part, what Christians philosophically believe. For example, evil, which is certainly a part of our universe is most definitely not a part of God; God is metaphysicsl whilst the universe is physical; the universe is temporal, God is not; etc. This is what I mean by there is a "clear distinction" between the two. Monism, by definition, argues that "everything is one".

ThomPete 12y ago
Monism can also mean there is only one supreme being so its not as clear cut as one might think. Furthermore this is getting into some of the areas of theological not philosophical or logical interpretation. In order for any of what you say to make sense I have to buy the idea of god to begin with which I don't and even if I did it's quite obvious that the attempt to make the distinction isn't grounded in reasoning which is fine since it's religion.
- dvt 12y ago
  Monism has a very well-defined meaning in philosophy. Monism does not mean "there is only one supreme being"; that's monotheism. Monism might imply monotheism, but I'd have to think about that as it doesn't seem trivial to conclude. The distinction is grounded in logic, per Spinoza (and later Leibnitz, who was also a monist and wrote the famous Monadology). I don't mean to sound dismissive, but it really sounds like you need to do some serious reading to gain some domain knowledge before jumping in this kind of discussion. You can start by looking at the SEP page: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/monism/ http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/monism/
  - ThomPete 12y ago
    No monotheism means that you only believe in one god. I know very well what monism means so don't worry about how much I read on that account. Of course monism can mean there is only one supreme being if that supreme being is being said to be the creator of the world we exist in. It's just a matter of definition. And again the objection to the quote is the primary center for this discussion and in that context it's not clear exactly what is meant with creation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism
    - dvt 12y ago
      Again, I suggest you read the SEP article. It will give you a very good primer on what monism is. The Wikipedia article is full of nonsense and incorrect information. The fact that you linked it just strengthens my argument: you really need to gain some domain knowledge of the topic. Keep in mind that monism doesn't even require an "intellect" (or supreme being, as you refer to it). Instead, it is a theory about the relationship between physical and metaphysical substance(s).
      - ThomPete 12y ago
        Which means it means a lot of different things and not one specific depending on the premise with which you start.

by dvt 12y ago

ThomPete 12y ago

Monism can also mean there is only one supreme being so its not as clear cut as one might think. Furthermore this is getting into some of the areas of theological not philosophical or logical interpretation. In order for any of what you say to make sense I have to buy the idea of god to begin with which I don't and even if I did it's quite obvious that the attempt to make the distinction isn't grounded in reasoning which is fine since it's religion.

dvt 12y ago
Monism has a very well-defined meaning in philosophy. Monism does not mean "there is only one supreme being"; that's monotheism. Monism might imply monotheism, but I'd have to think about that as it doesn't seem trivial to conclude. The distinction is grounded in logic, per Spinoza (and later Leibnitz, who was also a monist and wrote the famous Monadology). I don't mean to sound dismissive, but it really sounds like you need to do some serious reading to gain some domain knowledge before jumping in this kind of discussion. You can start by looking at the SEP page: http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/monism/ http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/monism/
- ThomPete 12y ago
  No monotheism means that you only believe in one god. I know very well what monism means so don't worry about how much I read on that account. Of course monism can mean there is only one supreme being if that supreme being is being said to be the creator of the world we exist in. It's just a matter of definition. And again the objection to the quote is the primary center for this discussion and in that context it's not clear exactly what is meant with creation. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monism
  - dvt 12y ago
    Again, I suggest you read the SEP article. It will give you a very good primer on what monism is. The Wikipedia article is full of nonsense and incorrect information. The fact that you linked it just strengthens my argument: you really need to gain some domain knowledge of the topic. Keep in mind that monism doesn't even require an "intellect" (or supreme being, as you refer to it). Instead, it is a theory about the relationship between physical and metaphysical substance(s).
    - ThomPete 12y ago
      Which means it means a lot of different things and not one specific depending on the premise with which you start.