Transcendentalism And A Belief In A Higher Power

Title	Transcendentalism And A Belief In A Higher Power
# of Words	1078
# of Pages (250 words per page double spaced)	4.31

Transcendentalism and A Belief In A "Higher Power"

Transcendentalism and A Belief In A "Higher Power"

     We do not have good reasons to believe in something transcendental. Most
of the arguments in favor of God, or a so-called "higher power" are based on
faith and emotion, and not a clear logical argument. In fact, these arguments
are often in favor of throwing logic out the window. In many ways, this question
is similar to someone attempting to prove the existence of an invisible elephant.
It is far easier to prove that the elephant does not exist than it is to prove
that it does.

     Socrates' principle of examination states that we must carefully examine
all things. The tools we humans use to do this are logic and the scientific
method. In order to believe in something transcendental, you cannot examine your
beliefs using logic and science. If you do, there is no way to prove the
existence of a higher power.

     The primary argument against the existence of a Judeo-Christian all-
knowing, all-powerful, righteous God is the argument from evil. This argument
argues against the presence of a higher power using facts of ordinary life. This
argument states that most would agree that some of the pain and suffering (evil)
in this world is unnecessary. To be considered a necessary evil, the occurrence
must be the only way to produce something good, which outweighs the evil. Many
events, such as infant deaths, would not be classified in this category.

     If such an all-knowing deity existed, it states,  He would know that
this evil was occurring. If He was all-powerful, He would have the power to stop
this evil. If He was righteous, He would stop the evil from occurring
Therefore, the existence of evil cannot be compatible with the existence of this
type of God.

     The primary response to the argument from evil is the appeal to human
freedom. This argument states that God sees evil as necessary so that we humans
may be free to choose our own path. The fatal flaw in this argument is that
there are evils that exist not as a direct result of human choice. Natural evils
such as floods, earthquakes, and tornadoes serve no purpose according to this
definition, and are therefore unnecessary evils.

     A theist might respond to this with another weak rebuttal, stating that
every evil produces compassion and understanding in others, and creates good in
that regard. This is an overly positive, almost delusional view of evil. Almost
everyone will be able to come up with at least one example of someone who has
suffered an evil that has not directly or indirectly led to anything good.

      The other argument for something transcendental is the argument from
faith. It is, however, also a weak argument. It states that we will never be
able to find direct evidence of God's existence through logic or natural science,
so we must find an alternate method. This argument requires us to suspend
Socrates' basic philosophical principle of examination. The argument from faith
asks us to leave this idea alone, and simply believe that it works. This basic
lack of logic and reasoning makes this a weak argument.

     Another of the arguments is the design argument. This states that the
universe is far too structured and complex to be derived from a big bang, or
another random sequence of events. A transcendental "watchm...

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