Hypothetical situation

[firth4eva]

So if you did an experiment with some people(hypothetically). Get 5 male newborn children and 5 female newborn children and put them in an environment that caters for their every need in order for them to live a life where everything material is provided for them. Do you think they would think of God themselves or simply exist?

Or is this a load of bullshit that is never gonna happen and the experiment is impossible so you don't care?

[jay_a2j]

Or is this a load of bullshit that is never gonna happen and the experiment is impossible so you don't care?

That about sums it up.

[got tonkaed]

While it would be almost impossible to create the scenario, if i was betting on it, i would bet they would concieve of some form of the supernatural, but perhaps not a monotheistic God. Given the incredible frequency in which groups of people throughout history have believed in some form of a higher power, it seems probably these people would as well.

[Fruitcake]

While it would be almost impossible to create the scenario, if i was betting on it, i would bet they would concieve of some form of the supernatural, but perhaps not a monotheistic God. Given the incredible frequency in which groups of people throughout history have believed in some form of a higher power, it seems probably these people would as well.

Highly likely Tonkead. After all, if they were completely unaware of the outside world, they would ultimately start wondering how their environment came about, where the food and sustenance came from and how they themselves came about. One assumes this would mean they would, in fact, be paying homage to those who were the providers as their God(s). An ironic situation if you think about it, as the reality of the situation would be that those who had carried out such a henious experiment would, in fact, be the very Devil themselves.

[Frantic Freezer]

is god the one that died on the cross thing ?

[AlgyTaylor]

is god the one that died on the cross thing ?

No silly - that's Moses.


As to the question - yes, of course they would. Lots of experimental evidence to suggest that.

[DAZMCFC]

is god the one that died on the cross thing ?

No silly - that's Moses.


As to the question - yes, of course they would. Lots of experimental evidence to suggest that.

Remi Moses who use to play for West Brom?

i thought he was still alive.

[heavycola]

So if you did an experiment with some people(hypothetically). Get 5 male newborn children and 5 female newborn children and put them in an environment that caters for their every need in order for them to live a life where everything material is provided for them. Do you think they would think of God themselves or simply exist?

Or is this a load of bullshit that is never gonna happen and the experiment is impossible so you don't care?

Let's MAKE it happen.

I agree, fruitcake - if they depend on factors outside their control to live (provision of food, light, warmth etc) they will ascribe that provision to a supernatural being. Furthermore they will begin to behave in ways they hope influence this provision.
here is a link to a classic study of conditioning - basically pigeons were fed by a mechanical hopper at regular intervals, one bird per cage. 6 out of the 8 birds began to exhibit clear, and different, behavioural tics before each feed. if one bird had been nodding when the food arrived, it kept nodding. The study is called, brilliantly, '"superstition" in the pigeon'.
It's a bit like a rain dance, or a prayer, or human sacrifice. Ritual, in other words.

Although people are not pigeons. It would be really interesting to see how these kids would react, but since such an experiment is morally dubious at best, we'll have to make it up.

[KoolBak]

Assuming somehow they learned to speak English, I believe they would all turn out to be Dyslexic Agnostic Insomniacs and lay awake at night wongdering if there really was a Dog.

[fireedud]

I would say that would all f*ck each non-stop

[Jenos Ridan]

So if you did an experiment with some people(hypothetically). Get 5 male newborn children and 5 female newborn children and put them in an environment that caters for their every need in order for them to live a life where everything material is provided for them. Do you think they would think of God themselves or simply exist?

Or is this a load of bullshit that is never gonna happen and the experiment is impossible so you don't care?

As far as studies of the brain, to my knowledge, are concerned, they would think of the subject quite often so it would not matter if they had to fight for their food or if if came all ready-made.

[strike wolf]

I would like a more specific scenario. But most definitely yes.

[AlgyTaylor]

Remi Moses who use to play for West Brom?

i thought he was still alive.

Weren't you listening in RE or something?

Remi Moses died on the cross for our sins, then 3 or 4 seasons later he came back out of a cave in Miles Platting to lead us all to the promised land of Villa Park.

BUT there was a big flood so he built an ark and went to The Hawthorns instead cos it's the highest league ground in the country.

[DAZMCFC]

Remi Moses who use to play for West Brom?

i thought he was still alive.

Weren't you listening in RE or something?

Remi Moses died on the cross for our sins, then 3 or 4 seasons later he came back out of a cave in Miles Platting to lead us all to the promised land of Villa Park.

BUT there was a big flood so he built an ark and went to The Hawthorns instead cos it's the highest league ground in the country.