Tony Atkinson
2 min readMar 29, 2024

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Everything that exists is natural. 'Supernatural' is catch-all term for natural things we don't understand and made-up things that don't exist: it's not easy to tell which is which.

Every experience is subjective. Our senses react to stimuli arising from the Four Forces (as far as we know). These reactions stimulate the brain, and we use our consciousness to translate these sensations into signs (language). Language allows us to build a consensus abut our subjetive experiences. This consensus we describe as 'objective reality'. It is neither, but it allows us to function as a species.

The scientific method is a tool we use to describe the consensus in terms of cause and effect, relationships between phenomena and so forth. It is based upon observation and experimentation with a view to obtaining a predictable result. These predictable results are then used by engineers to creat new and easier ways of doing things which improve our lives (or not, as the case may be).

Philosophy deals with the way we think and act, and suggests ways in which we could do both better or more effectively.

Metaphysics deals with origins and reasons - where did the Universe start and why is it here? (The answer, I am reliably informed, is 42).

People love stories, and make them up all the time. Some people love power, and twist the stories in away that will give them power over others.

"The thousand natural shocks that flesh is heir to" are sufficient to dismiss the notion of a benevolent, omnipotent, omnisicent, personal God with an interest in Humanity. The answers for all other 'supernatural' phenomena remain 'insufficient data' or 'not proven'.

The rest is unknown and may always remain so. That doesn't mean we should stop looking.

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Tony Atkinson

Snapper-up of unconsidered trifles, walker of paths less travelled by. Writer of fanfiction. Player of games. argonaut57@gmail.com