Pragmatism
Pragmatism on this site links belief to action by treating truths as provisional guides tested against experience and consequences. Lincoln's articles explore faithful science, Cannon's Wager, hope in computed worlds, and cultivation of bias toward what is more right. He argues that religious and Transhumanist commitments should inspire practical work rather than remain abstract wishful thinking. The topic lists articles relevant to created truth and the moral power of trusting futures that practical work helps make real.
This is a list of articles that Lincoln Cannon has written about pragmatism. A full archive of all articles that Lincoln has published since 2005 is also available. You may also search for articles and other content that's available on any of Lincoln's websites.
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The Practical Power of Created Truth
Philosophers and scientists have pursued truth for at least millennia. Most seem to want something rigid that we might associate with “the whole truth and nothing but the truth.” But I contend that pursuit of truth, depending on how we conceive it, may be and often is less important than ... -
A Dialogue of Faith with Jesus and Socrates
In an ancient grove, Jesus and Socrates sit across from each other, embraced by olive trees and bathed in golden light from the slowly setting sun. Socrates’ gaze is penetrating. Jesus’ regard is peaceful. They begin to converse. Science and Faith Socrates: Greetings, Jesus. I have heard much about your ... -
Creating Kolob
Often, while pondering the intersection of Mormonism and Transhumanism, I find my thoughts wandering to the grand myth of Kolob. In Mormon scripture and cosmology, or perhaps simply in Mormon theology in the functional sense, Kolob is esteemed as the star nearest the throne of God. When I think about ... -
Cultivating Bias Toward More Right
There are at least two ways to be less wrong. You can decrease risk of being wrong, which also decreases opportunity for being right. Or you can increase opportunity for being right, which also increases risk of being wrong. Neither is necessarily proportionate. The surest way to be less wrong ... -
You Should Hope You're Living in a Computed World
Celebrity technologist Elon Musk recently suggested that we may be living in a computer simulation. Of course this made technology news headlines around the world. And of course many articles have rushed to reassure their readers that Elon’s suggestion is “outlandish”. Outlandish or not, however, Elon suggested something far more ... -
Desire Entices Us to Embrace Ethics
What is good? Is it good because God says so? Or does God say so because it’s good? If it’s good independent of any God, how so? Is it good inherently or consequentially? Such are the traditional questions of ethics. It begins with consideration of duty in relation to values. ... -
Dynamic Faith in Pancritical Rationalism
In the comments on an H+ Magazine article on “Why Christianity and Transhumanism are not Enemies,” Max More disagreed with my assessment of the inevitability of faith. Here’s the exchange, including an opening comment from someone named “Ben.” Ben: “Christianity is based on FAITH. Transhumanism is based on SCIENCE. What ... -
Jesus Christ and Atonement in Knowledge and Goodness
On the Mormon Transhumanist Association Response blog, Vblogger asks how the pursuit of science, if not limited, can be reconciled with faith in Jesus Christ. Do we need the grace of God? If we can figure things out on our own, why do we need Christ? In the strictest sense, ... -
A Missionary's Practical Faith in Resurrection
Today, while looking through old journal entries, I came across the following passage, written when I was a missionary for the LDS Church: “He is God. He is a plurality of beings on the cutting edge of reality. He is the dictator of truth and the guardian of truth. He ... -
Cannon's Wager: Bet on Better Works
Will works save you? Some Christians enjoy debating whether good works are necessary for salvation, with responses ranging from the extremes of Calvinism (we can make absolutely no effort, spiritual or physical, toward salvation) to the extremes of Pelagianism (salvation depends almost entirely on our efforts, spiritual and physical). Most ... -
Faithful Science
Jared, a guest blogger at By Common Consent, wonders what “Faithful Science” would look like and how it would be useful. Mormon Transhumanists have some opinions about that. To begin with, all science is faithful to the extent it is actually adhering to the scientific method. The method is based ... -
Fashion of the Gods
The day will come that we adorn ourselves epistemically as today we do esthetically. We are already learning to do so ethically.