W. Norris Clarke and God

Paper Summary:

This paper describes the thesis of "The Dynamism of the Spirit and the Infinite Within" by W. Norris Clarke, then considers the validity of the arguments offered and whether Clarke shows that the human mind is open to the infinite as he says it is. The paper also discusses the fact that there would be such a drive supports the yearning for religious expression and for a knowledge of much that is outside of immediate human experience.

From the Paper:

"In his treatise, Clarke makes an arguments in favor of the conclusion that there is a drive, an openness, toward the Infinite (God) built into the human spirit (intellect and will). The fact that there would be such a drive supports the yearning for religious expression and for a knowledge of much that is outside of immediate human experience. Clarke sees the mind as not simply a tabula rasa but a blank slate with a yearning to be filled by a knowledge of God. Such knowledge is for the mind the goal of all its inquiries. The human mind is predisposed to ask questions about its own existence, about its relationship to that which is greater than itself, to raise these issues and to seek the answers. This yearning is more than curiosity, tough that may be included."

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