“I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.”

— Thomas Nagel , book The Last Word

The Last Word, Oxford University Press, 1997, pp. 130-131.
Context: In speaking of the fear of religion, I don’t mean to refer to the entirely reasonable hostility toward certain established religions and religious institutions, in virtue of their objectionable moral doctrines, social policies, and political influence. Nor am I referring to the association of many religious beliefs with superstition and the acceptance of evident empirical falsehoods. I am talking about something much deeper—namely, the fear of religion itself. I speak from experience, being strongly subject to this fear myself: I want atheism to be true and am made uneasy by the fact that some of the most intelligent and well-informed people I know are religious believers. It isn’t just that I don’t believe in God and, naturally, hope that I’m right in my belief. It’s that I hope there is no God! I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that.

Adopted from Wikiquote. Last update June 3, 2021. History

Help us to complete the source, original and additional information

Do you have more details about the quote "I don’t want there to be a God; I don’t want the universe to be like that." by Thomas Nagel?

Thomas Nagel photo

Thomas Nagel 10

American philosopher 1937

Related quotes

“I don’t want to be a clown anymore. I don’t want to be a ‘rock and roll star.”

Jimi Hendrix (1942–1970) American musician, singer and songwriter

Rolling Stone Magazine interview, November 1970

“I don’t like anything that’s got to be. I want to know why.”

Isaac Asimov book The Gods Themselves

Section 2, Chapter 2a, p. 93
The Gods Themselves (1972)

“I don’t want to believe, I want to know.”

Paulo Bitencourt (1966)

Source: Book “Wasting Time on God: Why I Am an Atheist”

“Don’t be with him, don’t want him, don’t go with him. Be with me. Want me. Stay with me.
I don’t know how to be without you.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

“I don’t want expensive gifts; I don’t want to be bought. I have everything I want. I just want someone to be there for me, to make me feel safe and secure.”

Diana, Princess of Wales (1961–1997) First wife of Charles, Prince of Wales

"Princess Diana: 10 most inspiring quotes from the 'people's princess'", Hello Magazine, Daily News (1 July 2015)

“I love you; I love you and I don’t care that you’re my sister; don’t be with him, don’t want him, don’t go with him. Be with me. Want me. Stay with me.
I don’t know how to be without you.”

Cassandra Clare book City of Ashes

Source: City of Ashes

“I like you, but not too much. I don’t want to like anybody too much.”

Sylvia Plath (1932–1963) American poet, novelist and short story writer

“I don’t want to be a supermodel; I want to be a role model.”

Queen Latifah (1970) American musician and actress

“I don’t want to be a simile anymore, I want to be a metaphor.”

China Miéville Embassytown

Source: Embassytown (2011), Chapter 24 (p. 296)

“I don’t want to know what time it is. I don’t want to know what day it is or where I am. None of that matters.”

Jon Krakauer book Into the Wild

Source: Into the Wild

Related topics