A manual for creating atheists
One of the strengths of Boghossian’s book is the samples he offers of dialogues he has had with people of faith, in which the value of “street epistemology” is brought to life.
One of the strengths of Boghossian’s book is the samples he offers of dialogues he has had with people of faith, in which the value of “street epistemology” is brought to life.
In debates on nuanced issues such as Melissa Bachman and hunting, we typically hear screaming and stamping of feet instead of considered reflection. Rather than debate, that inspires little but turning your back and walking away.
The South African Police Service still operates a unit dedicated to investigating “occult crimes”, which mainly seems an excuse for institutionalising a religious outlook within a secular state.
The language of addiction is flourishing in ways that completely outstrip what we know about impulse control, and this is arguably to the detriment of both addiction-studies and scientific reasoning in general.
While Russell Brand is certainly entertaining, we shouldn’t mistake his seductive rhetoric for an intellectual critique worth taking seriously.
No matter how important the scientific subject under discussion, the goal of promoting sound reasoning is a worthy one too. And there’s no reason why one of these goals has to be pursued at the expense of the other.
Press release in respect of the 3rd national FSI conference, Thinking Things Through, in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Being an eminent (and prominent) scientist is no guarantee you’ll keep making sense – and certainly doesn’t confer immunity from criticism when you stop making sense.
It’s possible to focus on more than one ‘wrong’ in the world, and we should be wary of only paying attention to the most visible ones.
While Boy Scouts and Girl Guides still have to swear loyalty to the Queen, they can now at least not make promises to non-existent gods.
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