Reading "The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins (Finally) (born, debate)
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Ok- I'm about halfway through, and have already learned so much. As a Biology teacher, I love the way this guy is a Biologist and makes references to Darwinism all throughout his book. I can't wait to read "The Selfish Gene" and "Blind Watchmaker". I also think it would be incredibly awesome to hear him speak, but the chances of that happening in Oklahoma are slim to none.
Here's my problem with it...
This book makes me feel so incredibly stupid because there is so much in it that I don't have the foggiest notion of what he is talking about. He also uses big words and I realize that my American education is seriously lacking. I am struggling through though. I'm going to start taking notes of anything I'm clueless about so I can do a little research on things like memes, NOMA, etc.
I'm sure this has been discussed over and over and over on this forum, but hey, I'm new. What are your thoughts on the book? Those of you who are actually educated in Biological sciences, what is your take?
I think almost everyone feels intellectually lacking when reading OR listening to Richard Dawkins. The man is a genius. He has won many awards and has Honorary Degrees from all kinds of Universities.
I think almost everyone feels intellectually lacking when reading OR listening to Richard Dawkins. The man is a genius. He has won many awards and has Honorary Degrees from all kinds of Universities.
Oh, I agree with Djuna. I'm not a biologist but a trained geologist. I love Dawkins. Just brilliant! I read The River Out of Eden, and I had to read some passages 2-3 times to make sure I fully understood them. I love watching his lectures and debates on youtube. I think I have a crush on him.
Oh, I agree with Djuna. I'm not a biologist but a trained geologist. I love Dawkins. Just brilliant! I read The River Out of Eden, and I had to read some passages 2-3 times to make sure I fully understood them. I love watching his lectures and debates on youtube. I think I have a crush on him.
I'm finding that I have to read some things 2 or 3 times too. I'm usually a pretty good reader! I only wish I had half the brains Dawkins does. I might develop a crush too, Peppermint! He is very new to me as I live in the "Buckle" area of the country. I think it's so funny how he's got Fundamentalists pegged. I know- I used to be one of them.
I'm finding that I have to read some things 2 or 3 times too. I'm usually a pretty good reader! I only wish I had half the brains Dawkins does. I might develop a crush too, Peppermint! He is very new to me as I live in the "Buckle" area of the country. I think it's so funny how he's got Fundamentalists pegged. I know- I used to be one of them.
Shoot, girl, me too! My husband and I are born and raised Southerners - deep south. We're in TN now, but we'll be moving soon (don't know where yet - interviewing now). One of the places we're looking into is the UK. If we end up over there, you know I'm going to be trying to attend a few of Dawkins' lectures!
Shoot, girl, me too! My husband and I are born and raised Southerners - deep south. We're in TN now, but we'll be moving soon (don't know where yet - interviewing now). One of the places we're looking into is the UK. If we end up over there, you know I'm going to be trying to attend a few of Dawkins' lectures!
I will definitely be jealous!
You know the other one I can't wait to read is Hitchens.
I read Hitchens' God Is Not Good and his bio of Thomas Jefferson. I liked them both. When I read the former, I wasn't as anti-theist as I am now. I think I would appreciate his view more now than I did then. Would love to hear what you think about Hitchens too.
I read Hitchens' God Is Not Good and his bio of Thomas Jefferson. I liked them both. When I read the former, I wasn't as anti-theist as I am now. I think I would appreciate his view more now than I did then. Would love to hear what you think about Hitchens too.
I've heard Hitchens interviewed on "All Things Considered" and I liked him quite a bit. I can see how he would be pretty contraversial though. He definitely speaks his mind and doesn't bother sugar-coating it at all! I wish I could be that honest. Maybe not that blunt, but just honest about how I really felt about the way the world works. Around here, I'd be branded as a Satanist.
Richard Dawkins has a better brain than most, but he has an ego to match, and a steel-clad preconceived personal opinion of all things which is so immovable that he makes the fundies on this forum seem reasonable.
Science is fairly accurate, but it's become a "religion" of it's own and can be just as rooted in dogma. Also, science is imperfect, in some cases outright wrong and slow to accept superior new concepts.
Certainly people 500 years in the future will look at our scientists with the same amusement as we look at little kids making baking soda volcanoes for the science fair today. "At least they were trying", they will say as they shake their heads in bemusement...
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