Sean Carroll has an interesting piece at The Stone on the New York Times site, pointing out that the theory of cosmic inflation was motivated by naturalism. In other words, it was motivated by the desire to find a natural explanation for something that didn't look natural, such as the apparent fine tuning necessary for the … Continue reading Science and naturalism
Tag: Atheism
Did “Cosmos” Pick the Wrong Hero?
As I suspected, there's consternation about Cosmos's highlighting of Giordano Bruno, and not all of it is coming from religious apologists. In Cosmos, Tyson does carefully say that Bruno was not a scientist, and instead describes that picture of infinite worlds as a “guess.” But Bruno was not guessing. He was advancing his own, heretical … Continue reading Did “Cosmos” Pick the Wrong Hero?
Was Jesus a conspiracy?
Bart Ehrman posted a video on his blog (embedded below) where he discusses the case for the existence of the historical Jesus. Most of his excellent blog's content is pay-walled, so I'm happy to have an opportunity to link to something that isn't. (Incidentally, if you have the means and interest, I highly recommend subscribing. All … Continue reading Was Jesus a conspiracy?
The Ken Ham Creation Museum Ark Encounter project may have been funded
There is news out this morning that the silly Ark Encounter project may have gotten funded, although Sharon Hill is skeptical that this is true. If it is true, and if municipal bonds really are helping to fund this thing, then the residents of Louisville, Kentucky should be alarmed by what their local government is doing, … Continue reading The Ken Ham Creation Museum Ark Encounter project may have been funded
Free will and the value of compatibilism
With the essays traded between Daniel Dennett and Sam Harris, free will is back in the web conversation. I wasn't planning on making another free will post myself, having been mostly satisfied with my previous statement on it. But I've had a few conversations lately, both here on the site and in some other mediums, that … Continue reading Free will and the value of compatibilism
SMBC: A fable
As is often the case, Zach Weiner hits it out of the park with this observation. I've read a lot of history, and I'm struck by how often this type of pattern emerges. Click through to see the full sized version. via Saturday Morning Breakfast Cereal.
It’s Darwin Day, a celebration of science and reason | Machines Like Us
Darwin Day, according to the International Darwin Day Foundation, is “a global celebration of science and reason held on or around Feb. 12, the birthday anniversary of evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin." The idea of the celebration arose in 1993 as part of the activities of the Stanford Humanist Community, then headed by biologist Robert Stephens. … Continue reading It’s Darwin Day, a celebration of science and reason | Machines Like Us
Why I think Sam Harris is wrong about morality | The Righteous Mind
Several commenters have said I should not just critique the excessive certainty of the New Atheists. I should respond directly to Sam Harris’s Moral Landscape Challenge. I should say why I think the argument he makes about a science of morality are wrong. (Harris argues that what is right and wrong can be determined scientifically, … Continue reading Why I think Sam Harris is wrong about morality | The Righteous Mind
Thoughts on the Nye-Ham creationism debate
The Bill Nye and Ken Ham debate happened, and by all accounts Nye wiped the floor with Ham. (I watched a few minutes of it, but I've been racing against deadlines all week and had to content myself with the post game write ups.) This doesn't really come as too much of a surprise to … Continue reading Thoughts on the Nye-Ham creationism debate
Interview of Ara Norenzayan on Inquiring Minds podcast
As I mentioned before, I have a big backlog of podcasts that I'm working through on my lunch walks. Many of you have probably already heard this, but just in case you haven't: If you enjoyed my review of Ara Norenzayan's book, 'Big Gods', then you'll probably also enjoy this interview of him by Chris … Continue reading Interview of Ara Norenzayan on Inquiring Minds podcast
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