Search Results for: Shermer

Moral animals

I am spending some time dealing with family business so I am reposting some of my past book reviews over the next few days. These could be useful with Christmas coming up. Here’s a book for lovers of animals – … Continue reading

The “dynamic duo” of science?

Well, that’s how someone described them. But I have generally found the discussions between Lawrence Krauss and Richard Dawkins stimulating. I first commented on these almost 5 years ago (see Lawrence Krauss – Richard Dawkins discussion). They have had a number … Continue reading

Can philosophers, or anyone, tell us what is “right” and “wrong”?

Credit: Descartes Centre It’s no secret philosophers and scientists sometimes seem to be in conflict. I’m not talking about philosophers of religion (there are epistemological grounds for an inevitable conflict with science there). No, I mean philosophers in general. And … Continue reading

Sceptical arrogance and evolutionary psychology

“We should be skeptical of all points of view, including those of the skeptics.”* I came across the quote above in Michael Shermer’s article remembering Paul Kurtz, one of the founders of the modern US skeptical movement (see “Paul Kurtz … Continue reading

Morality and non-human animals

Book review: Can Animals Be Moral? by Mark Rowlands Price: US$29.95; NZ42.99 Hardcover: 272 pages Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (November 1, 2012) ISBN-10: 0199842000 ISBN-13: 978-0199842001 Interested readers need to know – this is a book about philosophy, not … Continue reading

Making sense of religion, science, and morality

Here’s an interesting discussion. And unlike many in this area – one that makes a lot of sense. Perhaps it’s because the participants are all non-theists so are not encumbered with ideological baggage. Atheists On Religion, Science, And Morality (The … Continue reading

A silver lining to Expelled?

Readers are probably aware of the nasty little creationist/intelligent design film Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. Despite all the fanfare suggesting it was coming to a church hall or basement near you sometime soon it seemed to drop out of existence. … Continue reading

Converting beliefs to “truths”

Michael Shermer‘s latest book looks interesting – The Believing Brain: From Ghosts and Gods to Politics and Conspiracies—How We Construct Beliefs and Reinforce Them as Truths. Chris Mooney interviews him about the book in the latest Point of Inquiry podcast … Continue reading

“Other ways of knowing” purpose?

A recent panel discussion in Mexico debated the question “Does the universe have a purpose?” The speakers for the affirmative were Rabbi David Wolpe, William Lane Craig and Douglas Geivett. And for the negative Matt Ridley, Michael Shermer and Richard … Continue reading

Religion in the public square

Or do I mean irreligion in the public square? Same thing really. I refer to the open discussion of religious ideas in the “public square.” That means ideas can be put up for consideration and subjected to open support or … Continue reading