You may have heard about this little informal discussion between Dawkins, Dennett, Hitchens and Harris, during which they discuss the level of attacks on them by theists and by their fellow atheists and agnostics.
It’s two one hour videos and quite interesting. While those of us in the Atheosphere are hardly at the same level in the international discourse that these guys are, they still speak of many issues that apply to us and to areas we have discussed in our blogs. Anyway, I found them very interesting and somewhat helpful so I figured I’d put them up for anyone who hadn’t found them elsewhere.
Thursday, January 03, 2008
The Four Horsemen of Atheism
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27 opinions:
I watched a small part of these a week or so ago. Thanks for putting them where they'll be handy.
Looks like a cabal to me.
When the Evil Atheist Conspiracy succeeds, we'll look back on this meeting with fondness.
Near the end of the second video Dennett and Hitchens hold down a Christian, Harris reads passages from Origin and Dawkins drives the "Dagger of Knowledge" into his brain.
Evo:
Is that before or after they drink the cat's blood?
Thank! I put it on my ipod to listen to in my car..Hitchens is brutally funny.
I just love watching Hitchens absent-mindedly puffing on his cig with what I believe is a scotch sitting in front of him.
Ah, the breakfast of champions...
I've got nothing to say here. I just thought I'd test my new avatar.
1. You're off topic mister.
2. "new" avatar? Where's the old one?
3. I was going to say - I like it!
4. Then I clicked on it and saw the very disturbing difference in dilation of the two eyes. Hmmmmm...
I should say that although I've seen these already, it's always comforting to know they can be found here should I lose all my bookmarks or something. EBS rocks.
Second, I say I would much enjoy an opportunity for all of us to sit around a table like that and chit chat.
I say I would much enjoy an opportunity for all of us to sit around a table like that and chit chat.
Yeah, that would be very interesting. And probably equally as profound as the conversation between these four guys. Not to diminish anything they say, but I don't see any difference between their comments and stuff I read all over the Atheosphere every single day. And they seem a little too much like a mutual-admiration society for my taste.
I'll admit that I haven't watched this whole thing. So I'll ask: does any of the four ever disagree with all with the others, even on a small point?
They do, but I forget about what. I think I remember Dennet disagreeing with Hitchens, but yes, it was a bit restrained. I think our sit down would be much more entertaining, especially if we got fed drinks like they did. Certainly there wouldn't be any of that mutual admiration crap. ;)
Philly has it pretty close. In the first of the two videos,
Dennett makes a comment to the effect that the problem with arguing against theism is the fact that they never ask themselves the question that science asks every day - what if I'm wrong? Hitchens stops him and says, specifically, "I want to disagree with you there". He goes on to argue that many people of faith actually use their uncertainty as something they continually work on, but at the same time it somehow reinforces for them that "something" is there.
Anyway, if you want to see that Ex - it starts at the 15 minute mark in the first video.
I know there was also something in the second part where they disagree about religious artwork - I think it was Hitchens and Dawkins and it wasn't a really really strong disagreement. Also to what degree each would like to see a complete "end of religion" on earth.
Glad you put these up. I may link them as well for easy reference.
Sounds to me like they should all be clubbed!
Jess
www.anonweb.eu.tc
> Sounds to me like they should all be clubbed!
>
> Jess
Yes! Anyone who doesn't share my opinion should be clubbed, just to prove without a doubt that I am right.
Is it sheer coincidence that this topic is being revisited 1 year to the day from publication?
Yeah - club those who dare to speak against me.
(Actually, “Harold Fowler”/“Jess” almost certainly hasn’t watched either of the videos. He’s a spammer who routinely pimps his anonymity Web sites in the comment thread of any Web page that, like this one, is featured on Reddit.)
Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's....and render unto God, what is God's..........
And render your pork fat and cook with it, for it is yummy
Thankyou for reminding me that I was casting pearls befor swine!
Swine? Yes, that's another word for pork. Very good, and pork and oysters? That's a good combo. There's a little pearl for ya. Of course you silly Christians aren't supposed to eat shellfish, and the Jews and Muslims can't have pork, so how sad for you all! It's good to be an atheist.
Anonymous:
Are you making a movie about pearls and swine? (The Further Adventures of Babe: Herding Oysters?)I hope you'll cast Kirk Cameron as the swine. Scarlett Johansson and Charlize Theron would both make excellent pearls, although, in deference to Philly's propensity for Reds, I'd be happy to accept Julianne Moore.
Oh, and remember: If you're going to talk for Jesus, do leave your name. You don't get any upgrades in heaven if you hide behind anonymity.
Ecclesiastes 7:1 - A good name is better than precious ointment ...
"Anonymous" is not a good name.
or oinkment, too.
Could we get Rosario Dawson and Amara Karan into that movie? - since it is all being discussed on MY blog, I think I deserve some input.
The second link is currently dead. A new link is here:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-225595257312538919&hl=en
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