Breaking the Spell - Dennett

[IllegalArgument]

I just finished the book, interesting read. His main point is that we need to make a stronger effort to study religion, at least what makes it tick. He obviously takes a evolutionary view, talks about objectives to studying and preposes a theories about how relgiion evolved.

Durning his presentation at TAM, memes were something he mentioned several times. Which explains why he compares religion, a few times, to virues in the book, generally he's respectful toward the subject.

One point I'm glad he made, was that we need to understand the positive effects of religion, what are the benefits.

The book is an much easier read than most of his book, I would recommend it to anyone interested in the subject.

 

[Paul C. Anagnostopoulos]

I'll read it as soon as I finish Sweet Dreams.

~~ Paul

 

[Iacchus]

I just finished the book, interesting read. His main point is that we need to make a stronger effort to study religion, at least what makes it tick. He obviously takes a evolutionary view, talks about objectives to studying and preposes a theories about how relgiion evolved.

With or without a God?

 

[bignickel]

I did not buy this book at TAM4; I had no opportunity to, because everyone bought out the suppy before I had a chance!!! bastages...

I'm reading "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" right now, in leau. Also Harris' "The End of Faith", which I recommend for Scariest Book of the Year.

Guess I'll have to order Dennett's new one from Amazon.

 

[IllegalArgument]

With or without a God?

Knowing up I know about Dennett views, he doesn't believe in any current definition of God. He is treating religion as a natural phenomenon, like music, which doesn't require a supernatural entity to exist.

 

[IllegalArgument]

I did not buy this book at TAM4; I had no opportunity to, because everyone bought out the suppy before I had a chance!!! bastages...

I'm reading "Darwin's Dangerous Idea" right now, in leau. Also Harris' "The End of Faith", which I recommend for Scariest Book of the Year.

Guess I'll have to order Dennett's new one from Amazon.

What's so scary about "End of Faith"?

Dennett mentioned "End of Faith", but he referenced "Acts of Faith" by Stark and someone, many more times in the book. I haven't been able to find a local copy yet.

 

[CFLarsen]

I did not buy this book at TAM4; I had no opportunity to, because everyone bought out the suppy before I had a chance!!! bastages...

I told people repeatedly that if they saw a book, they shouldn't wait to buy it, but get it right away.

We had sold all but 3 copies of "Breaking the Spell" before Dennett gave his talk. He had three other books, and two of them sold out as well.

 

[Iacchus]

Knowing up I know about Dennett views, he doesn't believe in any current definition of God. He is treating religion as a natural phenomenon, like music, which doesn't require a supernatural entity to exist.

And if there is a God behind it all? Then his is not an attempt at understanding how it ticks is it? It sounds to me like he already has preconceived notions about it ... which, is rather arrogant if you ask me.

 

[CFLarsen]

And if there is a God behind it all? Then his is not an attempt at understanding how it ticks is it? It sounds to me like he already has preconceived notions about it ... which, is rather arrogant if you ask me.

Why don't you find preconceived notions that God does exist far more arrogant?

 

[Iacchus]

Why don't you find preconceived notions that God does exist far more arrogant?

I don't care for either one. Thanks.

 

[CFLarsen]

I don't care for either one. Thanks.

And yet, you found it in your heart to single out the atheist position as "arrogant".

Do you find them equally arrogant?

 

[Iacchus]

And yet, you found it in your heart to single out the atheist position as "arrogant".

Do you find them equally arrogant?

Do you believe it's possible to believe in God without being arrogant or, deluded? If not, then you're just as bad as Dennett.

 

[Genesius]

Do you believe it's possible to believe in God without being arrogant or, deluded? If not, then you're just as bad as Dennett.

Do you believe it's possible not to believe in God without being arrogant or deluded?

 

[CFLarsen]

Do you believe it's possible to believe in God without being arrogant or, deluded? If not, then you're just as bad as Dennett.

Answer the question:

Do you find them equally arrogant?

 

[Beerina]

With or without a God?

Might as well assume no god. After all, at best, only one of thousands of religions are true, and the rest just developed naturally.

 

[ceo_esq]

Dennett mentioned "End of Faith", but he referenced "Acts of Faith" by Stark and someone, many more times in the book. I haven't been able to find a local copy yet.

The "someone", by the way, is Stark's occasional collaborator, Penn State sociologist Roger Finke.

By the way, almost any book by Rodney Stark is worth reading if you're at all interested in the field. He's probably the pre-eminent American sociologist of religion writing today.

 

[IllegalArgument]

The "someone", by the way, is Stark's occasional collaborator, Penn State sociologist Roger Finke.

By the way, almost any book by Rodney Stark is worth reading if you're at all interested in the field. He's probably the pre-eminent American sociologist of religion writing today.

Thank you, I couldn't find the name.

 

[Iacchus]

And yet, you found it in your heart to single out the atheist position as "arrogant".

Do you find them equally arrogant?

I understand that Dennett would like everyone to believe as he does. If atheism is simply a matter of "lack of belief," then why promote it? Has he actually proven that God does not exist? Whereas what if He does?

 

[ImaginalDisc]

I understand that Dennett would like everyone to believe as he does? If atheism is simply a matter of "lack of belief," then why promote it? Has he actually proven that God does not exist? Whereas what if He does?

I know you may be unfamiliar with this practice, but it's called "scientific inquiry." Dennett's looking into the evolutionary causes of religion. There's interesting and very well grounded work in the evolutionary causes of alturism, and a good look at religion is at least as valid.

Looking at religion critcally is no more "promoting atheism" than looking at gravity critically. It's truth. If your god is so powerful, I doubt he'd mind a few questions about his works.

 

[Iacchus]

I have no problem with the question of God. In fact there's very little room for doubt in my mind. Does that make me arrogant?