Life Without a Net
philosophy
Evolution’s Harsh Truth, and the Atheist’s Moral Imperative
Unlike many of the children who grow up today learning about the “conflict” between Creationism vs. Evolution, I grew up in a comfortable bubble where the two never saw eye to eye, but never drew swords. In church, I was taught that humans were special, and in school, I was taught that all life … Continue reading
Atheism vs. Theism: Unfair Rules
I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating the atheist/theist debates I’ve seen. There have been some very good moments for atheists, such as Christopher Hitchens’ trouncing of former Prime Minister Tony Blair in the opening salvo of their debate. But informally, there have been a lot of bad moments, too. It’s not so much that … Continue reading
Are Science and Religion Compatible? A Thought Experiment
I’ve been thinking a lot about how to test whether science and religion are compatible. A couple of nights ago, with the aid of a Johnny Walker Black and soda (it really was in your honor, Hitch… hang in there!) I stumbled on a very simple truth: We cannot use both science and religion to address … Continue reading
Questions and Answers
In 1519, Hernando Cortez dropped anchor just off the coast of what is now Mexico. His men brought a native back to the ship. Cortez asked the name of the exotic land, and the native responded, “Ma c’ubah than.” The accent was unfamiliar, and the Spaniard heard it as “Yucatan.” Today, maps the world over … Continue reading
Meaning and Nihilism
A recent repeat of the “meaning discussion” got me thinking on a slightly different track. The conversation was predictable: Theist: But what do you believe in if you don’t believe in a higher purpose? Life is meaningless without it! Atheist: I don’t need “higher” purpose to have purpose. I make my own purpose and so … Continue reading
Response: War on Extremism
A reader sent me this article and asked for my opinion on it. As always, I will try to quote extensively enough to avoid any potential mis-statement of his position, but I recommend reading the whole article before continuing with my commentary. Don Miller begins by relating his shock and horror at discovering that he had … Continue reading
“Natural God”?
With apologies to Nick, who is certain that he has the secret to The One True and Irrefutable Version of God, Specifically As It Relates To His Son, the Certainly Resurrected Jesus, Who Is the Same As Him™, I’ve recently come to realize that there are some theists who would like to avoid the incoherency of … Continue reading
Kalam and the Immaterial
I haven’t spent much time on this site talking about the Cosmological Argument. Primarily, I avoid it because it’s not especially relevant to most people, and secondarily, because it’s kind of old hat. Even Kant’s objections have never received a satisfactory reply. But over the past week, I’ve been pummeled by this argument from several … Continue reading
Confuse and Conquer
Our concern with Greek Ethics did not originate with Aristotle, but we must look to him as the first well-recorded source. For those of you who have read Nichomachean Ethics (especially if you’ve done so in the original Greek), you know precisely what I’m talking about when I say that the whole thing revolves around … Continue reading
Claims and Counter-Claims
I’d like to offer you a quick example of the kind of flip I am seeing repeatedly in comment threads recently. Suppose I invite you to my house and show you an object you’ve never seen before. It’s roughly spherical, about a foot in radius, and shiny. Beyond that, you can’t really tell by looking … Continue reading
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