reading it?
It's primarily a Philosophy, as opposed to a scientific publication, yes?
2007-02-20 17:44:16 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have a theology and philosophy background. I wouldn't call myself a scholar in the area, but I have a strong background. After looking at the interview....I don't know if it's aimed at me. I don't believe now...he's not going to make me disbelieve any more.
I really liked what he had to say about political figures though.
2007-02-20 18:11:33 · update #1
I've already read some Bertrand Russel by the way...I'd heard somewhere that Dawkins was his successor.
2007-02-20 18:12:23 · update #2
If you are familiar with philosophy or have any background in it, the book is tepid. Go with Russell, Flew, or Mackie. If you just need an atheist hero, buy the book and hump it. Reading it will only fill you with amateur philosophy and logical fallacies.
2007-02-20 18:03:23 · answer #1 · answered by Aspurtaime Dog Sneeze 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I have read many of Dawkin's books and liked most of them. But in the God Delusion he seems to have left the scientific reservation and landed up in theology's back yard. He comes into the yard with no knowledge of the philosophical arguments needed to play with other theologians. Instead in his latest book he offers up nothing new, only the same rhetoric you would find, say in this forum. I would have expected a man of Dawkin's stature to have spent some time studying philosophy and logic before writing a book that seems to resemble the same high school debates on religion vs. atheism that I experienced 30 years ago!
I urge you review what other minds have to say about Dawkin's arguments. One of the best critiques of the God Delusion is at the link below. Dr. McGrath's lecture is reasoned and rational, two things that Dawkins leaves behind at the opening flap of his book and never looks back. Furthermore, Dr. McGrath's lecture is a model of the type of discussions I had hoped to find in the Yahoo R&S Forum: logical, cogent, articulate, recognizing the good and flawed points of a position, all while making reasoned arguments to support a personal worldview.
I encourage anyone, believer or not, to review the lecture in the link below, if for nothing else just to imagine what is possible for Yahoo R&S.
2007-02-21 01:49:13 · answer #2 · answered by Ask Mr. Religion 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Dawkins starts most of his arguments with, God would not do this, or a God would think or act this way. He presumes to know how a God would think and act, believe in God or not, If you take the Hypothetical stand that there is a God, what makes you think, he would act or reason in a manner that we would understand, or that we would approve of. Interesting reading, but really pay attention to what he says, he proves that God cannot exist, because a God would not act in the manner creationists say. handy God to have around if he waits for you to approve of his actions and works. Would make religion a lot easier to follow. Make the rules, fax them to God and go.
2007-02-21 02:05:25 · answer #3 · answered by mark g 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It is really that good, and it is quite reasonable to read it first. I suppose that it is reasonable to call it a philosophical treatise. I have also read (and recommend) The Ancestor's Tale, for a history of evolution on the planet; and Unweaving the Rainbow, which discusses some details of evolution as well as some other interesting topics. Other related books include:
2007-02-21 01:51:19 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is written as a philosphy but with scientific research to support his ideas. It's a very good book. Of course read earlier Dawkins too. It's always good to read what came before.
2007-02-21 01:49:55 · answer #5 · answered by tklines 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Yes, it is actually interesting and funny at times to. Sometimes it is hard to put down (and I am not the biggest reader of non-ficiton) I haven't read his other books so i couldn't say but the god delusion is definatley a keeper
2007-02-21 01:52:55 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
I haven't read it, but from what I understand it's for the layman and not complicated. Check out the reviews on amazon.com
2007-02-21 01:48:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should read everything you can and take the prizes that there
are and leave the trash in the receptacle.
2007-02-21 01:52:26 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
good book, but your going to need a really open-mind if your a believer.
also the blind watchmaker is good and the selfish gene i recommend.
2007-02-21 01:48:00 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I liked it. I liked Sam Harris' Letter too.
2007-02-21 01:50:05 · answer #10 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋