What do you think of this quote?

Question

"Steve Graham points out that you and I are, ourselves, more like a wave than a permanent thing. He invites us, the reader, to think of an experience from your childhood, something you can remember clearly; something you can see, feel, maybe even smell, as if you were really there. After all, you really were there at the time, weren't you? How else would you remember it?

But here is the bombshell...

You weren't there! Not a single atom that is in your body today was there when that event took place. Matter flows from place to place and momentarily comes together to be you. Whatever you are, therefore, you are not the stuff of which you are made.

If that doesn't make the hair stand up on the back of your neck, read it again until it does, because it is important."

~ Richard Dawkins


http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=6308228560462155344&q=dawkins&total=2104&start=0&num=10&so=0&type=search&plindex=0

Answer 1

But every part of every atom *was* there.

I don't disagree with the quote, but if I can see the flaw, fundies will.

Answer 2

No, it is not important. Like most quotes, it is out of context, ignores contrary evidence, and creates a reality out of an unstated definition of reality that is not agreed upon. It is funny that Richard Dawkins, infamous religion-fighter, said it, though, because to me the fact that our atoms change is more of an argument in favor of religion, rather than an argument against it. It is true that, from an atomical sense, we are not the same people we were when we were children. And yet we manage to maintain memories and some kind of non-physical identity throughout our life. If that is not a miracle, then I don't know what is. Seems pretty obvious to me that our existence is connected to, but separate, from the physical world. Am I right? Who knows? It's my opinion. But it does prove one thing: Richard Dawkins isn't the brilliant know-it-all he thinks he is. Anybody can cook up irrelevant little scare tactics that don't mean anything and try to pass them off as being really important. I find it ironic and hypocritical that he essentially practices the same illogical scare tactics that the fundamental religious fanatics that he hates practice themselves.

Answer 3

I think it's pretty awe inspiring.

He's right, of course. We are not the physical material of which we are composed. We are the PATTERN of that material.

I am innately tied to the universe, it is impossible to know where I begin and end. I AM, in fact, the universe, as is everyone else, from the lowest archeabacteria to the largest of the whales.

Ultimately, when it comes right down to it, "The 'I' does not exist. The true 'I' is 'We'." (Quote from the movie, "Lightyears")

Answer 4

So, then, my cousin's friend has a definitive, scientific, affirmative defense-he wasn't really there 5 years ago when he committed 18 robberies and burglaries!!!! I must get this very important information to his lawyer right away!!!!

Answer 5

Its like looking at a river. Its never the same, always changing. I like the quote a lot.

Answer 6

Makes my soul very important. Jesus said, "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul?"

Answer 7

The foolishness Of God is greater than the wisdom of men.

Answer 8

Dawkins is awesome in his ability to make people understand heavy concepts. It's silly to believe we are eternal, as he clearly demonstrates.

Answer 9

Excellent point.

Answer 10

Very cool, and absolutely right.