As part of our Hampshire College lecture series on Science & Religion, we will have Dr. Philip Kitcher as our speaker on Thursday, April 2nd. If you are in the area please join us for the talk. Otherwise, you can watch the video of the lecture that I will try to post here in a couple of weeks. His abstract for the talk is below.-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hampshire College Lecture Series on Science & Religion Presents
Religion after Darwin?
by
Dr. Philip Kitcher
Thursday, April 2, 2009
5:30p.m., Franklin Patterson Hall, Main Lecture Hall
Hampshire College
by
Dr. Philip Kitcher
Thursday, April 2, 2009
5:30p.m., Franklin Patterson Hall, Main Lecture Hall
Hampshire College
Abstract:
Many people believe that Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection poses a threat to religion (specifically to Christianity). I shall suggest that, taken on its own, Darwin’s work can be assimilated by many world religions and many versions of Christianity. There is, however, a deeper problem. The scientific approach that underlies Darwin’s achievements is inimical to all but the most liberal forms of religion. Once this point is appreciated, it is tempting to believe, as the militant Darwinian atheists of our time triumphantly proclaim, that religious practices should simply be eradicated. I shall argue that this is incorrect, and that a genuinely humane secularism – a real Secular Humanism – should absorb some characteristically religious attitudes. We need to discard the myths offered by supernaturalist doctrines, but we also need what Dewey called “A Common Faith.”
Dr. Philip Kitcher is John Dewey Professor of Philosophy and James Barker Professor of Contemporary Civilization at Columbia University. He is the author of Abusing Science: The Case Against Creationism, In Mendel’s Mirror, and Living with Darwin: Evolution, Design and the Future of Faith.
Upcoming lecture:
* Dr. Ronald Numbers, Friday, October 2, 2009
For more information, please visit our Lecture website.
For more information on Darwin bicentennial celebrations at Hampshire College, please visit http://darwin200.hampshire.edu
9 comments:
Mr SALMAN A SINGLE MOSQUITO IS ENOUGH TO REFUTE EVOLUTION DOGMA...
Mr. Salman
WHY ARE YOU SO MUCH BOTHERED ABOUT EVOLUTION THEORY? YOU ARE JUST AN ASTRONOMER RIGHT? HAVE YOU TAKEN ANY DOCTORATE IN BIOLOGY? IF NOT YOU ARE NOT FIT TO DISCUSS ABOUT EVOLUTION DOGMA, YOU BETTER LOOK UP IN THE SKY AND DO SOME REASEARCH ON CLOUDS AND STARS!!!
@jamshed moidu
i'm very curious to know your understanding of the theory of evolution. i know you don't buy it, but could you, to satiate my curiosity, please describe the theory, or how you understand it, to me i.e. just the science, sans the "dogma" stuff, please
i'd be grateful. looking forward. many thanks!
If I were closer to Hampshire College I'd enjoy hearing Dr. Kitcher's talk tomorrow evening, including his description of "real Secular Humanism" and Dewey's "Common Faith." If one accepts that science and religion are the most potent forces in human life, then exploring paths to better understand their inextricable relationship cannot help but increase human knowledge.
Lee,
I will post the video as soon as it is ready. If you haven't read it, check out his book "Living with Darwin". His last chapter directly deals with this issue and I think he presents a very nuanced view of science, religion and their interaction with the society at large.
@ Respected Zakir
asnwer my questions on Evolution and convince me on the scientific validity of the theory...(please note it should be scientific explanation rather than assumption, i can understand science becuase i am a medical student)
here are the questions ...just follow the link..and answer the questions.
http://www.askdarwinists.com/
It is very funny to reconcile the irreconcilable ideologies: Darwinism and religion. Those who try to reconcile these two ideologies, they are NOT aware of either religion (monotheistic) or Evolution or both. Evolution IDEOLOGY categorically rejects the principles or message of Koran, Bible or Torah. Thats the fact.
The strongest point of Islam is that it never compromises with Quran, although people are trying for centuries. Islam believes in quality not quantity. To garner support, Pope is politically promoting evolution to get some sort of credit from scientific arena, which is ridiculous. Actually, he is digging is own graveyard.
People in Pakistan does not think Darwin even a petty issue,except those some staunched secularist minded people like owner of this blog. Most people think, its a garbage, or fairy tale. Whatever you try, people wont believe that bear gradually became Whale due to lack of food or story of development of mammary gland. Newborn baby started licking their mother sebaceous gland,,slowly slowly it became breast... This is the evolution tale...
@jamshed moidu
frankly, i wanted to know, if you, as an evolution denier, happen to understand the theory. hence my request. i wanted to get an insight into the creationist's mind (or lack thereof).
i have neither the time nor the patience to try to convince someone who's a harun yahya fan.
i wish you had supplied an answer, but never mind.
have a good one!
".... A SINGLE MOSQUITO IS ENOUGH TO REFUTE EVOLUTION DOGMA..."
But if that fails you can always show mislabeled and faked fossils to the unwary and naive to provide pseudoevidence for your creationist crapola:
http://purplekoolaid.typepad.com/my_weblog/the-skulls-that-make-harun-yahya-look-like-a-bonehead-and-fraud-huckster-hypocrite-etc.html
Abu AFak
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