First impressions of PBS' God in America, with some filling out by dialog with the series executive producer Mike Sullivan in today's open chat on Patheos. Maybe I should have divided the material into more than one post, but some friends have been dropping emails to post it all ASAP ;-) So here you are ... What is PBS' God in America? Positives points What didn't sit well, including some recommendations ... Don't worry more is coming, including a tie back into the Elizabethtown College and Peacemaking … [Read more...] about Don’t miss “God in America”
Public Intellectuals
Most people aren’t deeply interested in science
Last Wednesday, I explored Mystery and Evidence, one articulation of the contrast between Religion and Science. Another topic stemming from Tim Crane's NY Times Article which I found of interest was his claim: ... most people aren't deeply interested in science, even when they have the opportunity and the basic intellectual capacity to learn about it. Of course, educated people who know about science know roughly what Einstein, Newton and Darwin said. Many educated people accept the modern scientific view of the … [Read more...] about Most people aren’t deeply interested in science
Mystery & Evidence
Mystery and Evidence's (Tim Crane. NY Times. 9/5/2010) opening paragraph immediately caught my attention. There is a story about Bertrand Russell giving a public lecture somewhere or other, defending his atheism. A furious woman stood up at the end of the lecture and asked: “And Lord Russell, what will you say when you stand in front of the throne of God on judgment day?” Russell replied: “I will say: ‘I'm terribly sorry, but you didn't give us enough evidence.' ” What do you think of Russell's response? By … [Read more...] about Mystery & Evidence
Books & Culture not for everybody, but
It's for me! Hard to believe that the feast of Books & Culture* enters 15 years of production. The new issue has a time line on the cover and an accompanying podcast which I commend to you. Out of curiosity ... [poll id="8"] Whether or not you regularly follow Books & Culture, please click on Read the rest of this entry » to take a poll on which of the articles in the September/October 2010 sparks the greatest interest in reading, possibly discussing. Also free to comment on what you do/do not find … [Read more...] about Books & Culture not for everybody, but
The End of Philosophy?
Michael Ruse's Do We Need Philosophy? (Chronicle of Higher Education. 8/15/2010) masterfully weaves together reflections on the death of his colleague David Hull*, transitions in philosophy, the increasing costs of higher education, and lamplighting in philosophy. A significant part of the piece focuses upon Mark Taylor's** NY Times Op-Ed recommendation to consolidate philosophy departments at Columbia and NYU (Academic Bankruptcy. 8/14/2010).*** Ruse eloquently concludes: I think that David's life was truly … [Read more...] about The End of Philosophy?