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
philosophy
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
Week in Review: Mary Meets Lou Gehrig Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. Mary and the Modern University (First Things): In light of the false perception that religion has little to do with thought, R. R. Reno (Theology, Creighton) asks: What, then, does Christianity add to academic life? What should make … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Mary Meets Lou Gehrig Edition
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?
Week in Review: Future of Evangelicals Edition
What are you reading, watching, thinking about this week? As usual, here's a few which have been on our mind. Let us know your thoughts on any/all of them. If you have items you'd like us to consider for the top five, add them in the comments or send them to Tom or Mike. 1. The Future of Evangelicals in Academia. Who else to address this question than Mark Noll, historian and author of The Scandal of the Evangelical Mind. Lots of good material in this interview, including some of his impressions of James … [Read more...] about Week in Review: Future of Evangelicals Edition