The Four Horsemen - Part One - Part Four genre: Hip-Gnosis & Video-Philes
Anyone interested in understanding the thoughts which underly atheism and an opposition to the constructs of religion would be well served to watch this multi-part program. The participants are Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens. Each has drawn significant attention with their recent publications. Each is frequently misunderstood by those who view their words as little more than an assault upon theism.
Far removed from the hype and media attention paid to the writings of these four scholars, this round table discussion allows the viewer to see that atheism is far more an acceptance of reason than a rejection of religion. As such, the objective of atheism isn't premised upon vilifying religion for the sake of vilification; it is an attempt to establish a basis for human consensus...one that is focused on what we share in our humanity and not what we embrace in the promotion of any particular iteration of religious ideology.
The following four video clips comprise the first of a three part posting here at Thought Theater. In the next few days, I will publish two additional postings containing the remainder of this program.
Please feel free to offer your thoughts on the many subjects discussed by these men. As Hitchens notes during the program, debate and dialogue are the essential elements in effecting a change in our existing and long-held constructs.
The Four Horsemen - Part One
The Four Horsemen - Part Two
The Four Horsemen - Part Three
The Four Horsemen - Part Four
Tagged as: Atheism, Bible, Christopher Hitchens, Creationism, Daniel Dennett, Evolution, Faith, God, Islam, Religion, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Science, Secularism
Daniel DiRito | December 20, 2007 | 12:25 PM
Comments
1 On December 21, 2007 at 6:48 AM, rube cretin wrote —
Daniel, thanks for sharing these videos. i have read three of the authors books and found their conversation edifying. As a fan of Dostoevsky i am reminded of the Grand Inquisitor from The Brothers Karamazov and the discussion of freedom a how some people are unable to handle it. They must have mystery, miracles, and authority. Your recent reporting on the Mathew Murray incident has brought many these same issues to the forefront. i do not know how to link to things to make things easy for others, but will recommend a site which discusses this matter in a summary manner. it also offers several alternatives for approaching religious persons one cares to engage.
" The existentialists would believe that several things might help:
1. Existentialist theory and literature. These are ways to bring the existentialist critique and alternative to people's attention and try to lure more people away from inauthenticity. They would also accept that other philosophical positions might do this too.
2. Existentialists are realists. They don't really expect that the thousands of thousands will race to authenticity. But, they believe their experience does not show that people cannot change over. People actually do. Thus people are not in their camp by NATURE. Change is possible and experienced.
3. The hope seems much more to be that the tens of thousands may well become hundreds of thousands though the efforts of existentialists and other authentic people. However, they do recognize that it is unlikely that most of the thousands of thousands will ever change. "
This info comes from AN ANALYSIS OF THE GRAND INQUISITOR SCENE
By Bob Corbett
September 1998
From: THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV. by Fydor Dostoevsky and translated by Constance Garnett.
1879
i have shared existentialist literature with friends and it has led to many very interesting discussions. in fact i came to the literature on the recommendation of a friend many, many years ago. i have attempted to share it with very religious persons i care about but generally they do not seem to be able to find time to read.
These 4 gentlemen are certainly persuasive but i'm afraid they are just preaching to the choir.
cheers
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