The Enemies Of Reason

Episode 1: Slaves to Superstition

Professor Richard Dawkins confronts the epidemic of irrational, superstitious thinking with logic, observation and evidence – in other words, through reason.

In Slaves to Superstition Professor Richard Dawkins tackles irrational belief systems from astrology to New Age mysticism, clairvoyance to alternative health cures.

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Bruce

I think too that evidence is important but I do think that Dawkin’s attitude is very unscientific. People have experiences and they must be investigated objectively – not with a ‘you’re stupid if you believe it’ attitude. When this is the prevailing climate for anything metaphysical, its not exactly encouraging scientists to do this kind of research.

I also think that its extremely limiting to our knowledge of what may be possible to discard everything that does not perform well under today’s method of scientific investigation – or rather, the application of it.

Some scientists are very much applying the scientific method to research into telepathy that gives strong indications that something is going on, but Dawkins has been pretty careful not to present that research. In fact one scientist who did not appear on this programme refused to sign his release after his interview because Richard refused to look at his evidence. To give a quick abridged version: Richard said ‘the show is not about evidence’ – the anal little prat.

Read the full account here:
http://www.sheldrake.org/D&C/controversies/Dawkins.html
Edgarman

Hi MT,

Great to hear your thoughts.

I have always found the views of Hitchens and Harris really interesting.

Thanks for the link, I have seen this TED lecture before and there is no doubt that certain moral decisions can be made through the crunching of statistics to try and determine the distinction between right and wrong answers in order to benefit a situation or species.

Also, there is overwhelming evidence to support the benefits of compassionate behaviour in different species in order to preserve it’s evolutionary longevity, that being said there are many examples of the exact opposite as well, aggresive and dominant male archetypes in many species defining its’ evolutionary survival.

No doubt, morals were never just rules’ people came up with, this model is way too simplistic. It’s very important to realise that alongside the ability for statistical analysis and the evolutionary benefits of compassionate and empathetic thinking that the conscious practice of specific virtuous principles found in many theological idea’s can also play a critical role in maintaining and preserving moral and ethical prosperity.
edgarman

I don’t claim to belong to any specific belief system yet I find the evolution of behavioural psychology and theology very interesting. After reading many books on the subject including Dawkins material and the history of human belief systems I have supported the arguments on both sides and come to quite a few conclusions. Dawkins is an Atheist that roots his arguments deeply in rationalism and scientific proof. By it’s very nature this type of outlook adhere’s to truth within the boundaries of our understanding and there is a huge benefit to thinking this way, especially when it comes to the pursuit of logical thinking. Unfortunately, he attacks religion for the harm it has done to humanity but fails to make note of the benefits of healthy moral and ethical principles brought about by many theological ideas.

Interestingly, the most common single outlook that causes conflict is that of righteousness. To drive an argument to no end gratuitously irrespective of how it affects others. People will forever believe different idea’s and will defend them vehemently but the skill is in empathy. Understanding why people think the way they do, disseminating the thought process and accepting that they are free to think for themselves. We must strive to understand eachother.

There is no denying the negative impact superstition and religion have had on humanity in history yet we must remember the fundamental principles of such frameworks of thought are the core virtues that can enable humans to evolve emotionally into creatures that are capable of deep respect and behavioural excellence.

MT

Hello edgarman,

I haven’t seen this documentary in awhile so I don’t remember if Dawkins mentions morality here so I’ll just have to take your word for it,. I do know that he, along with Hitchens, Dennett, and Harris, talk a lot about morality and ethics and how there are built-in evolutionary reasons to be moral, and to have compassion and empathy. Morals aren’t just some set of rules that humans came up because we couldn’t get a long. We wrote about what was already in us.

Sam Harris, for example, has written a whole book about it called the Moral Landscape of which he gave a lecture at TED.

Google: Ted Sam Harris Moral Landscape

edgarman

Hi MT,

Great to hear your thoughts.

I have always found the views of Hitchens and Harris really interesting.

Thanks for the link, I have seen this TED lecture before and there is no doubt that certain moral decisions can be made through the crunching of statistics to try and determine the distinction between right and wrong answers in order to benefit a situation or species.

Also, there is overwhelming evidence to support the benefits of compassionate behaviour in different species in order to preserve it’s evolutionary longevity, that being said there are many examples of the exact opposite as well, aggresive and dominant male archetypes in many species defining its’ evolutionary survival.

No doubt, morals were never just rules’ people came up with, this model is way too simplistic. It’s very important to realise that alongside the ability for statistical analysis and the evolutionary benefits of compassionate and empathetic thinking that the conscious practice of specific virtuous principles found in many theological idea’s can also play a critical role in maintaining and preserving moral and ethical prosperity.

Edward

Yes, Marilou, learning things is stupid and boring, and ignorance is bliss. It’s so much easier and more fun to just make things up, then claim it as absolute truth and prove it pointing to yourself believing in it. So much better than trying to figure out how nature actually works.

This is what the documentary is primarily about. How superstition and irrational beliefs harm society. Once an irrational belief becomes sufficiently deep-seated, it controls you and will defend itself when threatened (by others, or even by one’s own attempts to question it). This is, in my opinion, why otherwise rational people suddenly becomes irrational babblers when their beliefs are questioned. The belief shoves aside the rational mind and defends itself. Since it is irrational, its defense is also irrational. It’s the belief in water dowsing that is, essentially, making up the bizarre excuses of the water dowsers in the documentary, just as, for example, a smoking addiction will constantly torment one with reasons why it’s OK to have a cigarette when trying to quit.

People who criticize another person’s belief generally end up reinforcing it in the mind of the believer. Only something close to a personal epiphany can serve to defuse the belief, and even then, it could take years to get rid of it completely. I was taught to believe in god as a child. I believed for years until I started questioning it. It took years after that to finally see religious belief – and any other irrational belief – for what it is.

This documentary is not about showing contempt for people with such irrational beliefs. Mr Dawkins is genuinely trying to convince people to wake up and see the world for what it actually is, not what we might wish it to be.
Marilou

It’s a nightmare… It made me realise how scientific world is boring and depressing… to believe is to feel alive… Does’nt matter in what you believe.. it’s a matter of respect…
This man and his way of thinking and seeing the world is so close minded and straight lined, his life must be really boring…
Oh honey my brain’s telling me how much i love you, by dilating my pupils and giving me an erection…. how poetic. Cause yes love can also be considered as an ennemie of reason in his point of view…

Sorry but for me it is’nt a documentary… it’s propaganda of non-respect!!!

Quixie

I’m a bit confused, Marylou.
Did you personally feel disrespected in some way that you couldn’t articulate in words?
What is the propaganda that you accuse this film of being for?

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Episode 1: Slaves to Superstition

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