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Why Atheists Need Captain Kirk

Posted by Soulskill on from the need-a-way-to-cheat-death dept.

New submitter anlashok writes: Atheism and science face a real challenge: To frame an account of science, or nature, that leaves room for meaning. According to this article, atheists have pinned their flag to Mr. Spock's mast. But they need Captain Kirk. Quoting: "I'm pro-science, but I'm against what I'll call "Spock-ism," after the character from the TV show Star Trek. I reject the idea that science is logical, purely rational, that it is detached and value-free, and that it is, for all these reasons, morally superior. Spock-ism gives us a false picture of science. It gives us a false picture of humankind's situation. We are not disinterested knowers. The natural world is not a puzzle. ... The big challenge for atheism is not God; it is that of providing an alternative to Spock-ism. We need an account of our place in the world that leaves room for value."

2 of 937 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Great idea! Let's alienate Science even more! by Tablizer · · Score: 1, Troll

    The Creation Museum was founded by an Australian.

    The USA tends to attract nuts from other countries, including Rupert Murdoch and Ted Cruz. It's not about where they come from, but having a place that nurtures and expands such nuttiness.

    --
    Table-ized A.I.
  2. Re:illogical captain by UnknownSoldier · · Score: -1, Troll

    Since you appear to have trouble _reading_ I will repeat what I wrote:

    Atheism is _without_ Belief

    By definition Atheists have ZERO knowledge about God.

    As a Mystic I have personal experience about God so the zero-hypothesis is an incorrect assumption.

    I do 100% agree that Religion is in the business of selling heaven insurance.

    You seem to be lumping Religion and Spirituality together -- there is a big difference between the two:

    * Religion: One man telling another what he should do to understand The Source.
    * Spirituality: One man telling another what he could do to understand The Source.

    > there is still zero physical explanation for Consciousness and Intelligence, yet both clearly exist, albeit as far as we know, not separately)

    Same with numbers, ideas, and time. The metaphysical exists independently of the physical.

    > and dualism offers a non-religious model for that.

    Dualism is incomplete. The hologram is a better analogy.