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I have a burning need to know stuff and I love asking awkward questions.

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Quote of the Day.

"To accuse science of robbing life of the warmth that makes it worth living is so preposterously mistaken, so diametrically opposed to my own feelings and those of most working scientists, I am almost driven to the despair of which I am wrongly suspected… The feeling of awed wonder that science can give us is one of the highest experiences of which the human psyche is capable. It is a deeply aesthetic passion to rank with the finest that music and poetry can deliver."

Richard Dawkins.

4 comments:

Skywolf said...

I don't always agree with Dawkins, but this is so true.

CyberKitten said...

theologix said: Coming from Dawkins, I take it that this is speaking to the so-called war between religion and science?

I don't think so. I think that he's simply saying that Science can be as awe inspriring as other viewpoints. It's also an answer to those (who I have personally come across) who wrongly say that Science somehow diminishes our relationship with the Universe.

theologix said: Any thinking Christian should (and I find that most do) see science as a multi-wondered device-- not the least being the ability to study the creation to behold the Creator.

I've heard that said before. However, there are a number of vocal people who appear to see Science as the enemy of religion - from both sides of the debate. Science & Religion need not be 'at war' with each other as long as the Rules of Engagement between them are followed.

theologix said: Also, is the reference to most "working scientists" an inference that most scientists are atheists?

Possibly. Though I think that you might actually be reading more into it than Dawkins intended. It does seem to be true though. Most scients *are* atheists - and the higher you go up the scientific tree the precentage of atheists increase too.

Skywolf said: I don't always agree with Dawkins, but this is so true.

Welcome back. Good break?

Juggling Mother said...

It was said at the end of his first programme of his new series - talking about mediums/astrologers and spiritualists (as in aura readers, people who see spirits ect). he was saying humanity should not need to (re)turn to the supernatural to fnd beauty & wonder, the natural provides that in abundance.

Shockingly, 25% of the British public claim to believe in astrology. one wonders what would happen if some of the big publications used that for political gain. it doesn't take a great stretch of the imagination to write "do not take any major decisions today" on the day of the vote for a strike, or perhaps, "it's time for a change and only you have the ability to make that change" on the day of a general election!



Oh. !!!!

CyberKitten said...

25% was a shocking figure wasn't it. I wouldn't have been surprised to hear that 25% *read* their horoscopes regularly... but BELIEVE in them... [gulp].

He does seem to have calmed down since his last seris. Maybe he was warned about his blood pressure!