Great debate to watch from 1 to 11.
Wolpe is extremely sharp and unlike other videos of debates or interviews between the religious and the atheist camps, especially those with dawkins, this exchange has a balanced feel that will be a good ride for viewers. A religious person inclining on the side of Wolpe will not be turned off, nor an atheist on the side of Harris too comfortable. To make things better, Wolpe is a Jew, not a Christian or Muslim (these 2 religions being the most anti-atheist, if that word makes sense without being a double negative, within the online community), and Harris is not the hardened to "science solves everything" kind of guy. If he is, he doesn't come across that way with his (correct me if i'm mistaken) openness to spirituality. I believe he endorses "rationality" rather than pure objective and quantifiable "science".
What this means is that a dogmatic scientist and a faith-filled christian isn't tied down to the words of either speaker. We are excused to hide and watch the debate from a purely observing position.
In a way, Harris is perfect for the debate against Wolpe, in terms of entertainment. Among the "four horsemen", Dawkins is the scientist, Hitchens the hands-on journalist in international relations and political situations, Dennett the one I know nothing about because of his boring beard, and Harris must be the philosopher. He is the best candidate to play on common ground with religious arguments that more often than not fall within the realm of philosophy and outside of everything else. Had this been a creationism vs evolution debate, Dawkins would be your man.
Friday, October 23, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment