'The Evolution of Confusion' by Dan Dennett, AAI 2009

Dan Dennett talks about purposely-confusing theology and how it's used. He also describes his new project interviewing clergyman who secretly don't believe anymore, and introduces a new term: "Deepity."

Dan Dennett is the author of many excellent books, including "Breaking the Spell: Religion as a Natural Phenomenon" and "Darwin's Dangerous Idea". He is also featured in the video "The Four Horsemen" along with Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens.

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Watch "The Four Horsemen" in HD on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DKhc1pcDFM&feature=PlayList&p=CFE9797...

Filmed by
JOSH TIMONEN

Edited by
JOEL PASHBY

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Daniel Dennett
• Daniel C. Dennett
• Philosophy
• Darwin

[OneWarmDragon]

"As we embrace knowledge, alchemy yields to chemistry, astrology yields to astronomy and religion yields to philosophy ." Christopher Hitchens

I do hope that one day we all throw off these shackles of superstition. What a waste of time and resources.

[atheistdawn]

Dennet is not as in your face as hitchens, but with a kindly smile he still, like Hitchens, kicks you powerfully in the bollocks.

[borjon23]

Dan Dennett: Dawkins' lapdog

[mendelbot]

@Keysteeze "Sophisticated religion..usually is quite different from what they preach to their congregations." Would I always prefer the sophisticated religion to the piety of the good christian folk? The folk stories told to children are wont to outlast the tests of manhood fashions pass.

[mendelbot]

The medium is well intentioned, as is the message, in those who admire him, and whom he admires and would preserve. However, the avirulent form of religion, the soil in which only the gentlest, the kindest, the most gradual change in our deepest convictions, can also give rise to the myriad evils which share their part in our necessary extinction.

The critics and evolved religions are not mortal enemies. They may be our friends yet prefigure our capacity for worse.

[OyonTheAdept]

Santa Claus! :D

[edpaone]

@trollforlife its ok bro. just because someone is on a different path to fulfillness and enlightenment doesnt make it the wrong path. thats what you say. Dont argue with them, that makes you both ignorant.

[metalmolisher666]

@ashwinv89 That made to fit thing is at the heart of science. Lets say you ahve a theory and you can calculate some predictions. And then you meassure what happens in nature. When your predictions and the measurement (and i assume youa re measuring right) do not fit together, you have to change your theory. That way you enhance your theory until you can predict every possible outcome right. If i got it right, cern just more or less proofed string theory. Check their website.

[OneWarmDragon]

My heart goes out to these clergy who must live their lie. I think I understand how they must feel to some degree. I keep my atheism from my father, because I know he is a true believer and it would break his heart for him to believe I am going to eternal damnation. I do think that sometimes you have to let your integrity take a back seat to someone else's emotional, let alone "spiritual" well-being.