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

@Teflon65,

"However, the whole thing could be an illusion, as we cannot currently get inside the minds of other people"

We have seen or somehow detected the errors of others, either as repetitions of previous, or just our own

Anyhow there are principles we use to detect incorrect logic; where simple associative data is often seen as absolute

From the sublime to the ridiculous is but a step.

One can fool all people some of the time; and some people all of the time; but not all, all the time.

MECHANISTIC REFERENCES - ARE WE MACHINES ?

"COGNITIVE MECHANISMS" - Please View:-

"Why We Believe in Gods - Andy Thomson - American Atheists 09"

[ I destroyed every point Andy Thomson made ]

"What are the pathologies of today's religion ?"

"Good start - "Preachers who are atheist."

This statement alone is so redolent with assumptions:-

Preachers are not necessarily practicing religion; if they assume an associative label like "atheist" then we can fairly assume they are not.

(2)

Also we have the question of BELIEF, inherent with the associative label, ie he must accord it "factual data" as understandably applicable; and if this Dennett guy knew anything at all he would refer to the transient nature of it - you will get absolutely nowhere with this static "scientific" reasoning - which exemplifies the science approach; - ie a thing has to be dead or held immobile for them to examine; obviously totally inappropriate here

Science would prove such transience.

(3)

Dan recommends the leaf pictures - well surely we could go outside to the park any winter's day and see all the leaves we like, in pure 3D, enough to last us all year; and the same goes for the rock picture, which doesn't show us, in any immediate way, or even contemplatively, signs of intelligent design.

If we approach this whole symbolised argument in the light of common sense it is surely going to convince us that, figuratively, on two counts, the rocks are in Dan Dennett's head.

(4)

"One way to "induce pathology" is to see how it works and then get it "not to work"..."

- what kind of "science" is that ?

"....in fact if you couldn't do that you'd be hard pressed to, ah....to distinguish what you see from...just ah...just MAGIC or something."

- underhand MAGIC waffle.

Carl Gustav Jung said that in order to understand other people one had to understand oneself.

Dan Dennett's psychopathological analysis ought to be turned on science; as in, "physician cure thyself".

(5)

"What are the pathologies of today's religion ?

"Preachers who are atheists ?"; "Lots of former preachers are atheists"

And; for those who may well have no label to tie round their necks, we have women becoming men, or vice versa; men marrying men...etc

"Those atheists in the room.. talk to you later....ADD YOU TO OUR DATABASE..." -Mhmmm.

"Preachers who are STILL IN THE PULPIT" - out there ready to poison people's lives ?

Bring back McCarthy, all is forgiven ?

(6)

A virtual slew of labels:-

Parishes - Closeted - non-believing - clergy

"Pilot study...6 volunteers(37-72) 3 liberals 3 literals - quite conservative religious backgrounds where they tended to be literalist about reading the bible...liberals came from a..the wheelroom in understanding scripture was already established."

Surely a disgusting exposition of bigotry and ignorance.

Does Dawkins really mean to say that Dan is his guru; is this science or circumstantial associative tripe ?

Dawkins apparently surrounds himself with people, with whom he seems to agree, or who seem to agree with him. We all do this, to some extent, and perhaps to a great extent. However, the whole thing could be an illusion, as we cannot currently get inside the minds of other people.

Religion is slowly dying, and that is a good thing. Until it is dead or near-dead, the human race will continue to be held back by prejudice and conflict brought about by belief in various "gods". Millions of people have suffered and died throughout the eons for what amounts to Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy.