Darwin, Lincoln, and the New Atheists - Adam Gopnik

Complete video at: http://fora.tv/2009/01/26/Adam_Gopnik_at_City_Arts__Lectures

Adam Gopnik, author of Angels and Ages, discusses how Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin differed in their approaches to atheism, and contrasts their views with those of modern atheists such as Richard Dawkins.

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Adam Gopnik presents his book, Angels and Ages, which covers the lives of Charles Darwin and Abraham Lincoln. He then sits down with FORA.tv's Brian Gruber to trace the influence of these legendary men in modern times.

Adam Gopnik has been a staff writer for The New Yorker since 1986. His work for that publication has earned him both the George Polk Award for Magazine Reporting as well as three National Magazine Awards for Essay and Criticism. He is the author of several books.

His most recent book is Angels and Ages: A Short Book About Darwin, Lincoln, and Modern Life.

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[dideoxynucleotide]

Bullshit. I've seen videos of Dawkins many, many times where he says that religious inspired art and music and architecture is brilliant. His only argument is that these arts don't prove a God exists, and also that one need not believe in any divinity in order to be awed by these works. I almost bought this guy's book, and now I think I shall not. If he a) lied or b) misinterpreted Dawkins so egregiously, It makes me question his ability to interpret the sources that went into his book.

[tubiejonny]

You bought Dawkins book this the morning of the interview and read it prior?

He had lots of time to think about it eh?

Fucking liar.

[ChaneyBrinkmanBurlin]

Lots of time to think about what? Dawkins' arguments are so trivial that it takes seconds to grasp the whole of them.

[ivlfounder]

@bmille87

Or you could tell me why Dawkins wouldn't lie.

[bmille87]

@ivlfounder - if this is an accusation, please list your example(s) and proof that they are in fact knowingly dishonest on the part of Prof. Dawkins. thanks in advance.

[drfoxcourt]

Mr Gopnick needs to read a bit more of Prof Dawkins. Dawkins has stated time and again that he has a deep appreciation for music, art, architecture and the numinous. He also wonders just how much greater all that would have been/is if it were dedicated to the non-superstitious.

It may be Gopnick needs some more time to ruminate on Dawkins's points.

[EhDkay]

No blood for music. :)

[EhDkay]

I like the music and art that religion influenced as much as the next person but it disturbs me that people say music and art was worth all the turmoil and loss of life.

[ivlfounder]

@clarkanorak

And we all know Dawkins would never lie.

[justinoakley999]

"just read it today"... cool story bra!

[clarkanorak]

The idiot mentions Handel's Messiah. He's never heard Dawkins say on countless occasions that Handel's Messiah is one of his favourite pieces of music and  as such he could not do without it. A pathetic moron who should keep his mouth shut about matters he knows nothing about.

[VanGoghsEar1890]

That's not at all what Dawkins said. Paraphrasing him he said he enjoys a lot of music and art on religious subjects, and someone telling him he can't (because he's an Atheist), is like telling him he can't enjoy great literature because the characters are fictional. This guy is a typical religious, pathological liar.