Dennett vs McGrath - Part 3 of 9

This is a debate at the Royal Institution in London between philosopher Daniel C Dennett and professor of theology Alister McGrath. The debate is on the ideas presented in Dennett's book Breaking the Spell, such as the concept of the meme and the evolution of religion.
The debate is moderated by Madeleine Bunting.
Daniel Clement Dennett (born March 28, 1942 in Boston, Massachusetts) is a prominent American philosopher whose research centers on philosophy of mind, philosophy of science and philosophy of biology, particularly as those fields relate to evolutionary biology and cognitive science. He is currently the co-director of the Center for Cognitive Studies, the Austin B. Fletcher Professor of Philosophy, and a University Professor at Tufts University. Dennett is also a noted atheist and advocate of the Brights movement.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Dennett

Alister Edgar McGrath (born 23 January 1953) is a Christian theologian, who holds both a DPhil (in molecular biophysics) and an earned Doctor of Divinity degree from Oxford. He is noted for his work in historical, systematic and scientific theology.

In his writing and public speaking, he promotes "scientific theology" and opposes antireligionism. McGrath was until recently Professor of Historical Theology at the University of Oxford, but has now taken up the chair of Theology, Religion and Culture at King's College London since September 2008. Until 2005, he was principal of Wycliffe Hall.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alister_McGrath

Category:

Education

Tags:

• debate
• God
• religion
• atheism
• atheist
• meme
• Christian
• Breaking
• the
• Spell
• Daniel
• Dennett
• Alister
• McGrath

[polymath7]

(Chortle) McGrath quotes first-order pinhead Madeline "what is be-lief?" Bunting.

Cute.

It would be difficult to cite someone better suited to inversely enhance ones own intellectual credibility.

[riversonthemoon]

"It would be difficult to cite someone better suited to inversely enhance ones own intellectual credibility"

That's awesome expression. lol

I was surprised to see her moderating the debate, as she has been quite outspoken against 'new' atheism.

[MartinJWillett]

You can't expect Daniel Dennett to finish on time. He's wonderful to listen to, unquestionably brilliant but a stranger to concision.

[huwrj]

McGrath's section is just a giant ad-hominem on atheists. Waste of time.

[seanhall2006]

I really like Alister McGrath, unlike Denett he can actually make a point and not spend his time nitpicking.

[PaXx]

Dennett is so interesting!

[polymath7]

*all

[polymath7]

Actually, I don't think he believes any of that at at ail.

Rather, I think he is manifestly a base opportunist and conscious intellectual parasite who's just trying to sell a few books ('The Dawkins Delusion'...).

To me, he has the unmistakable bearing of a nervous, bungling con man afraid he'll be found out at any moment.

Like an idiot who unwittingly holds his cards facing outward, this is written quite legibly all over his face.

[hymnofashes]

@polymath7 McGrath thinks atheism makes things simple, and that without Jesus its time to worship Karl Marx and fornication instead, because without God there'd be no consequences.

---But wait! There ARE consequ-

...and that's about as far as he'll ever get.