Lawrence Krauss Discussion (4/12) - Richard Dawkins

See more at http://RichardDawkins.net

Richard Dawkins and Lawrence Krauss sat down for a public discussion at Stanford University on Sunday, March 9th 2008. The focus was on Science education, but the discussion also covered religion, physics, evolution and more. This video will be released on DVD soon at RichardDawkins.net , along with other unmoderated discussions with Richard Dawkins.

Credits:
Filmed by Josh Timonen and Wayne Marsala
Edited by Josh Timonen

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Richard
• Dawkins
• Lawrence
• Krauss
• Teaching
• Science
• Evolution
• Quantum
• Physics
• Religion
• God

[WeirdGuy4928]

The video/sound out of sync problem seems to have been fixed. Thank God for that.

[dorosatt]

@5:20, Krauss says,  "The purpose of education is actually not to validate ignorance, but to overcome it." Beautiful!

[yasiru89]

That attempts by seduction are needed suggests a frightening fundamentalism at work when it comes to religious belief. This may be mainly an American problem, going by Dr Krauss's remarks. In any case, I think it's disingenuous to try tacking on a science atop religious nonsense in the hope that at least the nonsense will now have complement. Ironically, Dr Krauss bemoans just the converse of this when he mentions the demand that the 'controversy' be taught. Prof. Dawkins has the right of it.

[jamespiperca]

If you study music you'll know it's the theory of music. I guess music doesn't exist.

[grant50]

"The purpose of education is not to validate ignorance, but to overcome it." Well said Mr. Krauss.

[crowesarethebest]

FINALLY, a scientist (Krauss) addresses the issue of knowledge of science for the very few, "How do you expect to get support for science and an understanding of science if it's not accessible?" This is one of the main problems and needs to be addressed

[Zmaster108]

O.o Man, I can't believe that 40% of Americans believe the world is less than 10,000 years old. Over here in Australia they teach us evolution as a fact and about the big bang. I would be very hard pressed to find anyone in my year level (year 11) that doesn't believe in evolution. Many people couldn't care less about religion over here. It's hard to imagine living with creationism being the normal belief, at least for people my age anyway.

[ErikHultin1]

9:15 to 9:17 Dawkins prooving evolution by becoming a monkey....

[weefeatures]

@MrLittletomdj I agree with you, a more aggressive approach forces them back into their shell to defend their stance at all cost. It becomes a war, whereas a Harris approach seems to be more constructive way for them to listen and be less defensive as he's not oppressing or insulting them.

[MrLittletomdj]

@FlintboyG We're not entirely at odds on this. When Hitchens calls out circumcision as immoral, wicked and evil in a forceful tone, he hammers that point home. Hats off to that! Forcefulness is not my gripe though. Insults & adhominen attacks are. Hitchens certainly illustrates clearly that no harmony can be reached between many current religious dogmas and diplomacy. "This is wrong & you can & should understand why" is my prefered approach. It's not as if I practice what I'm preaching though.

[FlintboyG]

@MrLittletomdj I think there is a place for strident atheism. Granted most people will cower back into cognitive dissonance at first but a strongly placed seed may be more likely to take serious root than a kind and gentle "agree to disagree" mentality. I think, of course, this will vary from person to person.

[DraskyVanderhoff]

@urbanguerrilla64 Replay it and see if it change :P