Beyond Belief 2006

[Imperialism Inc.]

I figure people here have probably heard of this before but just in case I thought I'd post a link. It is conference of atheist thinkers (and two token theists) from scientists to philosophers. Dawkins and Harris are there, of course, but they are far from the highlight of the conference in my opinion. I've spent the last couple months listening to all 10 sessions and it was a great conference. If you only want to watch a little I would suggest session 9. There are a couple speakers (atheists) there who very much dislike Sam Harris' message. Their talks and the discussion after with Sam are pretty interesting. Susan Neiman, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Ann Druyan (Sagan's widow) were also memorable.

The videos can be watched from the web page and there are also full .avi files floating around on the P2P networks (especially ed2k network).

http://beyondbelief2006.org/
http://beyondbelief2006.org/Watch/

http://beyondbelief2006.org/About/
Just 40 years after a famous TIME magazine cover asked "Is God Dead?" the answer appears to be a resounding "No!" According to a survey by the Pew Forum on Religion & Public Life in a recent issue of Foreign Policy magazine, "God is Winning". Religions are increasingly a geopolitical force to be reckoned with. Fundamentalist movements - some violent in the extreme - are growing. Science and religion are at odds in the classrooms and courtrooms. And a return to religious values is widely touted as an antidote to the alleged decline in public morality. After two centuries, could this be twilight for the Enlightenment project and the beginning of a new age of unreason? Will faith and dogma trump rational inquiry, or will it be possible to reconcile religious and scientific worldviews? Can evolutionary biology, anthropology and neuroscience help us to better understand how we construct beliefs, and experience empathy, fear and awe? Can science help us create a new rational narrative as poetic and powerful as those that have traditionally sustained societies? Can we treat religion as a natural phenomenon? Can we be good without God? And if not God, then what?

This is a critical moment in the human situation, and The Science Network in association with the Crick-Jacobs Center brought together an extraordinary group of scientists and philosophers to explore answers to these questions. The conversation took place at the Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA from November 5-7, 2006.

[northernsoul]

1. looks interesting, thanks!

I'll have to check it out (if I ever have the time)

[Imperialism Inc.]

2. selfish kick

just in case anyone who might be interested missed it.