PZ Myers debates theistic evolutionist Denis Alexander (Show of 27 June 09)

[justinbrierley]

http://www.premier.org.uk/~/media/Images/TV/thumbnails/Myers_Alexander_80x60.ashx

I've been off the site for a while but coming back into the fray with a great show between arch atheist PZ Myers and UK biochemist Denis Alexander. Denis is a Christian and director of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion in Cambridge.

They discuss "Is Christian faith at odds with science?"

Listen here


http://www.premierradio.org.uk/listen/ondemand.aspx?mediaid={6E927C1C-283A-4F9E-8816-DF581ADDE9FF}

or get the MP3 here:

http://ondemand.premier.org.uk/unbelievable/AudioFeed.aspx

Is PZ guilty of a form of "scientism" - it seems to me he believes the only questions that are worth asking are the ones that material science can answer.

I don't think he actually showed a contradiction between faith in God and doing science.

[Pumbelo]

I'm sure the reactions in the comment section of Pharyngula are going to be a great source for amusement.

[JeromeD]

Is PZ guilty of a form of "scientism" - it seems to me he believes the only questions that are worth asking are the ones that material science can answer.

That seems to be entirely correct, based on a quote that appears to make this explicitly clear;

"Where I found religion intensely inadequate is that it does not answer anything. Most of its answers are wrong... it's a distraction from the interesting stuff that's going on in the universe" (PZ Myers)

[Marplot]

Indeed. PZ makes a category mistake--the same ontological error that Dawkins makes.

This interview was great. I really enjoyed it. I like this Denis Alexander guy.

[glassonion]

Hi Justin,
I haven't been here long so I never realized you were gone but welcome back and thanks for the link..........vey interesting and enjoyable.

Peace