Comments by Brian English

1551. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #224762 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 3:27 pm

Brian - still holding to the JTB-view of knowledge? How old-fashioned of you :)

I don't need to hold to it. I've seen so many Xtians describe knowledge thus. I guess I think of knowledge as believing a fact and not just guessing the right answer but that's about as philosophically sound as swiss cheese.

of course! Now it all makes sense. Perfectly coherent and justified - not ridiculous at all. *cough*

Still holding on to coherency and justification? How quaint. ;)

1552. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #224488 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 3:26 am

From MPhil's link:

What we do know is that either eternal torment in hell or eternal joy in heaven awaits all people after death, based on whether they trust in Christ's payment for sin or reject Christ.

They know? So it's a justified true belief? The mind boggles.

1553. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224479 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 3:01 am

Oystein you're as bad as Steve. How do you expect to be convinced if you wait for reproducible results? It's so self defeating! Just give in to the belief.

1554. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224472 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:54 am

Steve, you're always bringing logic and reason, and a demand for empirical evidence into a discussion. How do you expect to be convinced of amazing things if you keep being so skeptical? Can't you see how self-defeating your attitude is?

1555. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #224469 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:49 am

Euthyphro? Don't use your logic and clear thinking in an argument!

1556. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #224467 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:47 am

How is such a punishment not evil?

God = good, whatever god does = good. If god deprives a person of every joy and good emotion because it's god = good.

1557. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224463 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:38 am

Steve, keep the champagne in the cold fusion reactor for now. Don't want it to get hot. :)

Quetz, I think you've demonstrated cold-fusion. Not in a way that's useful in a power-plant (unless that plant be solar) but still, it's now demonstrated!

1558. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224460 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:32 am

And if I had thought SZ's comment was a considered use of consensus in the sense you describe, I would not have made my response.

Apologies if I've put my foot in it but I just assume Steve's responses are considered. He's English after all. ;)

1559. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224450 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:20 am

Go with the consensus? Baaa There's a reason why going with the consensus is important. It's possible to get a result that for various reasons is false. When many other people do the tests independently and get the same result, they form a consensus. It increases the probability that the theory is explaining reality. This is a strength of science, it deserves more than a Baaa.

1560. Physicist Claims First Real Demonstration of Cold Fusion

Comment #224449 by Brian English on August 5, 2008 at 2:18 am

Steve:

The thing that everyone is after is not fusion, but reproducible fusion with enough excess heat to supply energy.

Look at the sun man! Or the hydrogen bomb!

Or did you mean cold fusion?

1561. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #224409 by Brian English on August 4, 2008 at 10:03 pm

Mike, just started reading Swinburne's 'coherence of theism.' So far I'm not converted and there's nothing I find particularly objectionable. But I'm only at the stage where he, like Mackie later make the case against strong verificationism. Or should I say that we can coherently comprehend claims that theism makes in some sense.

1562. The Emptiness of Theology

Comment #223887 by Brian English on August 3, 2008 at 3:45 pm

Theology is a subset of philosophy.

Then so is science and maths. Yet all have their own faculties.

1563. The Emptiness of Theology

Comment #223881 by Brian English on August 3, 2008 at 3:34 pm

Is that a coherent system? That is a theological question.

Isn't coherency a logical attribute? Thus it is really the province of any field that uses logical conjecture, maybe Philosophy (but then again, most philosophers won't waste their time).

1564. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #223871 by Brian English on August 3, 2008 at 3:06 pm

1. There is an ultimate scientific explanation for everything.

Could be. Science has been quite (as in ridiculously) good at explaining things but I have no reason to suppose that the method can explain or our minds understand all there is.

2. This explanation can be discovered and understood by humans using the scientific method.

See above.

3. The explanation is in some sense "simple."

As far as we can tell the universe is all energy, and energy is wavelike. Pretty simple it would seem.

4. When we find this explanation it will vindicate the world view of Richard Dawkins.

I think Richard Dawkins subscribes to the scientific viewpoint. Which has been incredibly productive and explanatory. But science changes and I believe thus that Richard Dawkins' viewpoint would follow to the consensus position. His position would change over time. So, if we ever get a complete explanation of the universe it would not be difficult to hold that that will be the position of a scientist like Dawkins.

1565. Breeding for God

Comment #223396 by Brian English on August 2, 2008 at 7:23 am

Religion in Europe is dying.!

Thank God!

1566. Richard Dawkins branded 'secularist bigot' by veteran philosopher

Comment #223278 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 11:26 pm

I've been culling slacker brain cells for years. Yet I'm not really a high performing intellectual. I can't think why?

Regarding the article: Richard is correct, flew can't write a book these days but when you read the statement it seems somewhat callous. Though it surely wasn't intended so. What is it about humans feeling sorry for people who've lost it? I thought we were supposed to be rational egoists! ;)

1567. The Trolls Among Us

Comment #223217 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 8:00 pm

Carto, I think those net speak acronyms started off as an argot for the in crowd or a sign of membership. Like all things deemed cool they are spread by the people who want to fit in (teenagers) and are just a pain in the arse.

1568. The Trolls Among Us

Comment #223216 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 7:56 pm

If people didn't use such nasty, trite little net-speak tags they would have to find a way to couch their sentiments in more eloquent and varied language

Sublimely put dear chap. Sterling effort. ROFLMAO. ;)

1569. Lying for Jesus?

Comment #223161 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 3:56 pm

Good post fizhburn.

I was trying to achieve something similar but much more modest fashion with this Humean inspired post.

1570. The Trolls Among Us

Comment #223158 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 3:47 pm

When I saw the article title I thought it was just a comment by Josh about our friends Wooter, Jooter and Txpiper and their demise on the RD.NET site.

1571. The moment of truth

Comment #223154 by Brian English on August 1, 2008 at 3:26 pm

that Western converts or believers are stark-raving bonkers

Edited for accuracy. ;)

1572. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222811 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 11:55 pm

Hey, I'm all for religion shedding it's claim to truth about the universe and being about finding ones place and spirituality. I'm not sure religious people are.

1573. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222801 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 11:37 pm

Old Sarum. When people speak of a philosophy, they're not referring to the study of philosophy. A business may have a philosophy of paying workers well for example. This has no relation to the academic pursuit.
The word has different meanings in these contexts.

1574. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222776 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 10:23 pm

For many, the search itself is the point of the adventure - a cognitively exuberant embrace of the world that renders that world much more joyful (& comforting) than it otherwise would be.

I think the we should seek knowledge, discovery is fun and but I don't like the need to have an over arching meaning for everything. It smacks of the need for a security blanket. Something religion is only too willing to offer. But I may have misunderstood your comment.

1575. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222772 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 10:14 pm

I think it's simple projection Dr. Doctor. They have dogma in their lifes. So, atheists must have dogma and that dogma must be science as that's all they ever mention.

1576. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222770 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 10:10 pm

But religion at its best is centrally concerned with rendering the universe humanly meaningful,

That presupposes the universe is humanly meaningful. Religion just assumes this. It's not at all evident or necessary to have a meaningful life.

1577. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222764 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 9:56 pm

J Mac, your example of particle/anti-particle shows that something comes from nothing.

http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?id=are-virtual-particles-rea&topicID=13

1578. Breeding for God

Comment #222712 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 6:51 pm

And did you know that 64% of statistics are wrong Kent?

Or something similar the great Homer once uttered.

1579. What's wrong with science as religion

Comment #222675 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 5:20 pm

I'd like one of these "other ways of knowing" people to give a clear explanation of what, besides the evidence of the senses (plus whatever a priori stuff we get from brain structure), we have to work with. How does that evidence (supposing it is evidence) provide justification for belief? What in heck is the epistemology of the "supernatural"?

Hear, hear!

1580. Breeding for God

Comment #222655 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 4:42 pm

Laurie, how's the free-thinking conference coming along?

1581. Breeding for God

Comment #222654 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 4:42 pm

Brian - the encyclical on contraception (1968, if memory serves) *is* infallible.

I think Humanae vitae was infallible. But it's not the case that because the pope said something it's automatically infallible....

1582. Breeding for God

Comment #222632 by Brian English on July 31, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Just consider Catholics. They all, in principle, sign up to the business about the Pope being in charge and having a tendency to be infallible, and yet the number who use contraceptives (especially in Western democracies) is considerable.

This may have been pointed out already but most of the Pope's statements aren't considered infallible. It's only when he makes a statement ex cathedra that it's considered infallible.....

1583. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222201 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 10:02 pm

Goldy, I was just recalling a part of my life. It doesn't cause me sorrow. I can understand Carto feeling down, he's going through it.
Good story Sarmatae1

1584. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222196 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:29 pm

When I saw that at least a half dozen flowers in the adjascent flower bed had stamens that were touching!

There's nothing more camp than stamens!

1585. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222192 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:14 pm

Yeah, Grog and sadness or anguish don't make happy bed fellows. If there was a video of my life, some of my more pathetic moments would involve pent up emotions and too much alchohol. Yuk!

1586. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222190 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:12 pm

Carto, sad to hear about your parents. That must've been hell. I guess if we ever catch up at some RD.NET convention you won't be having a pint with me. Sad about that too.....

1587. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222189 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:10 pm

One thing I've learned in life is that there is no such thing as the 1. I know the fairy-tale pays the bills in Hollywood, but it's just fantasy. Relationships develop and deepen and there's no perfect person....When I was younger there was a girl who I had the hots for and thought that she'd be the perfect partner, but she didn't think the same of me and nothing happened (except she rejected my advances, etc). I moved on and don't think about her at all these days and am happily married.....

1588. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222186 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:06 pm

At least it's good that you're not drowning your sorrows each day.

1589. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222185 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 9:05 pm

Poor swans. Are they that weird white variation or the standard black swan?

1590. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222182 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:56 pm

J. Mac, males that compete for mates and loose or are at a lower echelon do suffer depression. Humans are hypothesized to suffer depression when in a lower power situation too. For example, you may be a go-getter in a low power job and end up suffering depression if the chances of scaling the hierachy are non-existence. It's surmised that in these situations depression, in reducing one's drive, stops one from railing against the situation and accepting it somewhat. The adaptive benefit being you don't was energy and resources chasing rainbows or injure yourself tackling a dominant male who would kill or maim you....

Would that require a degree of imaginative capacity unknown outside our own species?

I'd think so, but that would be species chauvinism on my part and not necessarily the truth.

1591. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222179 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:48 pm

And there are CERTAINLY many animals that form lifelong pair bonds, much stronger than we promiscuous apes, so strong in fact that in some animals if the mate dies they LITERALLY wither and die themselves.

True, but we don't know about young animals that haven't yet paired. Do they suffer from unrequited love?

1592. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222177 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:44 pm

Probably a wise call Carto. Often you joke about luring young guys like you're a black widow, so I was riffing on those lines. Oh well, there's not much help I can offer which isn't mere platitudes and stuff. I'll stop making light of the situation. :)

1593. To beat extremism we must dissolve religious groups

Comment #222174 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:41 pm

I read somewhere that there were complaints about Mo's wives takin' their constitutional out in the open because at that time in Mecca, or Median, Mo and gang weren't doing well and so used the desert. So Mo, conveniently, has a vision that told him to make all his wives cover up so that people didn't notice them doing the toilet. That's probably apocryphal.

1594. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222173 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:37 pm

Poor Carto.

You're pining and withering? Can't you just have a meaningless bonk to get you through now and then? Do it for us Carto, even if you, erm, aren't quite 'into' it. The site would suffer. Quite selfish of me I know.

I'm not sure that many animals suffer from unrequited love. I'm not sure the extent that an animal can be said to consciously love. It's all speculation.

1595. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222169 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:31 pm

If the relationship is imaginary, then it's not the relationship that exists, friendship, but another? You got the hots for him or you think you're King Carto and he's a loyal subject? I just don't have enough immagination....

1596. Kung poo panda 'The Sex Lives of Animals' exhibit digs deep.

Comment #222167 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:24 pm

Or male nipples ;-)

Goldy, what is it with you and man boobs? This is verging on obsession. ;)

1597. To beat extremism we must dissolve religious groups

Comment #222165 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 8:22 pm

Don't feel bad Layla, just an observation. Goldy put it better. It's like falling madly in love. In fact, the analogy of dogmatic belief that brooks no questioning and being in love with a person and ignoring any detrimental comments is quite a good one.

Thanks for the info. I'd hear the Satanic verses were about Mo allowing worship of other deities then later changing his mind and saying Satan must've done it. Perhaps the whole Quran is the work of Satan if he can so easily trick Mo?

1598. To beat extremism we must dissolve religious groups

Comment #222152 by Brian English on July 30, 2008 at 7:38 pm