Atheism not rational?
(reply made to a person who said 'the pope is as rational as sam harris')
No approach can claim to be the 'king of rationality' in some way that is set in stone, infallible and beyond critical consideration. but are any atheists or humanists claiming that? ... surely the default position of humanism is that we should TRY to use rational, logical thinking and clear scientific methods. Not that we are already masters of such and never fail to apply those high standards. A recognition of fallibility and an openness to admit mistakes and overlooked points is surely a key aspect of the humanist approach. Or is that just me?
As to the emotional reaction that possibly 'the pope is as rational as sam harris', it will include an aspect of unexamined thinking on the part of those who like Harris, i agree. But that point ('I'm not at all sure that Harris is the more "rational" figure') is not the case and could be shown to be a very weak point with calm, rational consideration, I think. Meaning that Harris would be shown to be a LESS rational figure than some might automatically assume, yes, but he would still come out far ahead of the lovely old pope.
(I went to see the pope on a rare visit to Scotland in the early 80s with my family, but almost missed him going past us in his pope-mobile, as I was too busy reading a comic!)
(reply made to a person who said 'the pope is as rational as sam harris')
No approach can claim to be the 'king of rationality' in some way that is set in stone, infallible and beyond critical consideration. but are any atheists or humanists claiming that? ... surely the default position of humanism is that we should TRY to use rational, logical thinking and clear scientific methods. Not that we are already masters of such and never fail to apply those high standards. A recognition of fallibility and an openness to admit mistakes and overlooked points is surely a key aspect of the humanist approach. Or is that just me?
As to the emotional reaction that possibly 'the pope is as rational as sam harris', it will include an aspect of unexamined thinking on the part of those who like Harris, i agree. But that point ('I'm not at all sure that Harris is the more "rational" figure') is not the case and could be shown to be a very weak point with calm, rational consideration, I think. Meaning that Harris would be shown to be a LESS rational figure than some might automatically assume, yes, but he would still come out far ahead of the lovely old pope.
(I went to see the pope on a rare visit to Scotland in the early 80s with my family, but almost missed him going past us in his pope-mobile, as I was too busy reading a comic!)