The ISHV Cyber Think Tank is a digest of articles, interviews, and other musings compiled by ISHV Board Member Robert B. Tapp.
Philip Pullman interview by Peter Jukes:
“Nearly all the influences Pullman has cited so far have a religious background, and so, inverting Blake’s comment on Milton, I ask him: ‘Aren’t you really of the believer’s party without knowing it?’ He’s amused by the thought. ‘I probably am,’ he says. ‘I’m religious, but I’m an atheist. I think religious questions are the big questions. Where did we come from? What is life about? What is evil? Those are questions I do think about.’” read
Reasons to Believe, Michael Shermer (1h 2 m) watch
The Fight for our Philosophy is a Council for Secular Humanism symposium appearing in Free Inquiry/ Part 2 (of 3) is in Oct.Nov. issue. Many essential issues for humanists discussed here. See current introductions by Judy Walker and Tom Flynn. read read
'Is religion dying out in Britain?' Andrew Copson on Sunday Morning Live (18m) watch
Dean Burnett, Why religious belief isn't a delusion – in psychological terms, at least: “Well, it shouldn’t be, because as they say, “You talk to God, you’re religious. God talks to you, you’re psychotic.” That’s a line from the TV show House MD), delivered by the eponymous acerbic medic played by Hugh Laurie.” read
Unbelievable? Can secularism save the West? Peter Hitchens & Andrew Copson (1h 22m) watch
Julian Baggini, Truth? It’s not just about the facts:
"At the same time, what is important about the truth is always relative to the knower. The mathematician, the scientist, the artist, the historian and the religious believer are not always concerned with the same truths or the same aspects of truth. Truth is not relative, but we relate to it in innumerable ways.” read
rjosephhoffmann, Moral Outrage read
Discussion guide for Anthony Pinn’s When Colorblindness Isn't The Answer read
Julian Baggini, The triage of truth: do not take expert opinion lying down: “This triage gives us a procedure but no algorithm. It does not dispense with the need to make judgments, it simply provides a framework to help us do so.” read
Joe Chuman, Ethical Culture Beyond Belief and Humanism’s Farther Reaches (40m) watch
Gleb Tsipursky, Matching Challenge watch
Amy Couch, Happy. Healthy. Heathen. An Interview with Recovering from Religion's Gayle Jordan read
David Niose, Ignorance Isn't Bliss—It's Frightening read
Donald A. Collins, Bannon tells the secular truth about religious perfidy read
Dean Burnett, Why aren’t religious views classed as delusions? Religious beliefs are typically incompatible with scientific evidence and observable reality, but aren’t considered to be delusions. Why not? read
Tim Denning, My Incredibly Simple Guide To Stoicism — Learn Wisdom You Can Practically Use read
Noam Chomsky - New Atheists, Islamaphibia, and the War on Terror watch
Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI) website read
Religion Vs Atheism | Philosophy Tube watch
Steven Pinker: The Elephant, the Emperor, and the Matzo Ball (2016 43m) watch
Michael Shermer reviews Robert Sapolsky read
Robyn Blumner, Religion Is An Empirical Question –– Finally Free Inquiry editorial by president/CEO of the Center for Inquiry.
‘Even if we acknowledge some psychological benefits, religion is a costly exercise for individuals and groups.” read
Josh Jones, An Animated Introduction to Stoicism, the Ancient Greek Philosophy That Lets You Lead a Happy, Fulfilling Life watch