Challenges from science Flashcards
(18 cards)
What is Alister Mcgraths job
Professor of science and religion at oxford university
What is Dawkins analogy of the world and the universe being created out of randomeness
A hurricane blowing through a scrapyard and putting a boeing 747 together
What are Dawkins two problems with the God Hypothesis
It is reductive-There are more options than by chance or from god-offers natural selection as a reason for the complexity of life
Saying that god designed all complex things is just kicking the can down the road-God is even less likely to arise than complex life-like saying a 747 was created by a more complex 747
What is the Anthropic Approach
That in order for complex life to be observed, it needs to have arisen first i.e. It makes little sense to talk about how rare the chance of life observing is, since there is only one outcome where we can talk about it
What is one solution to why life, such a complex thing, has arisen
Multiverse theory-infinite worlds-one has to have life evolved
What two evolutionary traits, according to dawkins, led to us inventing religion
1)Human tendency to obey elders and assign them authority
2)Pleistocene era programming to apply meaning and purpose to animals and objects
Dawkmings uses “memes” to show how these ideas have permeated human culture
How many scientists in the us, roughly believe in God
40%-ssimilar in both 1916 and 1997
Does Dawkins believe that Einstein was a theist, as he claimed
No
What point do the McGraths raise against the idea that God is something like the toothfairy-a make believe story
Adults often convert later in life; gives the example of Anthony Flew who converted in his 80s
What do the mcgraths describe the God Delusion as
A work of polemic without evidence
How does Jay Gould, an evolutionariy biologist, describe science and religion
NOMA-Non overlapping magisteria-Sciene and religion have nothing in common
How do the McGraths view science and religion
POMA-Partially Overlapping Magisteria-They can help each other become more informed
Why does Dawkins criticise the god of the gaps argument
Because Science can be used to explain why-gaps in evolution are intelligent design
What is Behe’s irreducible complexity
A system composed of multiple interacting parts that are essential for the system’s function, too complex to have arisen naturally
What 4 functions, previously filled by religion, does Dawkins say science can now fill
Explanation-Religion no longer needed
Exhortation-Religion previously needed for people to live good lives-science can now allow that e.g. utilitarianism
Consolation-Science allows people to find new ways to think about the world?????Dawkins is vague
Inspiration-Sheer grandeur and complexity of life is an endless source of inspiration, not a made up god
What facets of religion do the mcgraths claim Dawkins ignores
The prophetic critique of religion-Prophets of israel advocated for social justice and reform for the better
Inclusive ministry of jesus-social justice etc
Danger of an absence of religion-french revolution
Religion is more than belief-Dawkins strawmans religion to ultra orthodox jihadis and not everyday believers
What is scientism
Belief that scientific techniques and knowledge will answer everything
Dawkins assumes this implicitly, and perhaps without evidence
