
Submission + - Deciphering The Magic Of Reality (acs.org) 7
hlovy writes: My 7-year-old son, Max, and I co-wrote a review of Richard Dawkins’ children’s book, “The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True,” for Chemical & Engineering News. It was a wonderful collaboration with my son, who is already much brighter than I ever was at that age. I’m very proud of him. Here’s an excerpt:
"Yes, we get it. These myths/stories seem ridiculous, and Dawkins takes the tone he always takes when describing religious stories—a condescending one. Yet to somebody who was raised in religion but also understands science, the mocking tone also mocks culture. It is a difficult thing to describe to those who did not grow up with religion. I can devote my career to writing about science, yet also feel strangely defensive about the stories of my childhood. In his
previous book, “The God Delusion,” Dawkins compared this reaction to our evolutionary need to obey our parents. I do not know if this is true, since I have not obeyed my parents in decades. Nevertheless, I continue to feel possessive about stories I know to be myths simply because they are an important part of the way my parents raised me.
"Yes, we get it. These myths/stories seem ridiculous, and Dawkins takes the tone he always takes when describing religious stories—a condescending one. Yet to somebody who was raised in religion but also understands science, the mocking tone also mocks culture. It is a difficult thing to describe to those who did not grow up with religion. I can devote my career to writing about science, yet also feel strangely defensive about the stories of my childhood. In his
previous book, “The God Delusion,” Dawkins compared this reaction to our evolutionary need to obey our parents. I do not know if this is true, since I have not obeyed my parents in decades. Nevertheless, I continue to feel possessive about stories I know to be myths simply because they are an important part of the way my parents raised me.
Sentimentalism masquerading as insight. (Score:2)
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
Secondly, constructing a hypothesis that explains current knowledge is part of the scientific method, but I am not a scientist, nor do I have to be, as this is not a scientific matter.
Wake me up when you are able to address the substance of what I said, and not the context in which I said it. I've already done you that much courtesy.
(Oh, and it's astoundingly hypocritical that you approach m
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:2)
My point about your heritage is actually a summary of a very commonly held conclusion among sociologists, and is frequently acknowledged by Jews themselves, who style themselves as "Jewish atheists" or "cultural Jews". The fact that you some
Re: (Score:1)
Re: (Score:1)