On Sunday, I was lucky enough to have been invited by the South Hampshire Humanists (SHH) to do a talk on free will in Southampton. This was my first public speaking engagement in the world of philosophy and I was both nervous and excited. There was an assembled audience of only 20 people which was nice and intimate. I talked for about 45 minutes and then did a Q and A session afterwards.
Back some months ago I turned up to the SHH drinks in a nearby pub - a social to discuss pertinent subjects. I turned up with my books and talked my usual philosophy of religion spiel and they seemed suitably impressed to want me back. Also, two prominent members, Louise and Mike, were interested in our Tippling Philosophers. The TPs, for those who don't know, is our group of friends of disparate beliefs who meet down the pub once a month, We talk and debate anything and everything philosophical and religious and love every minute. So Mike and Louise are now members of our little gang too.
Anywho, one day they invited me too talk at their group meeting (which take place very two months). I did my talk enthusing on the topic of free will and determinism.
What was really interesting is that I did a straw poll of who believed in free will at the beginning of the meeting and about half the people raised their hands. I asked the same question at the end and only one person raised their hand! A great moment followed. In answer to my question "Do you believe in free will?" one lady chirped in:
Bethlehem
is a very important place for the average Christian. It is the birthplace of
Jesus. But it is more than that, it is the birthplace of the predicted Messiah,
whether Jesus existed or not. For Jews and Christians alike, Bethlehem was touted as ‘the place to be
born’ if you had any hopes of achieving Messianic greatness. For an
eva...
Kindle formatting is a nightmare. Not being able to accept tables for free-flowing text is a headache. For my twins book, which had loads of tables, it really proved frustrating. There were some glitches for the Free Will? book too (as well as a duplicated quote). I have now tidied them up and resubmitted a better .prc file for the Kindle version on Amazon. Anyone who has bought an earlier version, let me know (with proof) and I can send you a rectified file. Continue reading...
I was wondering today, as I lay there with one of my twins
in my arms, as to whether oughts can be derived from a natural pre-programmed’
behaviour. For example, if an evolved characteristic, such as aggressiveness in
males (I am generalising here, of course) or to want to eat meat, or, if it
could be proven, that it were ‘natural’ to be heterosexual was inherent in a
human, are we then obliged in some way to act in accordance with that ‘natural’
inclination?
Just reading some writing which Saga Sabin sent me on consciousness, it reminded me of the problem faced with people who claim we have soul but who accept evolution. At what point in evolution did homo erectus or similar develop a soul? Which family had mum and dad without a soul but sonny with a soul?
I don’t profess to have too much opinion on Scottish
independence. It is quite hot news in the UK as there is talk of a referendum
Alex Salmond is leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) who, for the first
time ever, have a majority in the devolved Scottish parliament. There is great
debate as to whether it would be beneficial for Scotland to have their independence
from both sides of the fence.
There are claims that Scotland
are a drain on the UK
parliament and that they cost more ...
I am really enjoying writing at the moment. I have drafted some 40 odd pages. Here is the start to the bppk (after the introduction) which looks at the Gospels as an overview, and then the two texts individually. I have included the short overview section here:
It would be imprudent to start talking about
the issues with the textual accounts of the nativity without at first
acknowledging their background and discussing the...
It always feels good to get a good evening's writing done. i must admit, I am really enjoying writing this new book (working title - 25 Reasons to Disbelieve the Nativity). I am some 20 odd pages in and I will certainly have enough pages to make a decent sized book. It is going to be a job making sure it is concise enough!
I am also rating Gerd Theissen's 'The Historical Jesus'. What a fantastic reference book it is turning out to be! I have just finished my opening background section on the G... Continue reading...
Faith: Belief without evidence in what is told by one who
speaks without knowledge, of things without parallel
Pray, v.: To ask that the laws of the universe be annulled
on behalf of a single petitioner confessedly unworthy
If I were personally to define religion, I would say that it
is a bandage that man has invented to protect a soul made bloody by
circumstances. -Theodore Dreiser, 1941.
I cannot persuade myself that a beneficient and omnipotent
God would have designedly cre...