Richard Dawkins
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In form, Dawkins's message on atheism is quite abrasive to many. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it has alienated many others who fight unreason, especially those who are not atheists, and those who tread along the [[NOMA]] fence. | In form, Dawkins's message on atheism is quite abrasive to many. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it has alienated many others who fight unreason, especially those who are not atheists, and those who tread along the [[NOMA]] fence. | ||
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| + | In content, many have argued that he is not the finest philosopher of atheism, and that his work contains many inconsistencies and poor examples. However, it is accessible to the public at large, which cannot be said of many of the great philosophical atheist works. | ||
== Career and Qualifications Highlights == | == Career and Qualifications Highlights == | ||
Revision as of 21:50, 10 October 2007
(Clinton) Richard Dawkins[1] (1941- ) is a controversial evolutionary biologist, ethologist and author. As a consequence of his passionate defense of evolution and his attacks on religion and superstition in general he is known as "Darwin's Rottweiler".
He holds the Charles Simonyi Chair for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford.
He initially became known following the publication of The Selfish Gene (1976) which popularized the gene-centric view of evolution which went on to become the mainstream view. This book also introduced the world to the idea of memes - an idea which went on to develop a life of its own.
Among his many best-selling books are The Extended Phenotype (1982) which talked about the way that phenotypic effects can extend beyond an organism's body and extend to the surrounding environment, and The Blind Watchmaker (1986) which explains how natural selection works by small incremental cumulative steps, keeping what 'works' (in terms of the 'good' of the genes comprising the organism) and discarding what doesn't.
Since 1992 he has been married to the former actress, Lalla Ward, with whom he has collaborated on several books, as she has contributed artwork and has also read audiobook versions of Dawkins's work. He has one daughter from a previous marriage.
Contents |
Dawkins and Religion
Dawkins' subject of evolution has frequently been the target of less literate Christian fundamentalists. In his latest book The God Delusion (2006) he outraged the religious establishment by counterattacking in their own back yard.
In the book he takes extreme exception to Stephen Jay Gould's ideas of Non-Overlapping Magisteria. He points out out that God either exists or he does not and that statements about his existence or non existence can be tested by the scientific method in the same way as any other statement.
While many have praised the book, some theological academics have criticized the book because they feel that he has not mastered their terms of art. Dawkins has responded by saying: "Most of us happily disavow fairies, astrology, and the Flying Spaghetti Monster without first immersing ourselves in books of pastafarian theology etc. "[2]
Perhaps surprisingly for some, Dawkins does not explicitly state that God does not exist. Instead he uses the example of Russell's Teapot to highlight the extreme improbability of the existence of God. As he points out, absolutely proving the non-existence of anything is very difficult and consequently we should assume that God has the same probability of existence as fairies at the bottom of the garden. Something not completely and utterly impossible but so wildly improbable that we can operate under the working assumption that they don't exist.
The God Delusion: support and criticism
There has been quite a bit of controversy surrounding "The God Delusion". Most criticism has come from religious fundamentalists and doesn't warrant repeating.
More cogent criticism has involved two particular issues: The content of the message, and the form of the message.
In form, Dawkins's message on atheism is quite abrasive to many. This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it has alienated many others who fight unreason, especially those who are not atheists, and those who tread along the NOMA fence.
In content, many have argued that he is not the finest philosopher of atheism, and that his work contains many inconsistencies and poor examples. However, it is accessible to the public at large, which cannot be said of many of the great philosophical atheist works.
Career and Qualifications Highlights
Dawkins was an assistant professor of zoology in the University of California, Berkeley From 1967 to 1969. In 1970 he was appointed a lecturer, and ten years later he was appointed a reader in zoology in the University of Oxford. (For readers from the USA a "Reader" in a British university is approximately equivalent to an "Associate Professor" or "Full Professor" in the US.)
In 1995, he was appointed Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. This position was endowed by Charles Simonyi with an express intention that Dawkins be its first holder. He has been a fellow of New College, Oxford since 1970. (A fellow is part of the governing body of the university.)
Education, Positions and Degrees [3]
For completeness his full academic career is shown below.
- 1954-1959 Oundle School
- 1959-1962 Balliol College, University of Oxford
- 1962-1966 Research Student, Oxford University (D.Phil., 1966)
- 1965-1967 Research Assistant to Professor N.Tinbergen FRS
- 1967-1969 Assistant Professor of Zoology, University of California, Berkeley
- 1969-1970 Senior Research Officer, Department of Zoology, Oxford
- 1970-1990 University Lecturer in Zoology, and Fellow of New College, Oxford
- 1989 D.Sc. (Oxford)
- 1990-1995 Ad hominem Reader in Zoology, University of Oxford
- 1995- Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science,University of Oxford, and Professorial Fellow of New College
Conservapedia's article on Richard Dawkins contains a bizaire ad hominem suggesting that he is not a "real" professor CP:Richard_Dawkins. His comprehensive response can be found here. [[1]]
Publications
- The Selfish Gene (1976)
- The Extended Phenotype (1982)
- The Blind Watchmaker (1986)
- The God Delusion (2006)
References
- ↑ Official website
- ↑ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBaAJcv7Vxg
- ↑ http://www.simonyi.ox.ac.uk/dawkins/CV.shtml
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