Saturday, February 23, 2013

Intelligence Squared Debates - Science Refutes God (2012)


This clash of titans between Lawrence Krauss, Micheal Shermer, Ian Hutchinson, and Dinesh D'Souza centered around the notion "Science Refutes God" was broadcasted, in a heavily edited form, on National Public Radio.  This is the full unedited version.  Its the first debate I've seen with Ian Hutchinson, a christian Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT and the author of Monopolizing Knowledge.  Since I haven't read his book yet, I can only quote its synopsis from Goodreads.
Can real knowledge be found other than by science? In this unique approach to understanding today's culture wars, an MIT physicist answers emphatically yes. He shows how scientism --- the view that science is all the knowledge there is --- suffocates reason as well as religion. Tracing the history of scientism and its frequent confusion with science, Hutchinson explains what makes modern science so persuasive and powerful, but restricts its scope. Recognizing science's limitations, and properly identifying what we call nature, liberates both science and non-scientific knowledge [1].
One should not find it surprising that a religious perspective of looking at the world inflicts limits on the scope and breadth of science.  "There are limits to scientific knowledge!", states the believer to which I retort, "Why are there limits to science?" to which the believer replies, "Because science can't prove God!"  The two stars of this debate, in my opinion, are Lawrence Krauss and Dinesh D'Souza.  Both make excellent points, are well articulated, and score major points for both sides.  Watch Dinesh D'Souza destroy Daniel Dennet in this debate, although I think its partially because Dinesh is capable of yelling louder.  Ian Hutchinson, while eloquently spoken, makes several easily rebuffed arguments.  It's also an uncharacteristically poor performance from Micheal Shermer, who sounds somewhat flummoxed during certain points and rehashes other people's phrases a few times (Dawkins, Hitchens, et al.).

AUDIO ONLY (MP3)

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