In his blog "Why Evolution Is True," Jerry Coyne, professor of evolutionary genetics at the University of Chicago, writes this response
https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/nonbelievers-respond-to-david-brooks-dont-tell-us-how-to-do-secularism/
to David Brooks' column "Building Better Secularists."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/opinion/david-brooks-building-better-secularists.html?_r=0
I understand the vehemence of Coyne's anger at Brooks, but I don't think Brooks is worth it. As I said in my previous post, I don't respect Brooks enough to be angry with him. I can only reflect on where he's coming from and why.
Coyne says that "awe and emotions... before things like science, music, art--and cats!" are spirituality enough for him.
I agree completely. Awe before the night sky, the sunset, Mozart's Requiem--these are primal human experiences, whether or not one takes them a step further as the beginning of spiritual connection to God. A baby's birth and grief over our own actions or over death are additional experiences that touch our core.
Apparently Brooks' talk of emotion as a means to moral action and his idea of "enchanted secularism" are offensive to a plain-and-simple atheist or agnostic.
Perhaps the core issue here is respect. All the secularists are asking for is respect, and Brooks cannot give that without admonishing and embellishing.
https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2015/02/06/nonbelievers-respond-to-david-brooks-dont-tell-us-how-to-do-secularism/
to David Brooks' column "Building Better Secularists."
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/02/03/opinion/david-brooks-building-better-secularists.html?_r=0
Coyne writes:
My response to the call for an "enchanted secularism" is this:
Dear Mr. Brooks,
We're doing great, thank you. We don't need more stinking spirituality: the awe and emotions we feel now before things like science, music, art—and cats!—are just fine. And a good meal with friends and wine, combined with some activities that help others, go a long way toward establishing our sense of community.
Yours,
The secularists of America
We're doing great, thank you. We don't need more stinking spirituality: the awe and emotions we feel now before things like science, music, art—and cats!—are just fine. And a good meal with friends and wine, combined with some activities that help others, go a long way toward establishing our sense of community.
Yours,
The secularists of America
I understand the vehemence of Coyne's anger at Brooks, but I don't think Brooks is worth it. As I said in my previous post, I don't respect Brooks enough to be angry with him. I can only reflect on where he's coming from and why.
Coyne says that "awe and emotions... before things like science, music, art--and cats!" are spirituality enough for him.
I agree completely. Awe before the night sky, the sunset, Mozart's Requiem--these are primal human experiences, whether or not one takes them a step further as the beginning of spiritual connection to God. A baby's birth and grief over our own actions or over death are additional experiences that touch our core.
Apparently Brooks' talk of emotion as a means to moral action and his idea of "enchanted secularism" are offensive to a plain-and-simple atheist or agnostic.
Perhaps the core issue here is respect. All the secularists are asking for is respect, and Brooks cannot give that without admonishing and embellishing.
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