Comments for The Radical Secularist http://theradicalsecularist.com God's Favorite Blogger Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:25:06 +0100 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 Comment on Pundit or Ignoramus? The latest “metaethical” musings of David Brooks by jpm http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=266&cpage=1#comment-375 jpm Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:25:06 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=266#comment-375 Dear Fierce Wolf, Thank you for your comment. Although I agree that there may be some value to be had in having the NYT's cover a conference on moral psychology, I disagree that my criticism is simply a matter of hairsplitting. On the one hand, Brooks grossly misrepresents the subject matter about which he is reporting; on the other hand, his evaluation of the "theory" that he is reporting upon is informed by his gross misunderstanding. Ultimately, there is a question of journalistic integrity, and perhaps a more general ethical question about the value of reliable reporting and expert opinion. As a rule, journalists who report and comment upon scientific research in reputable papers like the NYT have at least some scientific credentials. Brooks, of course, has none, as is evidenced by his Op-ed's. Now, I think I will have that malt... You can find the talks that Brooks fancies himself to be commenting upon here: http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/morality10/morality.haidt.html Dear Fierce Wolf,

Thank you for your comment.

Although I agree that there may be some value to be had in having the NYT’s cover a conference on moral psychology, I disagree that my criticism is simply a matter of hairsplitting. On the one hand, Brooks grossly misrepresents the subject matter about which he is reporting; on the other hand, his evaluation of the “theory” that he is reporting upon is informed by his gross misunderstanding. Ultimately, there is a question of journalistic integrity, and perhaps a more general ethical question about the value of reliable reporting and expert opinion. As a rule, journalists who report and comment upon scientific research in reputable papers like the NYT have at least some scientific credentials. Brooks, of course, has none, as is evidenced by his Op-ed’s. Now, I think I will have that malt…

You can find the talks that Brooks fancies himself to be commenting upon here:
http://www.edge.org/3rd_culture/morality10/morality.haidt.html

]]> Comment on Pundit or Ignoramus? The latest “metaethical” musings of David Brooks by Fierce Wolf http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=266&cpage=1#comment-373 Fierce Wolf Fri, 13 Aug 2010 02:52:06 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=266#comment-373 I just read Brooks' piece and was left with the feeling that this is a typical observational bit of journalism, not a research paper. I'm an atheist (secular humanist, moral naturalist, whatever) too and I was actually pleased to see a NYT op-ed on this subject. In short, I think you're splitting hairs needlessly. Perhaps Brooks is onto something when he writes "These moral faculties rely upon emotional, intuitive processes, for good and ill. If you are in a bad mood you will make harsher moral judgments than if you’re in a good mood..." I recommend a nice single malt to you :-) I just read Brooks’ piece and was left with the feeling that this is a typical observational bit of journalism, not a research paper. I’m an atheist (secular humanist, moral naturalist, whatever) too and I was actually pleased to see a NYT op-ed on this subject. In short, I think you’re splitting hairs needlessly. Perhaps Brooks is onto something when he writes “These moral faculties rely upon emotional, intuitive processes, for good and ill. If you are in a bad mood you will make harsher moral judgments than if you’re in a good mood…” I recommend a nice single malt to you :-)

]]> Comment on Atheism and the Grandmother argument (When gods use grandparents as human shields). by Wordpress Themes http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=196&cpage=1#comment-266 Wordpress Themes Fri, 30 Apr 2010 23:17:45 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=196#comment-266 Genial post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you seeking your information. Genial post and this post helped me alot in my college assignement. Thank you seeking your information.

]]> Comment on Atheism is Never Fundamental Though Religions Always Are. by MOF http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=206&cpage=1#comment-265 MOF Fri, 30 Apr 2010 00:09:16 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=206#comment-265 Brilliant post,I look forward to many more post from you. Brilliant post,I look forward to many more post from you.

]]> Comment on What is a Jewish State? by Millie http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=187&cpage=1#comment-227 Millie Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:58:55 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=187#comment-227 Also, thanks for remembering my community - the Malabar Nazranees (Nasranis) - in your list. We are often forgotten. Also, thanks for remembering my community – the Malabar Nazranees (Nasranis) – in your list. We are often forgotten.

]]> Comment on What is a Jewish State? by Priscy http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=187&cpage=1#comment-226 Priscy Tue, 13 Apr 2010 21:55:56 +0000 http://theradicalsecularist.com/?p=187#comment-226 Well done on the article! I have a question - as of now, are Nazranees (Nasranis) eligible to make Aliyah? Well done on the article! I have a question – as of now, are Nazranees (Nasranis) eligible to make Aliyah?

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