Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Structure of the Chapter: brief intro 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality the methods of modern science 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self autonomous and responsible selfhood 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies American pragmatism; atheistic existentialism

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Structure of the Chapter: brief intro Skepticism -- as old as 5th century BCE Confucius, e.g ? BCE Epicurus BCE

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Structure of the Chapter: brief intro Skepticism -- as old as 5th century BCE a.Usually a minority position b. Skepticism about OLD ways not always unreligious

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Structure of the Chapter: brief intro Skepticism -- as old as 5th century BCE Usually a minority position Skepticism about OLD ways not always unreligious Nonetheless....

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Early Attacks on Traditional Religion: “religion is not just wrong but harmful” -- authoritarian; an obstacle to science and free speech

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Early Attacks on Traditional Religion: “religion is not just wrong but harmful” --supports harmful superstitions like belief in witches or demons. During the centuries of witchhunts, an estimated 60,000 people were burned or hanged as witches.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Early Attacks on Traditional Religion: “religion is not just wrong but harmful” -- otherworldly disregard for suffering on earth -- pessimism about progress; against “worldliness”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Early Attacks on Traditional Religion: “religion is not just wrong but harmful” -- undercuts rationality by legitimizing belief in improbable things, without adequate evidence

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Early Attacks on Traditional Religion: “religion is not just wrong but harmful” religion is a source of tension and intolerance religions cause wars A child dying in Sudan in 2000, because of ongoing war between Muslim north and the animist /Christian south Ian Paisley & Jerry Adams Vajpayee, BJP P.M. (pro-Hindutva)

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Test all theories against empirical evidence.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Test all theories against empirical evidence. Doubt and test -- but: Early modern science became dogmatic.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Test all theories against empirical evidence. Doubt and test -- but: Early modern science became dogmatic, and overconfident.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Test all theories against empirical evidence. Doubt and test -- but: Early modern science became dogmatic, and overconfident, and reductionistic.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Reductionism. Thought can be reduced to brain activity. Brain activity is just chemical activity. Chemical activity is just physical activity Physical activity is just matter in motion. Reduce spirit/thought to moving matter.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality The End of Dogmatism in Science: all theories are interpretations of reality. Well-tested theories = “so far, so good.”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality The End of Dogmatism in Science: all theories are interpretations of reality. Well-tested theories = “so far, so good.” Basic test = for “fit” -- with the evidence, with other theories.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality The End of Dogmatism in Science: all theories are interpretations of reality. x Ques: where have you seen this test of “fit” before? Method of science is the everyday method of “fit.”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Traditional societies follow authority of the past. folktales, myths, customs Yawalipiti tribe, Central Brazil, far south part of the Amazon basin.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Traditional societies follow authority of the past. folktales, myths, customs Historic societies follow authority of reason -- systematically coherent ideas. Confucius Aristotle Shankara Maimonides Hegel

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Traditional societies follow authority of the past. folktales, myths, customs Historic societies follow authority of reason -- systematically coherent ideas. Science follows authority of the method of “fit.”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality Science follows authority of the method of “fit” -- with the best evidence & with other theories. Must be done “publicly” over time. Publicly = publication. Enforces “honesty.”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Science follows authority of the method of “fit.” Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. 1. Faith in previous scientific work? Yes. But this is tested by application of the results

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. 1. Faith in previous scientific work? Yes. But this is tested by application of the results 2. Faith that the world exists? Yes. Alternative?

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. 1. Faith in previous scientific work? Yes. But this is tested by application of the results 2. Faith that the world exists? Yes. -- Alternative? 3. Faith that the world is intelligible? Yes. But this has been tested by application also.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. 1. Faith in previous scientific work? Yes. But this is tested by application of the results 2. Faith that the world exists? Yes. -- Alternative? 3. Faith that the world is intelligible? Yes. But this has been tested by application also. 4. Faith in the criteria of reasonableness -- “Fit”? Yes. But this is the everyday method of life.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. Summary: the “faith” of science is based on thorough and continuing evidence.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Is Science Based on Faith? -- yes and no. Summary: the “faith” of science is based on thorough and continuing evidence. [Counter-argument: how do you know that reliance on evidence is valid? Counter-counter argument: alternative?]

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Recall: science recognizes no authority except adequate testing and good evidence.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x Recall: science recognizes no authority except adequate testing and good evidence. The tester = producer of knowledge.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x The tester = producer of knowledge, and is responsible for validating truth-claims.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self The tester = producer of knowledge, and is responsible for validating truth-claims.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self Science is a social process (publication; peer review).

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self Science is a social process (publication; peer review). In principle any person can doubt and challenge, and take responsibility.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x In principle any person can doubt and challenge, and take responsibility. Ideal: autonomous selfhood.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- the person who accepts responsibility for the person’s own truth-claims, morals, and actions.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- the person who accepts responsibility for the person’s own truth-claims, morals, and actions. Ques: which of the 4 types of morality? Taboo... ? Etc.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- Not the taboo moralist, who cares only about any effects on self.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- Not the allegiance moralist, who wants the community to tell him or her what to do.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- Not the universal laws moralist, who wants objective laws to tell him or her what to do.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- BVM moralist -- accepting full responsibility for consequences of his or her choices.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- Inner freedom of choice, to reflect on possible outcomes, to evaluate those outcomes, and then consciously choose.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Ideal: autonomous selfhood -- Inner freedom of choice. This differs from “freedom” to act unthinkingly.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self x Inner freedom of choice, which differs from “freedom” to act unthinkingly -- i.e., captive to impulses, habit, social customs, etc.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self Inner Freedom of Choice vs Impulsive choices/act IDENTIFY EXAMPLES OF EACH

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self Inner Freedom of Choice: “authentic human existence” (Sartre – more to come on him)

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self Inner Freedom of Choice: “authentic human existence” x Dangerous notion -- in hands of the taboo moralist.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies Dewey Sartre

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality x 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism. Dewey Sartre

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism John Dewey Modest in knowledge claims -- what science makes probable. Be agnostic about ultimates Humanism as both goal & means (American Humanist Assoc. Ethical Culture Society, etc.)

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism Science shows us an aimless, purposeless universe. But we need a purpose – otherwise we too are aimless. So our situation is absurd

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism Our situation is absurd: we ex-ist i.e., we stand-out from all else. In this mindless universe and among all life forms, We alone are self-aware, in need of conscious purpose

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism But ultimately there is no purpose to anything. So – how shall we live?

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism But ultimately there is no purpose to anything. So – how shall we live? Courageously -- defending authentic existence

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies a. John Dewey’s American Pragmatism b. Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism But ultimately there is no purpose to anything, including us. So – how shall we live? Small groups: evaluate Sartre

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies Jean Paul Sartre’s atheistic existentialism: ultimately there is no purpose to anything, including us. THE DEEPEST CHALLENGE TO BASIC FAITH

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms THE DEEPEST CHALLENGE TO BASIC FAITH -- What, ultimately, is the purpose of even a life lived with miracles, a helpful God, and a hope for paradise.

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms THE DEEPEST CHALLENGE TO BASIC FAITH -- What, ultimately, is the purpose of even a life lived with miracles, a helpful God, and a hope for paradise? This question = another instance of the human mind’s “capacity for the infinite.”

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms THE DEEPEST CHALLENGE TO BASIC FAITH -- What, ultimately, is the purpose of even a life lived with miracles, a helpful God, and a hope for paradise. Answer: I’ll try paradise for a billion years first, then worry about this challenge -- ?

Chapter 13. Life without Religion 20th Century Skeptical Humanisms Review: Structure of the Chapter: brief intro 1. Early Attacks on Traditional Religion 2. A New Way of Understanding Reality the methods of modern science 3. A New Way of Understanding the Self autonomous and responsible selfhood 4. Two Skeptical Philosophies American pragmatism; atheistic existentialism END OF CH. 13