Summary: A philosophy professor?s controversial new book challenges the religious community to challenge itself. Then, personal finance guru Jane Bryant Quinn focuses on smart and simple ways to keep track of investments without spending hours doing it.
Daniel Dennett is one of the great thinkers of our time. Unafraid to confront controversial issues, this self-professed "bright" asks difficult but important questions. His latest book "Breaking the Spell" takes on the tricky topic of organized religions. How much responsibility must moderates take for the extremist factions in their faiths? Do so-called believers really believe what they say? Why should religion be part of all school curriculums? Is there no connection between spirituality and morality? Whether surprized, angered or intrigued by his views, I don't think anyone will be bored by this down-to-earth philosopher.
Perhaps I should add that I had the honor about 20 years ago of not only meeting Dennett, but playing him in a Dutch doco-drama based on part of his 1978 book Brainstorms. The mental state of the world may have deteriorated since then, but Dennett's probing mind is still razor sharp.
The second half of the program featured finance-guru Jane Bryant Quinn, a lively and engaging speaker. But having no interest in that topic, and my head still full of Dennett's ideas, I can't really comment on the content. But in both segments, interviewer Mike Cuthbert seems to ask all the right questions for this interview-format type of program.
Comments for Daniel Dennett and Matters of Faith
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David Swatling
Posted on March 28, 2006 at 01:16 AM | Permalink
Review of Daniel Dennett and Matters of Faith
Daniel Dennett is one of the great thinkers of our time. Unafraid to confront controversial issues, this self-professed "bright" asks difficult but important questions. His latest book "Breaking the Spell" takes on the tricky topic of organized religions. How much responsibility must moderates take for the extremist factions in their faiths? Do so-called believers really believe what they say? Why should religion be part of all school curriculums? Is there no connection between spirituality and morality? Whether surprized, angered or intrigued by his views, I don't think anyone will be bored by this down-to-earth philosopher.
Perhaps I should add that I had the honor about 20 years ago of not only meeting Dennett, but playing him in a Dutch doco-drama based on part of his 1978 book Brainstorms. The mental state of the world may have deteriorated since then, but Dennett's probing mind is still razor sharp.
The second half of the program featured finance-guru Jane Bryant Quinn, a lively and engaging speaker. But having no interest in that topic, and my head still full of Dennett's ideas, I can't really comment on the content. But in both segments, interviewer Mike Cuthbert seems to ask all the right questions for this interview-format type of program.