tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post1814720273551222761..comments2023-09-30T06:42:31.235-07:00Comments on Advocatus Atheist: Evaluating Sources: Can You Back that Claim Up?Tristan Vickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.comBlogger8125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-78942667186447020692010-04-21T07:17:43.619-07:002010-04-21T07:17:43.619-07:00Vox Day should just keep on building videogames. W...Vox Day should just keep on building videogames. When he opens his mouth, the human race regresses at the speed of lightning.tinkbell13https://www.blogger.com/profile/03322413631736929191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-38816393960825363832010-04-20T16:47:14.139-07:002010-04-20T16:47:14.139-07:00JD-
I don't quite follow your point. Vox Day ...JD-<br /><br />I don't quite follow your point. Vox Day has his own numerous and multifarious errors which make his own assertions baseless as well.<br /><br />However, if you mean to say that Christopher Hitchens lacks good citations in his books, then I am forced to agree. He has the weakest sources of any intellectual writer I know, and it continually frustrates me, because although I might be able to catch the reference in passing, many readers won't have the judiciousness, time, or luxury to do so.<br /><br />So I feel Christopher Hitchens reporting style, since he is a journalist after all, should stay with the periodical format and he should write with a more scholarly approach. But that's just me nitpicking. I'm not questioning the man's intellectual merits, just his laziness when it comes to citing his sources.<br /><br />But if I can say this about Christopher Hitchens, a favorite atheist advocate of mine, imagine how I might scrutinize Vox Day. Alas, I won't, mainly because I would find it a major waste of time to even do so, which is to say, I can find better ways to spend my time.Tristan Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-6285791838209257292010-04-20T13:06:33.733-07:002010-04-20T13:06:33.733-07:00Given that Vox Day has catalogued 51 factual error...Given that Vox Day has catalogued 51 factual errors, logical errors and completely baseless assertions by Christopher Hitchins in <i>God is not Great</i>, can we now throw that complete waste of paper out the window now?J Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12746127431922685446noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-36186639170362426242010-04-19T19:22:42.101-07:002010-04-19T19:22:42.101-07:00Actually, Feeno, you may have illuminated somethin...Actually, Feeno, you may have illuminated something for me here. Perhaps the reason why so many religious people deny evolution, or do not accept evolution is because its not accessible to people. Perhaps, there needs to be publications out there that make evolutionary biology more easy to understand. Thank you, I may be able to understand that. If you need any questions answered, please ask. I may be able to answer it, if I cant, I am sure that Tristan will be able too.tinkbell13https://www.blogger.com/profile/03322413631736929191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-1757161111937342702010-04-19T08:45:52.405-07:002010-04-19T08:45:52.405-07:00Actually, Tristan, I agree with you. However, I wa...Actually, Tristan, I agree with you. However, I was saying that more for a guideline for the "layperson" to abide by. Most people have never read actual research studies, let alone know where to find them. And, most people do not even know what academic journals are the most innovative, credible, or groundbreaking in terms of findings. Its a good place to start, when schools like Harvard, Princeton, University of Toronto, Cambridge, or NYU support your work. That was all that I was getting at.<br /><br />And, for people without this type of filter, there are many people out there who use a DR title without actual publication. Evangelical publications are ripe with people using the title after having completed a theology study (Dr. Jerry Newcombe for example). They lead people away with the ruse of academic achievement. Reputable schools do not have these fools attached to them.tinkbell13https://www.blogger.com/profile/03322413631736929191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-56673786829105270922010-04-18T21:11:11.801-07:002010-04-18T21:11:11.801-07:00Feeno-
I had to read about 5 books on evolutionar...Feeno-<br /><br />I had to read about 5 books on evolutionary biology before I could grasp the lingo. But that said, I had to read like 20 books on physics before I even had a clue of what they were talking about.<br /><br />So just know that everybody starts from the ground and works their way up.<br /><br />Anyway, I think in public discourse we are seeing a trend which moves away from scientific understanding.<br /><br />The British Philosopher A.C. Grayling has stated:<br /><br />"As science has become increasingly more specialized and complex, so the public mind in general has become increasingly less acquainted with it, and therefore correspondingly less able to participate in informed conversations about the implications, applications, promises, possibilities--and periodic risks--of science."<br /><br />I fully agree with his observation. Meanwhile, I feel religious types often times place themselves under the handicap of legalistic doctrine which won't allow them to approach the scientific material without preconceived biases. And this side effect of religion only detracts from their objectivity and makes the problem worse.<br /><br />So I hope you continue you investigation into evolutionary theory! It's quite fascinating once you start to get what's going on.<br /><br />Tink-<br /><br />I actually left the "name" of the school off on purpose. After having a long discussion with my friend from Oxford, we decided that the names of the schools aren't as important as the quality of education you get. <br /><br />But I could see how you might worry that some Joe-schmoe pretending to have a PhD actually got his degree on an online Theological school. I'd discount this degree entirely, but there are some accredited online degrees.<br /><br />At any rate, what I am suggesting is the name isn't so important as the fact of whether it's a fully accredited learning institution or not.Tristan Vickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05348780254008374268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-65619362052235562172010-04-18T20:01:30.364-07:002010-04-18T20:01:30.364-07:00Feeno...
We have all been there. Evolution and ev...Feeno...<br /><br />We have all been there. Evolution and evolutionary biology can be difficult content. Especially if you are not famaliar with the terminology. Tough it out, I will only make you a more balanced and informed person.<br /><br />I think that Tristan has provided a really solid article in understanding the validity of sources. One thing that I might add is to check to see what academic institution is sponsoring the author or publication.tinkbell13https://www.blogger.com/profile/03322413631736929191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6045470200571732417.post-42363945150233547622010-04-18T19:46:16.827-07:002010-04-18T19:46:16.827-07:00People just need to choose their battles better. I...People just need to choose their battles better. If I were to argue with you over science or evolution it would be like the guy who brings a knife to a gun fight. T-Vick is holding a bazooka and feeno is pulling out his pocket knife.<br /><br />I have been trying to learn more in those areas, but am having a hard time grasping it all. <br /><br />Here's the problem with evaluating our sources tho. We are looking for answers of those who will agree with us. And looking to "debunk" the other guy. And should we exclude sources that are pimping an idea or those that have an agenda? And finally do we just choose to go with the source that has passed the tests of those experts critiquing it?<br /><br />Nice work, feenofeenohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07483769284197614547noreply@blogger.com