On Sat, 23 Dec 1995 13:00:46 -0700 (MST) you wrote:
[...]
TM>Richard Dawkins speaks for Richard Dawkins. I agree with some of
>his points, and I disagree with others. He, as anyone else, has a
>right to publish his philosophical views and political views and use
>science to support them - just as any Christian can. Indeed,
>Christians have abused science just as much to support their views.
>I would like to see Dawkins, and others (including Christians) to be
>more specific in the boundary between what science says and their
>religious, philosophical, and political views. Generally, this again
>is mainly a problem for works targeted to popular publications - not
>the real business of science in scientific journals.
[...]
Surely this is too simplistic? In the eyes of the scientific
establishment and the general public, Richard Dawkins not only speaks
for himself, but in a very real sense he speaks for *science*:
"Among modern Darwinists, Dawkins has achieved enormous acclaim for
presenting orthodox neo-Darwinism persuasively Francis Crick has
advised the public, "If you doubt the power of natural selection I
urge you, to save your soul, to read Dawkins' book." In 1990 Dawkins
received the Michael Faraday Award from the British Royal Society as
"the scientist who has done the most to further the public
understanding of science " In 1992 he gave the Royal Institution's
Christmas lectures for young people, televised by the BBC, arguing the
same naturalistic worldview that he presents in The Blind Watchmaker.
I mention these accolades to dispel any illusion that Dawkins's
explicitly naturalistic presentation of Darwinism amounts to a mere
personal philosophy. He certainly is promoting metaphysical
naturalism, but, like his American counterpart Carl Sagan (who
received the Public Welfare Medal in 1994 from the National Academy of
Sciences for his contributions to public education), he does so with
the wholehearted support of the scientific establishment of his
nation." (Johnson P.E., "Reason in the Balance", InterVarsity Press:
Downers Grove Ill., 1995, p76).
Dawkins is now a full Professor at Oxford in the chair of Public
Understanding of Science.
Happy New Year!
Stephen
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