File 029234
Email Chain: Krauss, Chomsky, and Epstein Discuss Atheism Article (File 029234)
September 2015 email correspondence between Lawrence Krauss, Noam Chomsky, and Jeffrey Epstein discussing a New Yorker article about militant atheism and responses to religious dogma and secular fanaticism.
Summary
Lawrence Krauss shares a New Yorker article titled 'All Scientists Should Be Militant Atheists' with Noam Chomsky and Jeffrey Epstein for discussion. Chomsky responds with a nuanced critique, arguing that secular dogmas and nationalism are more dangerous than religious ones, and advocates for responding to irrational belief with evidence and argument rather than ridicule. The exchange reflects intellectual discourse among the three men on topics of science, rationalism, and confronting dogma.
From: jeffrey E. [jeeyacation@gmail.com]Sent: 9/18/2015 4:08:16 PMTo: Lawrence KraussSubject:Re: an article you may both hate. or like.Importance: Highyou can invite depp to visit us when you are in the caribeanOn Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 4:10 PM, Lawrence Krauss < wrote:Ps. My piece argued against fanaticism.Lawrence M. KraussDirector, The Origins Project at ASUFoundation ProfessorSchool of Earth & Space Exploration and Physics DepartmentArizona State University, P.O. Box 871404, Tempe, AZ 85287-1404Research Office ______________ AssistantOrigins Office______________________krauss@asu.eduorigins.asu.edu I twitter.com/Ikraussl I krauss.faculty.asu.eduSent from my iPhoneOn Sep 10, 2015, at 12:02 PM, jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> wrote:I think religion plays a major positive role in many lives. . i dont like fanaticism on either side. . sorryOn Thu, Sep 10, 2015 at 7:52 PM, Noam Chomsky AMMIIMMIE> wrote:Thanks for sending. A wide area of agreement, but not total.On confronting dogma, I of course agree — though in my opinion the secular religions — nationalist fanaticism, etc. —are much more dangerous. And if some find rational discussion offensive — as, for example, mainstream academicsfind dismantling myths of "American exceptionalism" or "Israeli self-defense" or Obama's mass murder campaign,etc., offensive — so be it.But I don't see why that should extend to ridicule. That includes astrologists. Astronomers can refute astrology, whilerecognizing that perfectly honest and deluded people may believe it and should be treated with respect, while theirbeliefs are confronted with evidence. I also don't see why we should ridicule religious dogma, just as I don't think weshould ridicule the much more pernicious secular dogmas. Rather, we should respond to irrational belief withargument and evidence, while recognizing that their advocates (like most of the intellectual world in the case ofsecular dogma) are people who we should be responding to but without ridiculing them. It may be hardsometimes. For example, when the icon and founding father of sober non-sentimental Realism in International Affairsinforms us that the US, unlike other countries, has a "transcendental purpose," and the fact that it constantly acts incontradiction to its purpose doesn't matter because the facts are just "abuse of history" while real history is "theevidence of history as our minds reflect it," then it's hard to avoid ridicule. But we should. There's no point ridiculingHOUSE OVERSIGHT 029234virtually the entire IR profession and the major journals, even though such extraordinary irrationality leads to majorhuman disasters.On Davis, I frankly think that's a non-issue. If she decides she cannot do her job as the conditions of employmentrequire (including following the law), then she can quit and look for another job. As in any other such case.NoamFrom: Lawrence Krauss [mailto:Sent: Thursday, September 10, 2015 1:51 AMTo: Noam Chomsky <__________________________>; jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com>Subject: an article you may both hate. or like.hope all is well.Lawrencehttp://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/all-scientists-should-be-militant-atheistsLawrence M. KraussDirector, The Origins Project at ASUCo-Director, Cosmology InitiativeFoundation ProfessorSchool of Earth & Space Exploration and Physics DepartmentArizona State University, P.O. Box 871404, Tempe, AZ 85287-1404Research Office AssistantOrigins Officekrauss@asu.eduorigins.asu.edu I twitter.com/Ikraussl I krauss.faculty.asu.eduplease noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofHOUSE OVERSIGHT 029235JEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedplease noteThe information contained in this communication isconfidential, may be attorney-client privileged, mayconstitute inside information, and is intended only forthe use of the addressee. It is the property ofJEEUnauthorized use, disclosure or copying of thiscommunication or any part thereof is strictly prohibitedand may be unlawful. If you have received thiscommunication in error, please notify us immediately byreturn e-mail or by e-mail to jeevacation@gmail.com, anddestroy this communication and all copies thereof,including all attachments. copyright -all rights reservedHOUSE OVERSIGHT 029236