The Question of God

12 - Have We Outgrown God, Or Dawkins?

The four students and their professor have come to their twelfth and last meeting in the coffee shop discussing Richard Dawkins' book Outgrowing God. The topic this time is Dawkins’ response to cosmic fine-tuning, and whether the claim in his book is correct - has our civilisation really outgrown God? Or have we rather outgrown Dawkins' views? Has atheistic naturalism as a worldview become more questionable in the recent years as science discovers more about the cosmos? Thomas, Astrid, Douglas and Hiromi summarize their views after studying Dawkins' book.   The Question of God is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. (All voices performed by A.I.) The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams (www.peterswilliams.com) and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos (www.biocosmos.no) in cooperation with Damaris Norge (www.damaris.no). All rights reserved.

11 - Does Science Point to Atheism?

The topic in this episode is whether science points to atheism or naturalism as the best explanation of the universe. The students touch on the phenomenon of the Big Bang, cosmic fine-tuning, and the idea of a multiverse. Astrid argues that the probability of a life-permitting universe is astronomically low, to put it mildly. What is the difference between a universe coming from nothing and a universe created from nothing? If God created the universe, asks Thomas, where does God come from?   The Question of God is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. (All voices performed by A.I.) The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams (www.peterswilliams.com) and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos (www.biocosmos.no) in cooperation with Damaris Norge (www.damaris.no). All rights reserved.

10 - Evolution and design: How Do They Relate?

How do we recognise design? And how might design relate to evolution? Douglas starts by giving a summary of what Dawkins says about this. Does evidence in the natural world point to design? Douglas and Thomas don't think so, but they back different arguments against the design hypothesis. Hiromi's scepticism against the no design hypothesis is growing. She is interested in biology and brings a lot of information to the discussion, including the concept of irreducible complexity.   The Question of God is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. (All voices performed by A.I.) The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams (www.peterswilliams.com) and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos (www.biocosmos.no) in cooperation with Damaris Norge (www.damaris.no). All rights reserved.

9 - Evolution: What Is It?

What is the concept of evolution about? What is the evidence for it? Dawkins claims in his book that although the world looks designed, it really isn't. He argues for this by pointing to what he considers flaws in the design of biological organisms. Thomas tries to defend this view, but the other students are sceptical. Even Douglas, his fellow atheist, is picking apart this argument. Sophie reminds the students to be aware of the different meanings of the word evolution. Hiromi even introduces a new word to the group: devolution. What on Earth is that?   The Question of God is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. (All voices performed by A.I.) The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams (www.peterswilliams.com) and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos (www.biocosmos.no) in cooperation with Damaris Norge (www.damaris.no). All rights reserved.

8 - Science And Faith: Different Paths to Knowledge?

The students discuss the concepts of science and faith, and the relationship between them. Professor Sophie asks if we can say that science and faith are different paths to knowledge? Does science provide more "certain" knowledge than faith does? Dawkins seems to think so. Hiromi thinks Dawkins reveals a bias against religion. Douglas points out that scientific beliefs are built upon other beliefs, so the "different path" idea is a misunderstanding, he thinks. Douglas thinks the state must be neutral in religious matters. Astrid is not so sure that is possible. Are human rights issues neutral?   The Question of God is a fictional, 12-episode podcast featuring students with different views discussing philosophy, science and belief in God. Podcasts hosted by Sophie Minerva, Professor of Philosophy at NLA University College in Norway. (All voices performed by A.I.) The podcast-series is made by Peter S. Williams (www.peterswilliams.com) and Børge Elliot Bentsen and is adapted from parts of Peter’s book Outgrowing God? A Beginner’s Guide to Richard Dawkins and the God Debate (Cascade 2020). The series is produced and published by BioCosmos (www.biocosmos.no) in cooperation with Damaris Norge (www.damaris.no). All rights reserved.