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Dawkins seems to be a good example of the Peter principle at work in a large social movement. Clearly he's a smart guy and at some point in his career he did ha
by wsxcde 12y ago
Dawkins seems to be a good example of the Peter principle at work in a large social movement. Clearly he's a smart guy and at some point in his career he did have interesting and original insights to share with the rest of us.
But it seems like the new atheists [1] have elevated (promoted) him into near demigod status and he's now being socially pressured into producing new and original insight on a regular basis. Unfortunately for him, he doesn't have an infinite well of wisdom and insight and so he ends up producing drivel of this sort.
[1] I am a new atheist and some of blame for what has happened here probably falls at my feet as well.
- lclarkmichalek 12y agoThis image comes up pretty commonly on r/badphilosphy when something he says (or drama surrounding something he says) is discussed: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpXAZGuCMAA21xA.jpg https://pbs.twimg.com/media/BpXAZGuCMAA21xA.jpg I wouldn't go quite so far as to absolve him for his opinions due to social pressure, but there is truth in what you say.
- wsxcde 12y agoI'm not absolving him of his opinions by any means. I was just pointing out that he's been elevated to this status where he can't (won't? is unwilling to?) do what most other reasonable people would have done if they were asked this question. He could've just said, "that's a really interesting question and I don't have an answer" but instead it appears he's compelled to answer with a lot of verbiage and little actual content.