The importance of the other side
I recently caught the videos of the Richard Dawkins Foundation’s “The Four Horsemen” on YouTube. At some point, I may embed all of them, but I thought that this exchange between Dawkins and Hitchens was amazingly insightful.
Hitchens – A question I wanted to ask is this, we should ask ourselves what our real objective is. Do we, in fact, wish to see a world without faith. I think I would have to say that I don’t. I don’t either expect to, or wish to see that.
I don’t think it is possible, it replicates so fast, faith, as often as it is cut down or superseded, or discredited. It replicates, extraordinarily fast, I think for Freudian reasons. Principally due to the fear of extinction.
The other thing is, would I want this argument to come to an end? With all having conceded that Hitchens really won that round, and now nobody in the world believes in god. Now apart from being unable to picture this, I am not completely certain that it is what I want. I think it is, rather, to be considered the foundation of all arguments about epistemology, philosophy, its the thing that you have to always be arguing against.
Dawkins – I understand that you’re saying that it will never work, but I don’t understand why you wouldn’t wish it.
Hitchens – I think a bit like the argument between Huxley and Wilberforce, or Darrow and William Jennings Bryant. I want it to go on.
Dawkins – Because it is interesting?
Hitchens – I want our side to get more refined and theirs to be more exposed, but I can’t see it with one hand clapping.
I have to say, my appreciation of Hitchens is growing with every encounter. Buy the DVD here, and watch the exchange here: