- #1
Kevin_Axion
- 913
- 2
The influential writer and cultural critic Christopher Hitchens died on Thursday at the age of 62 from complications of cancer of the esophagus. Hitchens confronted his disease in part by writing, bringing the same unsparing insight to his mortality that he had directed at so many other subjects.
pergradus said:Who was he?
He was a prominent journalist, author and speaker on current affairs. He was very confrontational and didn't mind who he offended, he was anti-religion, anti-totalitarianism and above all wanted democracy for all.pergradus said:Who was he?
I'd hate to be on the other side of the stage in his debates. That's why I compare his loss to William F. Buckley. Not just quick-witted, but well-informed, thoughtful and insightful. You might agree or disagree with him, but you'd be ill-advised to ignore his reasoning.Greg Bernhardt said:I'll really miss his commentary. I enjoy listening to his debates.
Pythagorean said:R.I.P.
strange... when I type just the above, it forces the i and p lower case. But when I add stuff, it sticks uppercase.
Agree. Courageous man.turbo said:Such a loss. Agree or disagree?
Pythagorean said:R.I.P.
strange... when I type just the above, it forces the i and p lower case. But when I add stuff, it sticks uppercase.
He spoke out strongly against religion and claimed that it was a primary source for hatred in the world.
I liked Buckley and Hitchens mainly because of their styles. They had the 'gift of phrase', so to speak. But I feel sure that that ability also required a lot of concentrated study and thought. I especially liked Hitchens because of his atheism and some of his straightforward and yet eloquent arguments following an assumption of the existence of the Christian God, which make clear, imo, the absurdity of assuming the existence of such an entity in the first place. As well as his statements regarding the self-aggrandizement of the clergy, the hypocrisy and willful ignorance of the 'faithful', and the dangers of considering the pre-Enlightenment dogmas of the church (or mosque or synagogue) as being in any sense off limits to criticism and even ridicule.turbo said:I was so sad at the loss of WFBuckley, not because I could always agree with him, but because I could always consider his point of view and tease out the reasons WHY I might agree or disagree.
humanino said:
Pythagorean said:What's it called when people take a figure of speech literally? I've always wondered this.
Christopher Hitchens was primarily known as a journalist, author, and political commentator, rather than a scientist. However, he did contribute to the field of science through his writings on atheism and religion, particularly in his book "God is Not Great: How Religion Poisons Everything". He also frequently debated with scientists on topics such as evolution and scientific morality.
Hitchens was a staunch atheist and often criticized religion for its impact on science and reason. He believed that religious beliefs and dogma often hindered scientific progress and promoted ignorance and superstition.
Hitchens' death was a loss for the scientific and intellectual community, as he was known for his sharp wit, eloquence, and rational thinking. He was a passionate advocate for critical thinking and reason, and his absence is still felt in discussions about science, religion, and politics.
Although Hitchens was not a scientist himself, his writings and debates on science and religion have left an impact on the scientific community. He challenged traditional beliefs and encouraged people to question authority and think critically, which are important values in science.
Hitchens' life and work serve as a reminder to always question and challenge beliefs, and to use reason and evidence to guide our understanding of the world. He also showed the importance of open-mindedness and intellectual honesty in the pursuit of knowledge, including in the field of science.