science

A collection of 401 posts

John W. Loftus

I've a Chapter on Free Will in Loftus' Excellent New Anthology

John Loftus has another superb-looking anthology coming out, and I am proud to have written what I think (obviously) is a really good chapter on free will. It documents both the philosophy and science undermining libertarian free will (LFW),  and shows how this affects Christian belief. I also look at

evolution

Meaning & Purpose Concerning Animals, Including Humans

The big mistake made so often by both religious, and often non-religious, is that somehow we are a special animal. A not-really-an-animal animal. But we are not. Special, that is. Okay, so we're special in that we are top of the class. We can do some seriously cool

science

Dead could be brought 'back to life' in groundbreaking stem cell project

In honour of my new zombie book released this month, and which you should all rush out a grab now (obviously), I thought this fascinating piece of news might be worth mentioning. IFL Science reports: A biotech company in the U.S. has been granted ethical permission by an Institutional

Naturalism

The Science of Near-Death Experiences (part 2)

Yesterday, I introduced the topic of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs), and today I will talk about naturalistic, scientific explanations for such phenomena. The problem with scientific explanations and hypotheses for such phenomena is that they aren't as fun and exciting as some funky spiritual world operating in parallel, or

Consciousness

The Science of Near-Death Experiences (part 1)

As a skeptic, certain ideas and associated names often come up. Near-Death Experiences (NDEs) are one such phenomenon, and accompanying names and pieces include the 2014 movie Heaven Is for Real (the book it was based on has sold some 10 million copies and spent 206 weeks on the New

Biology

Bright flash of light marks incredible moment life begins when sperm meets egg

The Telegraph reports on this fascinating finding: Human life begins in bright flash of light as a sperm meets an egg, scientists have shown for the first time, after capturing the astonishing ‘fireworks’ on film. An explosion of tiny sparks erupts from the egg at the exact moment of conception.

genetics

First happiness genes have been located: Genetic overlap between happiness, depression discovered

This information is released by Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam: For the first time in history, researchers have isolated the parts of the human genome that could explain the differences in how humans experience happiness. These are the findings of a large-scale international study in over 298,000 people, conducted by VU

BHA

Private religious school failed by Ofsted for teaching young earth creationism as science

This, from the BHA: In news that could have wide implications for the teaching of creationism in private schools, an independent religious school in London has been criticised by Ofsted for having a policy which ‘promotes the teaching of incorrect content’ on evolution and creationism, and told that it does

evidence

Debating Homeopathy, and Water Not Remembering Urine and Faeces and Disease

There appears to be a bit of a debate gearing up over at this thread on homeopathy and its effectiveness. Check it out and get involved, in the name of evidence-based rationality. All I can say is that pro-homeopathic people tend to have rather interesting special pleading for the ability

homeopathy

Homeopathy Now Consigned to Dustbin of Ideas. Officially.

Well, if officially means by anyone with a brain who can use, analyse and reflect on empirical data. An Australian meta-study has looked at 1800 studies, and has concluded that the quackery that is homeopathy is bullsh*t. No surprise. But it's good to have such robust data

evolution

Quote of the Day (not in a good way) - GoodScienceFYou

Today there was an ...interesting comment by GoodScienceFYou, who appears to be a Jehovah's Witness. It was, unsurprisingly, about blood transfusions. JWs are against them, and so seeing the post hoc rationalisation of such is ...interesting. Here is what he had to say. I will start with a

psychology

Study Calling Out Psychology Studies Is Itself Called Out!

You may remember recently that the world of academic psychology was called properly into question. One of the main findings dealt with was whether many psych studies are repeatable. A study that is reproduced (called replications) to get the same or similar results is more robust. Single studies may just

climate change

Obama on Trump, Science, Reason and World Leaders

This is a seriously good and interesting speech. This is why Obama is a good leader for the US. He is so well respected around the world. Heck, I was in the Hampshire Schools Library Service today and emblazoned, as you walk in, was an awesome Obama quote. Could you

Darwin

Which Badge Do I Choose?

This blog is about the important issues underlying reality. So, my fellow unbelievers, which badge do I choose for the back of my car? Do you have any other suggestions?

Creationism

Why Specificity In Intelligent Design Is Useless - Guest Post by Smilodon's Retreat

Here is a guest post from a friend of mine from my days of blogging at the Skeptic Ink Network. I thought it would be apt given the huge discussion going on here, and some other discussions involving evolution and Creationism here at ATP. Thanks to Smilodon's Retreat

determinism

Deterministic Bohmian Interpretation of Quantum Back in the Game

For those determinists out there, the Copenhagen Interpretation of quantum mechanics has often been seen as a thorn in the side. Actually, over recent years, certain more deterministic interpretations have found more favour. However, not many people were expecting the one of the godfathers of quantum physics to make a

Creationism

Intelligent Design Is Creationism, Just Not Biblical (Or Young Earth) Creationism

This excellent synopsis of the position of Creationists and the Discovery Institute is the work of a commenter from some time back on my previous blog, Richard Edwards, an evolutionary biologist from down the road from me in Hampshire, UK who has since moved to Australia. Visit his blog here.

BBC

Creationist Dan Walker Appointed as BBC Breakfast Presenter

Oh deary me. I love the BBC, and I love BBC breakfast, and I love outgoing stalwart presenter Bill Turnbull. I have no time for Creationists, and I think they are dangerous, certainly as objective reporters who need to report on science and religion. So the news that Dan Walker

Catholic Church

Catholic Archdiocese: Don't Use Birth Control to Combat Zika Virus...

Yup, you knew it would happen. And like clockwork, it did. Birth control and abortions have been put off limits in advice from the Catholic church in the face of the advancing issues of the Zika virus. As the Daily Mail reports: Reverend Luciano Brito, a spokesman for the Catholic

Cosmology

NASA opens Planetary Defense Office to protect earth from asteroids

I was wondering whether such an office or team existed only the other day. And then came across this at Space.com: NASA has announced the creation of a Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO). Lindley Johnson, NASA's current near-Earth object (NEO) program executive will lead the newly established

Creationism

CofE school headteacher ridiculed after claiming evolution is only a theory & there is 'more evidence' Bible is true

Oh dear. Yet again the "just a theory" trope raises its ugly head. This is such a common issue that it featured predominantly in my chapter on evolution in The Little Book Of Unholy Questions. The Daily Mail reports: A Church of England primary school headteacher has been

evolution

Return of Kings Neomasculinists Philosophically Refuted

You may or may not have heard about the pro-male group "Return of Kings". They have hit the news several times recently. I first heard about them when they kicked up a fuss about the new Star Wars film on account of the ethnic and gender diversity it

conspiracy theories

I Argued with a Creationist, Flat Earther Conspiracy Theorist - They Exist!

I couldn't believe it. This happened a few weeks ago at my "God on Trial" talk in Bournemouth at the Bournemouth Skeptics in the Pub. Half way through the talk, for some reason, evolution was challeneged. The whole talk almost got derailed as I took the

Skepticism

CFI / RDFRS Due to Merge

Two established organisations and players on the skeptical field, the Center for Inquiry and the Ruchard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science, are due to merge. You may have heard this alread, but it was something I only found out about today, thanks to Damion Reinhardt's good synopsis

catholicism

Judge sides with Catholic hospital over contraceptive healthcare

This is a bit of a blow for progressive rights. Ack. This comes from the Guardian on Thursday: The California hospital cited ‘ethical and religious directives’ and refused to allow a doctor to tie the woman’s tubes immediately following childbirth A San Francisco judge on Thursday refused to order