Skepticism - A Tippling Philosopher (Page 3)

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Skepticism

A collection of 159 posts

Onus Books and Loom New Website

I own a publishing house with a skeptical imprint called Onus Books. The fiction imprint Loom, set up with Canadian author and fellow skeptic Rebecca Bradley (whose first book Cadon, Hunter has just been nominated for the Sunburst Award), is a relatively new project. Both are closely affiliated and have

Interview with Dr. Aaron Adair on Biblical History and the Star of Bethlehem

A few years back, I edited a book by Dr. Aaron Adair called The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View. It is a fantastic book that Richard Carrier described in this way: Required Reading on the Subject, December 20, 2013ByRichard C. CarrierThis review is from: The Star of Bethlehem: A

Fascinating Interview with Skeptic, Author and Archaeologist Rebecca Bradley

Canadian author and skeptic, Rebecca Bradley, is a good friend of mine (if friends can be defined as people you have never formerly met, but with whom you work closely over the internet and regularly speak to on facebook). I thought it would be nice to interview her as she

Interview with Dr Caleb Lack

Interview with Dr Caleb Lack

A few years back, I interviewed my friend and former SIN colleague, Dr Caleb Lack. Since then, we have worked together on a number of book projects, and he has recently released a formidable book, getting many plaudits: Critical Thinking, Science, and Pseudoscience: Why We Can't Trust Our

Death Is Not Final Debate - Sean Carroll, Steven Novella vs Eben Alexander, R Moody

Some commenters, on the two threads on Near-Death Experiences, have mentioned Eben Alexander and how good his book is etc. Firstly, they need to read the robust repsonses: Sam Harris - This must be heaven Esquire - The Prophet Why Evolution is True - Eben Alexander’s bogus trip to

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

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

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 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

Critical Thinking, Science, & Pseudoscience - Lack and Rousseau Nail It!

Caleb Lack is a good friend of mine. Indeed, I have published four of his book son the Onus Books imprint. He has just had a superb book published (aimed at the academic market but begging a popular release) that has been highly lauded (including by the likes of Michael

Easter Round-Up: Everything You Need To Skeptically Know About The Resurrection

Being that time of year, let me remind you of some things that I have written on the Resurrection (and death and burial) of Jesus: On the Skepticism of the Resurrection On the Skepticism of the Resurrection (part 2) On the Skepticism of the Resurrection (part 3) On the Skepticism

Biblical Exegesis

On the Skepticism of the Resurrection

Christmas is over, time to get on to Easter. Someone in Malawi is about to have a debate on national TV with a Christian about the Resurrection accounts and I have been asked to help provide some ideas for the debate, so here goes.

"So you love paedophiles, then!" - a conspiracy theorist and fallacies

cognitive biases

"So you love paedophiles, then!" - a conspiracy theorist and fallacies

You need to know a few things before reading this: 1) The BBC got into trouble last year for having a serial paedophile (celebrity DJ and charity man Jimmy Savile) about whom I wrote this post about cognitive dissonance. 2) I went to a Skeptics in the Pub talk last night given by Rob Brotherto

Doug Stanhope on God and Alcoholics Anonymous

Thanks to Sam for this over on another thread. Doug Stanhope has a right go at AA here, and for good reason.

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?

Undercover footage shows what really goes on in a palm reading

Boom. It's almost too cringeworthy to watch. [youtube] [/youtube] Stay in touch! Like A Tippling Philosopher on Facebook: A Tippling Philosopher

Quote of the Week: Ubi Dubium on Christianity in its Own Context

The other day I posted Laura Goans' deconversion account - an interesting read. In the comments thread, Ubi Dubium stated something I found really worthy. The point of this was that you should teach your children other mythical, religious tales and place Christianity in their in the context of

Petition: Make all those who sell psychic services prove that their abilities are real.

If ever there was an official government petition to sign, this is it. The description: Those claiming psychic abilities or the ability to speak with the dead, must prove under proper controlled conditions that they actually possess this ability before they are allowed to charge money for providing such services.

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

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

13 Reasons to Doubt - scientific and philosophical skepticism

13 Reasons to Doubt - scientific and philosophical skepticism

SIN has created its own book which came out in 2014. It's a great collection of essays looking at a whole range of subjects to be skeptical of. For example, Rebecca Bradley deals with "pseudoarcheology", whilst Caleb Lack writes about cognitive biases. Subjects from science denialism to groupthink,

Homeopathy could be blacklisted in the UK

Homeopathy could be blacklisted in the UK

Ministers are considering whether homeopathy should be put on a blacklist of treatments GPs in England are banned from prescribing, the BBC has learned.

burden of proof

Burden of Proof

I was asked by a fellow blogger to write something on the burden of proof. We often hear the maxim "the burden of proof falls upon the person making the claim" or something like that. Why is this the case? Does it stand?

Holidays are coming, holidays are coming

Holidays are coming, holidays are coming

It's that time of the year, my friends! Almost. Anyway, let me try to persuade you to part company with some hard earned cash in support of my projects and books. This is partly a reblog of Caleb Lack's post some time ago over at the superb Great Plains Skeptic here at SIN (so the first part is writ

Star of Bethlehem: Methodological Difficulties

Star of Bethlehem: Methodological Difficulties

Aaron Adair wrote a superb book which I edited called The Star of Bethlehem: A Skeptical View. It is well worth reading, and you will learn a number of gems. I thought I would give you a taste with part of the second chapter detailing methodological difficulties involved with the Gospel of Matthew a