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To some people, Richard Dawkins is threatening. His phrases pry open shut minds. His words bend and flex rigid thinking. His ideas trash dearly held dogmas. And, of course, he idolizes The Devil's Chaplain - Charles Darwin [the title is from a letter of Darwin's]. He performs all these feats with a graceful style - one which anyone writing science should study. This collection is comprised of letters, book reviews and even eulogies - an unusual vehicle for espousing the cause of rational thinking. If much of his writing seems intense, it's because he recognizes his role in waging an uphill battle against "established truths", no matter how false they prove. To show the validity of truth over myth requires a direct approach. Dawkins recognizes that people abhor being called animals. The continuity of life, one of the major themes in this collection, remains an indisputable fact, he stresses. This series reinforces Dawkins' attempts to make us aware that we are part of Nature. He is always witty, using his sound scientific basis and rationale to keep us informed. Science, in his view, must not be eroded by baseless tradition nor false dogmas. The goal of living, he argues, is the understanding of life itself. Religion and philosophy have failed abysmally, the realm of science should be given its opportunity. It's a broad view, sustained by an ability to grasp it firmly. Better yet, for us, it's presented here with verve and dedication. Segregated into [lucky!] seven sections, each addressing a general theme. He covers many topics in this anthology - evolution, of course, but medicine, genetically modified foods [many foods are hybrids resulting from genetic manipulation], jury trials, intellectual heresies, and even government policies are included.Read more ›
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43 of 46 people found the following review helpful
One of the most engaging books I have ever read. More gripping than any thriller, you will not sleep untill you have read every single page. Covering many subjects from ethics to religion, the champion of atheism, Richard Dawkins, elegantly presents his arguments and views, backing them up with clear observable evidence that leaves you thinking - why didn't I realise that. Many theologans and theists visciously attack his work, but after reading some of their 'high-minded' and 'ritcheous' books, it is clear who is right.
Dawkins does not attack the act of believing, merely renders it illogical. He does not blame religious people, but just accepts that different people have different opinions, and wishes that extreemist would realise this too.
I have spent hours mulling over what is in this book with my peers and I urge people to read this book with an open mind. Some say you can't change a mind entrenched, but such a deeply thought provoking book is well worth a read. This publication provokes debate, and that is what makes it great.
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27 of 29 people found the following review helpful
By
Donald MitchellHALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE VOICE on 9 Jun. 2004
Format: Hardcover
If you only read one book by Professor Richard Dawkins, I recommend The Selfish Gene. That book is a remarkable tour de force covering the latest thinking about how evolution really works by taking into account our understanding of genetic qualities in reinforcing the evolutionary struggle of the survival of the fittest. By contrast, A Devil's Chaplain is a book that will appeal primarily to people who have read several books by Professor Dawkins and would like to know more about him as a person and his views outside of neo-Darwinism. If you have not read anything by Professor Dawkins, I recommend you skip this book unless you have a thorough understanding of the latest evolutionary theories. Much of the book won't make sense to you otherwise. A Devil's Chaplain is a series of essays (some published before and some not), laments, eulogies and a letter to his daughter. From these materials, you can learn more about how Professor Dawkins sees his colleagues, those who oppose evolutionary teachings, postmodernists, and his personal views on religious beliefs and "alternative" medicine. Much of what he says will not surprise you. As a scientist, he favors the scientific method and is rationally skeptical of anything that cannot be proven by this method. He is also annoyed by a society that grants prominent opportunities to share views that are not proven by scientific methods. As a result, he is also an atheist . . . but one who draws great joy from considering the world around him and the methods by which it has been created. Many people think of atheists as gloomy people, or people without much emotion. Professor Dawkins is neither. His loving descriptions of relations with his colleagues, rivals and mentors show just the opposite.Read more ›
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98 of 107 people found the following review helpful
This is collection of essays by Dawkins that have been published over the last 3 decades, with an over arching theme of championing rationalism over the burgeoning amount of mysticism, post-modernistic rubbish and general ignorance of science that meets us today. All the essays are equally engaging, being passionately and clearly presented. Divided into seven categories they cover the familiar ground of evolutionary principals, memes and genes, cultural relativism and his contempt for all things mystical clearly prevails. The gloves really come off with a damning indictment of religion in general and the ills that it can lead to, which is followed up eloquently in the final essay where he writes an open letter to his 10 year old daughter urging her to think and question the nature of anything before she becomes a victim of any selfishly proliferating memes. What is striking is the diversity of topics covered. Even if you have read his previous works there are still a few gems of evolutionary theory in there and he covers topics such as speciesism and the ethics of trial by jury in his usual persuasive way. Moreover there are many poignant thoughts on friends and colleagues, with references to Douglas Adams, Hamilton and Steven J Gould. As is so often with Dawkins, the pages just keep turning and you find yourself more and more enlightened as the hours fly by. A must read for anyone, whether you're familiar with him or not.
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