Massimo Pigliucci: "Politics, Philosophy and Atheism."

Atheists Talk #0074, Sunday June 14, 2009

Is there a direct correlation between atheism and liberalism? Why do so many atheists lean towards the left of the political spectrum? Many of our past shows have focused on the Conservative Christian influence over American politics, but does that necessarily mean that one needs to oppose their views in all areas? Politics, philosophy and atheism are the topic for today's show. Our guest is Massimo Pigliucci, who contacted us following our interview with Sunsara Taylor, because he wanted to address a few of the points she had made in regards to socialism and atheism. As a philosopher and an evolutionary biologist, Massimo regularly addresses the intersections of politics and religion. George Kane will lead the discussion.

Tomorrow, Sunday Morning on AM 950 Twin Cities, as via the internets. Details here.

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Depends what you mean by 'liberal'. From this side of the pond, the word 'liberal' when used in the US, seems to imply anything left of Attila the Hun.

I think if one were to google up the phrase "political compass" and read some of the perspective there, and take the quiz, they would see that trying to describe the political landscape from the one dimensional shadow it casts upon space within the agreed upon framework we'd see that we're confusing the shadow for its reality and understand better just as to what is or what isn't a liberal or conservative...or what is "right versus left". Those terms are archaic remnants from the era when the French kings attempted to impose some order on their parliamentary body. Give it a few minutes of your time but beware, you'll never be fooled by the illusion that the shadow is the reality again.

Why do so many atheists lean towards the left of the political spectrum?

Because obviously God hates liberals and liberals like to be hedonistic, Satan worshiping atheists...

(Though oddly, I am far less a hedonist now, than I was years ago - and I wasn't an atheist years ago...)