Listening to Radio 4

[jazzy_dave]

The joys of listening to Radio 4 sometimes is that you get to listen to deep philosophical discussions such as The Moral Maze. This evening it was on religion science and scientism in relation to the subject of climate change. This was the synopsis of the programme -


"As the flood waters rise and gales rip through the country the debate about climate change has erupted with new energy, with both sides claiming the scientific and moral high ground. So where does that leave us? Whether it's climate change, GM crops or the latest IVF technique - how should we make moral decisions when the facts are in dispute? Environmentalists accuse the sceptics of being climate change "deniers" with all the emotional charge that comes with that word "denier"; while the sceptics accuse the environmentalists of following a quasi-religious cult that is more about controlling people's freedoms than it is about anything to do with the weather. Both claim the science backs up their position and accuse the other side of ignoring and twisting the evidence. Do we rely too much on science being the only reliable and neutral source of knowledge? How often have you heard politicians fall back on the phrase "the science shows that..." when they're promoting their own values and policies? Is science filling in the moral vacuum left by our increasing scepticism of traditional forms of authority? Or is the scientific method the only thing that's saving us from dressing up our own prejudices as moral, right and just? Increasingly we live in an age when we want answers and we want them now. But arguably, we also live in an age when our scientific illiteracy is matched only by our philosophical ignorance. Thankfully the Moral Maze is here to help. Combative, provocative and engaging debate chaired by Michael Buerk with Claire Fox, Michael Portillo, Giles Fraser and Anne McElvoy."

Whether you agree or disagree , it was a thought provoking subject.

Also on was the latest heat oin Brain Of Britain and Poetry Please

Comments

[thespian15.livejournal.com]

I wish more politicians on this side of the pond would use science.
The Conservatives far too often simply deny that science even exists. UGH...
How do you argue against COMPLETE denial?
Hugs, Jon

[changeling72.livejournal.com]

I would like to listen to Radio 4 more. And turn the television off!

[davesmusictank.livejournal.com]

I tend to find alot of tellie boring nowadays except for documentaries to do with the arts or history.