Dawkins

Question 1

What are memes?

Answer 1

Parts of culture e.g. Songs that are passed down through generations. This is the only way to live on after death by being remembered. These are essentially the soul for Dawkins.

Question 2

What else do we pass on?

Answer 2

Genes. Dawkins claimed humans are nothing but carriers of DNA. Evolution filters the good genes in and bad genes out. Belief in the soul is dangerous for human endeavour.

Question 3

What does Dawkins think of mental states?

Answer 3

That they are simply brain states.

Question 4

How does Dawkins explain consciousness?

Answer 4

Dawkins says consciousness can be explained by evolution.

Question 5

Criticism// Near death experiences prove that there is an afterlife.

Answer 5

Counter// Persinger’s helmet is scientific proof that near death experiences are not reliable and can be explained by chemicals in the brain.

Question 6

Criticism// You can’t reduce mental states to brain processes.

Answer 6

Counter// How come brain damage caused a change in mental states? We can show a change in mental states by changing their brain.