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Show 511: Steven Pinker

Our Better Angels? Have humans turned over a new leaf?  A Discussion with Steven Pinker

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Matthew LaClair interviewed evolutionary psychologist Steven Pinker on his most recent work which includes an examination of his claim that humans have become more altruistic and less violent over the last 50,000 years.  Many contest this hypothesis — from social scientists to historians — and some have suggested that quite the opposite is the case.

We asked Dr. Pinker about his work in the hopes to better understand his argument and what is indeed the reality concerning human nature in this special LIVE program!

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Show 510: Common Ground / Dale Debakcsy

Roy Speckhardt and Carl Chudy on CommonGround2015 & Science Teacher, Dale Debakcsy

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Up first, a discussion with secular humanist Roy Speckhardt of the American Humanist Association, and then Father Carl Chudy of Xaverian Missionaries on an all day conference at Rutgers University in New Brunswick on finding common ground between atheists/humanists and religious folks. For more information, please go to CommonGround2015.org.

Then we will be talking with Dale Debakcsy on two of his latest essays; one on the late philosopher Walter Kaufman, and the other on the New Age notion of BioCentrism.

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Show 509: Considering the Confederate Flag, Part Two

Considering the Confederate Flag, Part Two

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This Saturday on Equal Time for Freethought… after Matthew LaClair’s recent interview with South Carolina Representatives Jenny Horne (R) and Joseph Neal (D) on the Confederate Flag, voter ID laws, and religious tolerance, ETFF digs a bit deeper and speaks with life-long South Carolinian and Clemson University professor, Orville Vernon Burton.
Professor Burton is an expert on the South, focusing on race relations, the Civil War, and the civil rights movement. He has written numerous books including The Age of Lincoln, has provided expert testimony in high profile voter ID cases including the South Carolina v Holder 2011 case, has previously served as president of the Southern Historical Association and the Agricultural History Society, and has received myriad awards for his work.
Prof. Burton listened to our show with the SC representatives, and gives us his take on the program as we address the issues of culture, law, and history of the South.