| Description |
1 online resource (streaming video file) (44 min. 8 sec.) ; 266082403 bytes |
| Summary |
After his controversial 2007 documentary series Root of All Evil, evolutionary biologist Professor Richard Dawkins presents a new television onslaught where he pits hard science against astrology, tarot, psychics and alternative medicines.Richard states that there are two ways of looking at the world - through faith and superstition or through the rigours of logic, observation and evidence - in other words, through reason. He believes that reason and respect for evidence are precious commodities, the source of human progress and our safeguard against fundamentalists and those who profit from obscuring the truth. Yet, today, society appears to be retreating from reason. Apparently harmless but utterly irrational belief systems from astrology to New Age mysticism, clairvoyance to alternative health remedies are booming. In this two-part series, Richard Dawkins confronts what he sees as an epidemic of irrational, superstitious thinking.In episode one, Dawkins asks: is it rational that the dead can communicate with the living and give sound advice on how they should live their lives? What about sticking pins into your body to free the flow of Chi energy and cure your illness? Or the bending of spoons using your mind alone? Is that rational? Richard Dawkins doesn't think so, and feels it is his duty to expose those areas of belief that exist without scientific proof, yet manage to hold the nation under their spell.He will take on the world's leading proponents in their field of expertise, meet the 'victims' who have used them and expose the history of the movements - from the charlatans who have milked these practices to the experiments and testing that have failed to produce conclusive results.PRODUCTION DETAILS:Executive Producer: Rose Hesp |
| Event |
Broadcast 2010-02-01 at 23:30:00 |
| Notes |
Classification: G |
| Subject |
Astrology -- Study and teaching.
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Belief and doubt.
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Faith and reason.
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Mysticism -- Psychology.
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Parapsychology and science.
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Superstition.
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| Form |
Streaming video
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| Author |
Barnes, Russell, director
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Church, Ken, contributor
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Dawkins, Richard, host
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French, Chris, contributor
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Fuller, Karen, contributor
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Fuller, Steve, contributor
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Goodfellow, Simon, contributor
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Hamilton-Parker, Craig, contributor
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Kumar, Satish, contributor
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Negus, Jim, contributor
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Spencer, Neil, contributor
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