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Does "this point of view" refer to "Atheism itself must therefore be seen a form of blind faith"?

 
 
Reply Fri 3 May, 2013 05:28 am

Does "this point of view" refer to "Atheism itself must therefore be considered a form of blind faith"?
Failed to understand the meaning of "encapsulation." Does it mean "full expression"?

Context:

The major and inescapable flaw of Dawkins's claim that science demands atheism is that it goes beyond the evidence. If God is outside of nature, then science can neither prove nor disprove His existence. Atheism itself must therefore be considered a form of blind faith, in that it adopts a belief system that cannot be defended on the basis of pure reason. Perhaps the most colorful encapsulation of this point of view comes from an unlikely source: Stephen Jay Gould, who outside of Dawkins is probably the most widely read public spokesperson for evolution of the past generation. Writing in an otherwise littlenoticed book review, Gould chastised the Dawkins perspective:
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mark noble
 
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Reply Fri 3 May, 2013 06:24 am
@oristarA,
What has Evolution got to do with Atheism?

It is like comparing Quantum Gravity with an inherent loathing of Gandhi...

Evolution is FACT (Measurable Scientific FACT)
Atheism is a theistic denunciation of deitic existence.

One does not walk hand in hand with the other.
'Evolution' does NOT denounce 'God'. It just Explains the progress of Nature.

Unfortunately, Dawkins has an 'OCD', much like those who oppose him...

How does a Mustard seed grow into a huge leafy plant that supports and brings haven to a multitude of lifeforms???
Evo' frikkin' lution!
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maxdancona
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Reply Fri 3 May, 2013 07:52 am
@oristarA,
I think you are correct about "this point of view".

To "encapsulate" means to put in a conceptual box. In other words it means Gould stated the idea as an independent thing with clean boundaries (rather than being tied in with other ideas).

To be honest, I am not sure if "encapsulate" is the word that I would have used in this context. Maybe the word "definition" is better...
oristarA
 
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Reply Fri 3 May, 2013 08:19 am
@maxdancona,
Thank you.

The key question is exactly the use of "encapsulation," which seems a mystery to me (also to you? LOL).
maxdancona
 
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Reply Fri 3 May, 2013 10:35 am
@oristarA,
I use the word quite often in engineering. Systems and processes can be encapsulated, meaning that we can think of them as separate boxes (and not have to worry about the details of what's inside the box). This is a great thing to an engineer.

I don't use the word very often at all outside of this context.
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