The only answer to the endless chains of why, why, why is that the alternatives died

I even agree that the concept of god helps some people lead better lives. That does happen. Don't ever forget it. I just think there are better ways to help people lead better lives.

It is not so much that we, using our brains, spin our yarns, as that our brains, using yarns, spin us.

There is no polite way to suggest to someone that they have devoted their life to a folly.

Up till now, we can suppose, nervous systems solved the 'Now what do I do?' problem by a relatively simple balancing act between a strictly limited repertoire of actions - if not the famous four F's (fight, flee, feed, or mate), then a modest elaboration of them.

Some cultural phenomena bear a striking resemblance to the cells of cell biology, actively preserving themselves in their social environments, finding the nutrients they need and fending off the causes of their dissolution.

AI makes philosophy honest