Stephen Law

To buy tickets go to the website here: http://oxfordliteraryfestival.org/ Wed 20th March 2013, 10am Alternative Medicine: Facts And Fallacies Edzard Ernst Professor Edzard Ernst explores to what extent our love affair with alternative medicine is based on good evidence and to what degree it is due to fallacious thinking and misunderstandings.  Ernst has conducted two decades of research into alternative medicines and published a number of books on the subject, including T rick or Treatment: Alternative Medicine on Trial .   His life-long interest in this area started while working in a homeopathic hospital. As a clinician, he admits to have been impressed with several alternative treatments he employed. After becoming a scientist, his attitude gradually became more self-critical. When he was appointed in 1993 as chair of complementary medicine, he decided to critically evaluate alternative medicine with the tools of science. The results of his research and ...

--> CFI UK and Conway Hall present JOURNALISM, CHURNALISM AND MEDIA BIAS Ben Goldacre, Rich Peppiatt, Michael Marshall, Greg Philo How much journalism is churnalism - the uncritical regurgitation of press releases? To what extent can we trust what we read in the press about medical and other scientific discoveries and breakthroughs? How impartial is mainstream media coverage of key political and economic issues? And just how much of tabloid news is just, well, made up ? Saturday, 15 th December 2012 Conway Hall 25 Red Lion Square London WC1R 4RL 11am-5.15pm (10.30am registration) £10 (£5 students concessions). Free entry for Friends of CFI UK. Bookshop and signings. Tickets on the door and from the BHA website here: http://www.humanism.org.uk/meet-up/events/view/196 Introduced by Stephen Law Speakers include: Ben Goldacre (Guardian columnist, doctor and author of Bad Science ) Michael Marshall (expert on press-release-based ...

The Limits of Science Event [50001] Saturday 9 June 2012 2:30pm The Limits of Science Rupert Sheldrake, Stephen Law, James Le Fanu No one can doubt that science is our most powerful means to intervene in the world. But does science uncover the ultimate nature of the world? Or are there things it cannot fathom? Do we hide from the limitations of science or are we attracted by the inexplicable because it makes us feel more human? Controversial biologist and author of The Science Delusion, Rupert Sheldrake, physician, Telegraph columnist and historian of science James Le Fanu debate the limits of knowledge with Think editor, commentator and philosopher Stephen Law. Tickets here . Earlybird: £5.00 Standard: £7.00 Full-price: £9.00 website .

I'll be on BBC 1 Big Questions tomorrow, 10am (clocks go back btw). Do we need religion to create a moral soceity? PS oops no, clocks go forward. Thanks anon.

Tuesday, Feb 21st: Think About Knowledge 7:30pm: Life, the Universe, and Everything - The Quest for Truth Magdalen College, Grove Auditorium, OX1 4AU Science is credited as the most effective approach to answering questions. Scientifically derived facts are viewed as truths. But there are also truths to be found in mythology, in historical accounts, in philosophy. As we try to make sense of our world, to answer the big questions, how do we know what ‘truths’ to believe? Which, if any, of these is preeminent? Is there ultimately only one truth, or are there categories of truths? And in our quest for the truth, what sorts of questions should we be asking? Who is best placed to ask them? Join us as we engage with a panel of distinguished thinkers from science, philosophy and theology as they try to assert that their domain is, in fact, best placed to answer the biggest questions. Dr. Stephen Law, philosopher, http://stephenlaw.blogspot.com/ Prof. Peter Atkins, chemist, http://www.humani...

Come and hear KENAN MALIK, AUSTIN DACEY, ANDREW COPSON, JACOB MCHANGAMA, MARYAM NAMAZIE speaking informatively and provocatively on this controversial topic. Presented by Stephen Law. This event focuses on the criminalization of religious hatred, defamation, and insult under European human rights, and how this functions as a de facto blasphemy law. Jointly presented by Centre for Inquiry UK and SPES Saturday 28th January 2012 Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square Holborn Tickets: £10 (£8 student). http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/tickets 10.30am REGISTRATION 11.00AM Kenan Malik Beyond the sacred Kenan writes: The idea of blasphemy is closely linked to the concept of the sacred. Detachment from the sacred, the former Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor claimed at the installation ceremony for his successor, has been responsible for war and terror, sin and evil. In this view the acceptance of the sacred is indispensable for the creation of a moral framework and for t...

I have organized the following events. See some of you there I hope... 12.00 Saturday 24th March Prof Steve Jones on creationism 2pm wed 28th March Nigel Warburton on Little History of Philosophy 12.00 noon on Thursday 29th March, David Aaronovitch on conspiracy theories 10.00 Thursday 29th March, Stephen Law on believing bullshit Tickets available from the box office (in some cases, shortly). Go here .

I have organized this upcoming event for CFI UK. Really excellent, knowledgeable and entertaining speakers... “Blasphemy!” - Blasphemy, religious hatred, and human rights: Who speaks for the sacred? This event focuses on the criminalization of religious hatred, defamation, and insult under European human rights, and how this functions as a de facto blasphemy law. Jointly presented by Centre for Inquiry UK and SPES. Saturday 28th January 2012 Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square Holborn EC1R 4RL Tickets: £10 (£8 student). http://www.humanism.org.uk/shop/tickets 10.30am REGISTRATION 11.00AM Kenan Malik Beyond the Sacred Kenan writes: The idea of blasphemy is closely linked to the concept of the sacred. Detachment from the sacred, the former Archbishop of Westminster, Cardinal Cormac Murphy-O'Connor claimed at the installation ceremony for his successor, has been responsible for war and terror, sin and evil. In this view the acceptance of the sacred is indispensable for the creation of a ...

To subscribe to email updates about the Centre For Inquiry UK events I am arranging, please email me the phrase "subscribe cfi". You can unsubscribe any time. The next event is this pretty amazing one on ghosts, spirits, etc, btw. Sat 14th Jan. Magicians are involved so it will be entertaining as well as educational. To subscribe to email updates about Heythrop and other conferences and events of interest to pupils doing A Level RS and/or Philosophy , please email me the phrase "subscribe Heythrop". use the email address s.law AT heythrop.ac.uk (but fixing this anti-spam version, of course!) The next Heythrop Conference is this one on Sat 21st Jan 2012 with Keith Ward, Richard Harries, John Cottingham and myself. It's free but you need to book.

Here's an upcoming event I have organized for my college. Venue is Heythrop College, Kensington Square. It's free. Aimed especially at VIth formers and their teachers.To book email me or Karoline Wilhelm-Brown k.wilhelm-brown@heythrop.ac.uk HEYTHROP RELIGIOUS STUDIES CONFERENCE KEITH WARD, JOHN COTTINGHAM, STEPHEN LAW, RICHARD HARRIES 21st Jan 2012 Particularly aimed at students of RS, though all are welcome. Bookshop by Newham books. Book signings. 11.00 KEITH WARD Life, the Universe, and Everything Keith Ward is a Fellow of British Academy, one-time Professor of the Philosophy of Religion, King's London, Regius Professor of Divinity, Oxford, and now Professorial Research Fellow at Heythrop. 12.00 JOHN COTTINGHAM Ethics and Religion: How They Fit Together John Cottingham is Professorial Research Fellow at Heythrop College, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Reading University, and an Honorary Fellow of St John’s College, Oxford. He is Editor of Ratio, the international jo...

Here's the Al Jazeera discussion programme I appeared on last night. It was a very good discussion I thought. Al Jazeera produce exceptionally high quality TV. The other contributors were Salman Hameed and Imam Joe Bradford from the US. The discussion was prompted by an article by Geneticist Steve Jones in the Telegraph . In fact I had not seen this earlier interview in the Australian where Jones does say the problem of students boycotting evolution classes is predominantly with Muslim students.

I'll be on the Stream programme this evening, talking about Muslims who (it's alleged) walk out of or boycott lectures on evolution that form part of their university course. Steve Jones has previously expressed a concern . From 7.30-8.00 via Skype, along with some others. I'll be tweeting afterwards....@stephenlaw60

Today, 9am Minnesotta time, 3pm UK time. I must not say "bullshit" When Radio 3 asked me not to say it, I ended up saying it about 20 times. So there may be a few bleeps.... Link here . It will be a podcast almost immediately I think.

CFI UK and The Ethical Society present: BEYOND THE VEIL – A CLOSER LOOK AT SPIRITS, MEDIUMS AND GHOSTS Arranged by Stephen Law (Provost CFI UK) Saturday 14th January 2012 Conway Hall, 25 Red Lion Square, Holborn, London Bookshop by Newham Bookshop TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE . General: £10 general public. Members and students: £8 BHA, AHS and SPES members and students with valid ID. Free to members of the Centre for Inquiry UK. ***Special offer*** Tickets to this event and the Blasphemy! event on the 28th January £16 general, £12 members and students):Members and student ticket offer and General public ticket offer. 10.30am REGISTRATION 11.00 CHRIS FRENCH Spirits on the brain: Insights from psychology and neuroscience Chris French is a Professor of Psychology and Head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London. He is a Distinguished Supporter of the British Humanist Association and former editor of the Skeptic. Belief in spirits can be found in all human...

'Blasphemy!' - blasphemy, religious hatred, and human rights: who speaks for the sacred? Presented by CFI UK and The Ethical Society Saturday 28th January 2012 CONWAY HALL,25 Red Lion Square Holborn Introduced by Dr Stephen Law of Heythrop College, University of London and Editor of Think (Royal Institute Philosophy) Provost of Centre for Inquiry UK. This event focuses on the criminalization of religious hatred, defamation, and insult under European human rights, and how this functions as a de facto blasphemy law. Tickets on sale HERE . General: £10 general public Members and students: £8 BHA, AHS and SPES members and students with valid ID Free to members of the Centre for Inquiry UK. ***Special offer*** Joint tickets to this event and the Beyond the Veil event on the 14th January: £16 general public and £12 members and student ticket offer. PROGRAMME 10.30am REGISTRATION 11.00 am Kenan Malik - Title TBA 12.00 Andrew Copson – Blasphemy laws by the back door Andrew Copson has b...

My band the Heavy Dexters playing here tomorrow night: JOE'S BAR AND GRILL 260 Banbury Rd Oxford OX2 7DX. 8.30pm - 10.15pm.Tel. 01865 554484

farnham HUMANISTS “Morality without religion has no firm foundation”. 1. The debate will take place on Tuesday 1st November at South Farnham School, Menin Way, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8DY at 7.45pm, (actual introduction and debate starts at 8.00pm), ending promptly at 10.00pm. We will arrange to collect you from the station or, if you prefer, we can send you some maps and directions. 2. The motion is “Morality without religion has no firm foundation”. 3. The motion will be proposed and seconded by Professor Lord Harries of Pentregarth and Dr Nabil Mustapha, Baha’i and Interfaith. It will be opposed by Dr Stephen Law, Provost, Centre for Enquiry and David Pollock, President of the European Humanist Federation. Each side will decide who will speak first and who second. Mrs Norma Corkish, head of Citizen’s Advice Waverley will chair the debate. 4. The debate will be opened by the Chairman of Farnham Humanists who will welcome and thank everyone, introduce the Debate Chairman and say that the...

I am playing with the Heavy Dexters at the Bullingdon Arms pub in Oxford, this coming Tuesday (20th Sept). It's a pretty good venue in the back room with stage PA, light rig, etc. By the way our website with demo etc. is here . Available for weddings, bar mitzvahs etc.! It's on the Cowley Road. Live jazz plus DJs playing r'n'b, funk and soul 9.30pm-midnight. DJ set till 2am. Free entry The Bullingdon Arms, 162 Cowley Road, Oxford OX4 1UE; Tel. 01865 244516.

on 24th Sept straight after Conspiracy Theory Day. We are also playing at the Bullingdon Pub in East Oxford on Tuesday, September 20 at 10:00pm - 12:00.

Just to remind you of this upcoming event I've organized as Provost of CFI UK. One speaker may be unavailable, but should know shortly. I note that some on the internet have this event down as part of a conspiracy. Of which I must be the evil mastermind, mwahahahaha!!! Example: "So... 'Conspiracy Theory Day'...an innocent get-together of like-minded folk, or something far darker?..." "The more I think about this, the more unsettled I become. Look at the backgrounds of those appearing at the event..." Am anticipating possible disruption from those seeking to tell us The Truth. Not sure whether this will prove entertaining or irritating. Advice welcome. Of course there's opportunity for all and sundry to ask questions. CFI UK and SPES present CONSPIRACY THEORY DAY Sunday 25th September 2011 9/11, alien visitation, Jewish cabals and global warming - why are people drawn to conspiracy theories, and what holds them captive? What are the warning signs of a...