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The Forum > Article Comments > Monuments to 'Reason': De Botton's temple exercise > Comments

Monuments to 'Reason': De Botton's temple exercise : Comments

By Binoy Kampmark, published 21/2/2012

Secularism has a habit of aping religion in a self-destructive way.

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One million pounds in the City of London will buy you a couple of parking spaces. Either de Botton's 'Temple' is going to be very tall and thin, or he's not expecting a large congregation.

I think atheists and theists can agree on this one -- it's a daft idea.
Posted by Jon J, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 6:48:08 AM
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An explanation from de Botton :

http://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/2012/01/31/blog-special-alain-de-botton-on-his-temple-of-atheism/

"I'm simply arguing that contemporary architecture analyse the high points of religious architecture throughout history...."
Posted by Poirot, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 7:42:53 AM
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de Botton is not the new messiah, he's just a very naught .. prat
Posted by McReal, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 7:48:39 AM
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Yes indeed.

"It sounds naff at first glance"

And second.

And third, fourth, fifth...

De Botton is a classic example of the self-promoting pop-philosopher. He has scant regard for accuracy or rigorous thought, but an uncanny eye for writing the sort of verbal dross that makes a certain audience go "Ooo, innee clever".

Sadly, he encourages exactly the sort of article we have just read, which is itself slight and insubstantial as a result of the underlying material being so superficial. De Botton, meanwhile, relishes them, on the grounds that any controversy, however poorly constructed and flimsily argued, will sell a few more tickets to his next show.
Posted by Pericles, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 8:04:33 AM
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Pericles,

While I take your point that de Botton is a "popular philosopher" - and in that sense he strives to toss a few ideas out into mainstream society for people to chew on. However, I don't think we should dismiss the germ of his suggestion out of hand. Modern architecture is often brutal on the eye and spirit.

Here's the view from de Botton's Melbourne hotel window:
http://yfrog.com/nzoo5djj

I think what he's trying to say is that these buildings reflect something more than a mere construction of stone and mortar - a geometrical form that we instinctively recognise as harmonious.
Posted by Poirot, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 8:55:59 AM
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Dawkins writes 'if you are going to spend money on atheism you could improve secular education and build non-religious schools which teach rational, sceptical and critical thinking '

What an absolute joke. Rational thinking by those who hold to the evolution myth? And they call this rational. No wonder so many of these 'rational ' thinkers fell hook line and sinker for the gw scam. If they sought a little truth instead of their dogmas they might get somewhere. That however might expose the adamic nature and we can't have that can we.
Posted by runner, Tuesday, 21 February 2012 9:43:59 AM
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