‘It could well be that religion is a better discipline than pop science, when it comes to shaping the rational intellect.’… Read the rest
Welcome to our archive of news stories relevant to the project of fighting fashionable nonsense. The stories are drawn from the electronic pages of the world’s media. On this page, you’ll find links to those stories that have been featured on Butterflies and Wheels during the current year. At the bottom of the page, you’ll find links to separate archives of stories from previous years.
We’re always pleased to hear about news stories that you think should be featured on Butterflies and Wheels. Just send an email here, if you want to point one out to us.
A note about links
Inevitably links go out of date. We suggest, therefore, that you make hard-copies of the stories that particularly interest you.
Danny Postel Replies to Scruton and Others 
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Feels less inclined to dispute those points than to ponder them and see if there might be something of value.… Read the rest
How to Be Existentialist Socrates at the Airport
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
As with the airport and the dentist’s waiting room, so with the gym, Steven Poole notes sagely.… Read the rest
Stephen Law on 50 Voices of Disbelief
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Even better than he was expecting; a great read.… Read the rest
James Wood on A S Byatt
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The author dances, with leaden slippers, around the thought-sleep of her characters.… Read the rest
Michael Ruse on The Greatest Show on Earth
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The eye is magnificent – we can read this wonderful book.… Read the rest
Martha Nussbaum on Same-sex Marriage
Oct 26th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
There is something odd about the mixture of casualness and solemnity with which the state behaves as a marrying agent.… Read the rest
The Speech Cops Knock on the Door
Oct 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Citizen writes to council complaining about gay pride march, council tells police about ‘hate incident.’… Read the rest
Ending the Silence on ‘Honour’ Killing
Oct 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Sharia courts are letting Muslim women down and the British government is turning a blind eye.’… Read the rest
Business as Usual for Vatican Enterprises Inc.
Oct 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The Catholic Church is a giant multinational corporation, differing from rivals only in not paying taxes. … Read the rest
Catholic Church a Force for Good, Yes or No
Oct 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Hitchens and Fry v Widdecombe and Archbishop Onaiyekan. It was a rout.… Read the rest
Simon Singh on Censorship by Libel Threat
Oct 25th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Even academic journals receive libel threats. Even academics being interviewed have to fear libel. … Read the rest
Is Atheism Science or Philosophy?
Oct 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
If there were a giant reptile in Loch Ness, it ought to be possible to find it.… Read the rest
M Pigliucci on the Scope of Skeptical Inquiry
Oct 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
A scientific argument for atheism is outside the epistemological boundaries of science and a disservice to intellectual inquiry.… Read the rest
Blackford on Pigliucci on Skeptical Inquiry
Oct 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Scientists are entitled to reject claims that are presented as mere ad hoc manoeuvres to avoid falsification.… Read the rest
Come on Over, Catholicism is Swell!
Oct 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘Yes, the church’s history is bloody and corrupt, but so is England’s.’ Just watch out for the sharks.… Read the rest
Have ‘Atheist Fundamentalists’ Seized CFI?
Oct 24th, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
Or is the claim just more name-calling and othering?… Read the rest
Human Rights Watch Has Lost the Plot
Oct 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
HRW had as its original mission to pry open closed societies, advocate basic freedoms and support dissenters.… Read the rest
Madeleine Bunting Discovers Political Philosophy
Oct 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
‘We need to be looking to political philosophy. I’m as hazy on the subject as the next person…’… Read the rest
Jesus and Mo Study Karen Armstrong
Oct 23rd, 2009 |
Filed by Ophelia Benson
The barmaid doesn’t get the lesson.… Read the rest
