I just received the new Harper's . The issue's first essay under "Reading" is "The Evidence of Things Not Seen," by David Berlinski, the noted mathematician whose writings have won many awards and whose new book, The Devil's Delusion: Atheism and its Scientific Pretensions, comes out next month. David's essay is the perfect punctuation to the end of the American Atheists convention held in Minneapolis over Easter Weekend (when else would atheists meet, Christmas?).
Suffice that Berlinski's article--derived from the book--is a joy. There is at least one other leading intellectual journal with a piece from the book coming out.
And then there is Berlinski's major role in the new Ben Stein film, Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed. The film comes out on April 18. Also, George Gilder has persuaded Dr. Berlinski to address the opening of the Telecosm Conference at Lake George in May andthere will be Devil's Delusion book parties in Washington, D.C. and Seattle (see our DI homepage for schedules). And speeches elsewhere.
I can summarize the Berlinski review of real scientific knowledge (as opposed to fanciful guesswork and speculation) on the origin of the universe, the origin of matter and the origin of life: No One Knows.
How many of his fellow scientists will admit as much?
Gilder says Berlinski's new work is the "best book of the decade."
Well, that leaves two years for Dawkins, et al to mount a reply.