Richard Dawkins & Lawrence Krauss: Something from Nothing

Critically-acclaimed author and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins and world-renowned theoretical physicist and author Lawrence Krauss discuss biology, cosmology, religion, and a host of other topics at this event entitled 'Something from Nothing'. This video was recorded at The Australian National University on 10 April 2012.
Richard Dawkins FRS is the Charles Simonyi Professor of the Public Understanding of Science at the University of Oxford. Born in British colonial Africa, he was educated in England, where he now lives. He did his doctorate at Oxford under the Nobel Prize winning zoologist Niko Tinbergen, then was briefly an Assistant Professor at the University of California, Berkeley, from 1967 to 1969, after which he returned to Oxford, first as a Lecturer in Zoology, then Reader, before being elected to his present professorship.
He is the author of nine books: The Selfish Gene (1976, 2nd Ed 1989), The Extended Phenotype (1982), The Blind Watchmaker (1986), River Out of Eden (1995), Climbing Mount Improbable (1996), Unweaving the Rainbow (1998), A Devil's Chaplain (2003), The Ancestor's Tale (2004) and The God Delusion (2006). The God Delusion has sold more than two million copies in English, and is being published in 30 other languages. Dawkins is now editing an anthology of scientific writing for Oxford University Press, The Oxford Book of Modern Science Writing. In 2006, to promote the values of education, science, and critical thinking skills, he established The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science (RDFRS) which is now a registered charity in both the UK and USA.
Richard Dawkins has Honorary Doctorates of Literature as well as Science, and is a Fellow of both the Royal Society and the Royal Society of Literature. He has been awarded the Silver Medal of the Zoological Society of London, the Michael Faraday Award of the Royal Society, the Nakayama Prize, the Cosmos International Prize, the Kistler Prize, the Shakespeare Prize and the Lewis Thomas Prize.
Lawrence M. Krauss is a renowned cosmologist and science populariser, and is Foundation Professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration, and director of the Origins Project at Arizona State University. Hailed by Scientific American as a rare public intellectual, he is also the author of more than three hundred scientific publications and nine books, including the international bestseller, The Physics of Star Trek, and his most recent bestseller entitled A Universe from Nothing.
He received his PhD from MIT in 1982 and then joined the Society of Fellows at Harvard, and was a professor at Yale University and Chair of the Physics Department at Case Western Reserve University before taking his present position. Internationally known for his work in theoretical physics, he is the winner of numerous international awards, and is the only physicist to have received major awards from all three US physics societies, the American Physical Society, the American Institute of Physics, and the American Association of Physics Teachers. Krauss is also a commentator and essayist for newspapers such as the New York Times, and the Wall St. Journal, and has written regular columns for New Scientist and Scientific American and appears regularly on radio and television. He is one of the few scientists to have crossed the chasm between science and popular culture, and is also active in issues of science and society. He serves as co-chair of the Board of Sponsors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and on the Board of Directors of the Federation of American Scientists.

[@Jokerwolf666]

The only person that could have made this an extraordinary event was Christopher Hitchens, he was a gentleman, a scholar and an inspiration to reason.

[@sheavsey]

I cannot believe I missed this! I was practically within walking distance of Lawrence Krauss AND Richard Dawkins and I freaking missed it! Even worse, I know one of the questioners (and don't much care for them).

[@TheTrendkilll]

I came for Richard, I stayed for Lawrence

[@SirTripsA1otGames]

I have a question. I haven't read the entire bible and I don't profess knowledge of everything in it, but from what I know of Hell wouldn't it be more plausible that the Devil wouldn't torture you for eternity? I was just curious because if you pissed off God enough to be damned to eternity in Hell, why would the devil torture you? Doesn't he hate God? If he does, wouldn't he be happy with you pissing God off. Also if the Devil's goal is to get rid of God, which is what I assume is his goal (again I don't know for sure), wouldn't he work with all of the people who are now angry with God for excommunicating them from Heaven and try to create an army to take God down? I mean if I were the Devil I wouldn't be trying to torture people for eternity ESPECIALLY if God told me to. I'm not a believer in God, Satan, or the BIble so in the end this doesn't really matter to me, but I guess I'm a bit curious.

[@maxmom6467]

This talk never gets old.

[@MBP6705]

I don't know what to think of being immortal. The concept of an eternity is terrifying, but living through it, seeing the universe over the course of millions of years, seeing evolution unfold.

[@0ldFrittenfett]

Look for: Richard Dawkins vs Cardinal George Pell on Q&A (10-4-2012)

[@orth82]

must be such a breath of fresh air for Dawkins to be in the company of intelligent people for a change

[@jazmx]

The most beautiful discussion among my scientist heroes... I really think this is a quality conversation, comparing many other similar discussions between (Danett, Dawkins, Harris, Hitchens... etc)... and I give credit to Lawrence, because of his interesting dialectical skills.. I am longing to hear Lawrence and Danett in such beautiful discussion.

[@JesseRay89]

Haha I've watched that Q+A episode 5 times, heard the reference to this speech and never thought to find it. Cheers ANU!

[@lorddelanghe666]

Gotta love the pink Converse, lol.

[@beeryya]

Skip the intro 2:30

[@Novastar6]

Maybe it's something that has yet to be able to explained? Why do we have to fill religion with that void? At least science will admit that there's still questions to be answered.

[@googsxxiv4240]

Thank you for uploading. Such an interesting conversation that has truly broadened by mind.

[@geronimo49]

great discussion thanks for sharing it with us !

[@antitheist59]

This video is fine example of how our world education system has become so shitty, these brilliant scientists have to travel from continent to continent to teach elementary science concepts to these university students.

[@mikeyman2010]

He's a physicist, he can wear whatever he wants ;P

[@cemyeniasir3886]

One of the greatest dicussions I have ever seen. Thank you.

[@swemartinaj]

the evolutionary use of "cousin" IS different from the standard use, not that it is excuse for the cardinal or what ever he was.

[@garudagal23]

the usa's problem and future downfall is because our education system does not teach science well or insist on every student taking science courses. we are fast loosing our standing in the world in many areas but especially in education and most especially in science education

[@RuffnReadyOzStyle]

Excellent. Two great minds speaking sense. The world needs more of this.

[@fergochan]

Nothing wrong with suspending common sense, it tends to be problematic (think of all the absurdities that have been justified by "common sense" in the past), so suspending it from time to time is good practice. As for having faith in the minds of a select few, that's ridiculous, and goes completely against the grain of science. You're more than welcome to do the research yourself, come to your own conclusions, and if you can prove them wrong then excellent! Science welcomes that too :)

[@yosirking]

brilliant video!

[@criminalmindsgirl21]

"Speak for yourself!"

[@cstephn93]

Please , elaborate [2] . How a solid theory that explains so many questions of biology with so many evidences and proofs is "dumb" by your pespective ?

[@ivanmarsh]

Oy Vey... greatest part of this video (1:14:04). It's not a philosophical question... that's the whole point.

[@DickDickstein]

I kind of wish they stuck with that girl that had no clear understanding of what science is, and why it isn't like religion. They got a bit arrogant talking to her and blew her off as if she wasn't worth her time. The kind of things she didn't understand are what a lot of religious people don't. They don't understand basics about how science works, why someone telling a scientist they are wrong is advancement, or anything else. I thought they should have drove that home until she "got it".

[@terrypussypower]

Yes, I agree. But don't let your mind become so open that your brains fall out !

[@RPFS2008]

Nice shoes, Lawrence :D

[@LeoLeeGaming]

That questioner around 1:10 has taken most of what's on the Internet too literally. Most are meant for humor or inspiration. I always joke that Neil deGrasse Tyson is my God. This is just being playful if not poking a little fun at religion. It does not mean I literally pray to NGT. I wish I was at this discussion so I could tell that questioner to get a sense of humor.

[@spencerhardy8667]

it depends on the definition of the word. If you accept the force that caused the universe is called god, then so be it. That does not mean it has intelligence, design, purpose, or anything to do with humans. You could call gravity god, or the electromagnetic force. The trouble is religion is based on words and science is based ultimately on numbers and the relationship between observations.

[@edwardomoomoo9907]

Haha these two are more philosophers than scientists in this talk!

[@t3hxl337xnub]

It's like playing chess with a pigeon. ~Awesome guy

[@DickDickstein]

Agreed. I watch his little religious "debates", but I hate them so much because it is always up against complete ignorance. He has a lot of cool discussions on his channel though with guys like Krauss. MUCH prefer this format of just two scientists sitting around and talking. This is how it should be. Honestly I don't care about the religious stuff although I understand why they do it.

[@Flex_Nutts]

Cool shoes Lawrence!

[@Trendkillervideos]

Or, you can actually learn the equations and do the math yourself. No faith is required once you understand the evidence.

[@TheWisdomOfGrace]

Richard Dawkins held a debate with a creationist. (Search Q&A George Pell)

[@alskyd]

One word: Brilliant.

[@vincenzogermany]

too true!

[@Omakhara]

I totally agree and think that most people follow religions as is it so much more comfortable than actually learning,progressing consequently evolving. The once truth seeking human has therefore found something it can exchange that curiosity and stay infantile. Science has a bad reputation as people not involved actually think they know what they are talking about.

[@dyinteriors]

Absolute excellence. This is the new enlightenment!!

[@Mieowinkles]

Looking at it from a distance, I would say with all the evidence and study put into science it is a lot more transparent than believing something that was delegated in a book thousands of years ago and then not studied or examined by the people that believe in it.

[@thenorup]

Guy with Team Liquid Shirt! awesome!

[@emerald8081]

He means "nothing" from ancient Greek point of view is the empty space. Empty space is different from what really nothing means because empty space is not nothing it is something bcoz it has weight. What matters is science will be always open to more evidence while staying in the established information on how universe works. I hope God will appear so that I will be 100% sure that He created everything if He does exist. That what science is all about there's evidence and it works.

[@totaleklypz]

Religion would say, you MUST believe this because I said, don't question it. Science says, I know it doesn't sound right, but here is what I found out and here is why, please prove me wrong if you can. It's up to the person if they want to do the research themselves or believe what is being told, not blindly believing what was stated as fact.

[@biografmaskinist]

No. You have to look at evidence.

[@NighhtyNighht]

Some people are just made to be ruled.

[@hoodoojim]

Please, elaborate.

[@talktomeaboutlife]

I think that's a little disingenuous. There's nothing inherent in religion that says you must not question it, just as there is nothing inherent in science that says everyone should do their own research. A lot of what most us would know about science is what we've learnt from others - we haven't conducted empirical research ourselves at all. It's a completely false dichotomy, to say religion = unthinking devotion and science = rational empirical individually-founded truth.

[@oblivion539]

TEAM LIQUID

[@JungleHyena666]

Wow. This is so refreshing to watch. Finally two normal smart people having a normal discussion without some religious nuthead spewing their bs-guts on issues. I wonder why I havent found this Dawkins-footage sooner.

[@esufmp]

And please Richard, get another tie :)

[@kayvee256]

The only belief claims that remain for religion are those that cannot be tested. An important difference between science and religion is that in science untestable beliefs are considered worse than wrong. Theories that depend on such claims are adjusted or dismissed. But you cannot have a religion *without* untestable belief claims. Instead of throwing the bad beliefs out, religion must move these untestable beliefs about reality beyond any kind of reality check by calling them sacred. (2/2)

[@moppettshow]

How can a Scottish accent be an English accent; and, likewise, an Australian accent? A Birmingham accent might be considered the worst English accent, as Birmingham is in England; an Australian accent, on the other hand, might be considered 'foreign' in England.

[@WiseOldBill]

What about Buddhism?

[@Scotvenom]

1:12:55 "Science can prove things to be absolutely false." Technically wrong I think, though I think we are fine to accept this to be true for practical purposes, philosophically the truths of yesterday are not necessarily the truths of tomorrow. It's a bit of a burden having to quality this sort of thing every time I'll admit, but I think it's better for science not to associate with absolutes - leave that to the 'faithful'.

[@RazorEdge2006]

I like Lawrence Krauss. I find his arguments a lot more convincing than Dawkins.

[@FrdmFighter1913]

Who was he saying was immortal? 27:50

[@MattHarnettMusic]

29:15

[@ramalama246]

I feel bad for the cardinal. They were talking mad shit. I bet he cried when he watched this.

[@GummyBoar]

Oh i'd love if richard dawkins got to see that comment.

[@Novastar6]

Because there ISN'T a need for religion. It's a waste of time and continues to delay our progress as a species.

[@MissTubeTard]

you need to get rid of your religious narrow view and get a clear mind before you can see that they are exactly on point and the opposite of judgemental

[@vincenzogermany]

As a tertiary educated adult who did research into religion I can categorically say you're wrong. At every stage I challenged what I was told, and was encouraged to do so. However, I did so with an open mind, something Dawkins and yourself have obviously refrained from doing. You have fallen victim to the same concept that you criticise,ie, believing what you are told, not what is truth. Don't let arrogance destroy your search for truth.

[@MrThink613]

The best evidence for the existence of GOD (a supernatural source - by supernatural im mean a timeless-space-less-immaterial ultimate power) that has started the cosmos into existence from non-existence the fact tht there IS existence with laws we call nature, what force "BANGED" this into existence at the big Bang! i say this is evidence of a super natural a force greater than nature able to bring nature into existence i await a direct coherent rebuttal to the above straight forward reasoning

[@samus003]

I have to suspend common sense and have faith in the minds of a select few physicists? Sounds like religion to me..

[@FzuuyWzuuy]

69th like. \o/ Got here from /r/atheism.

[@nickynennett5146]

evolution theory just dumbs you down

[@0adammar]

....my response part 2...... Than, just notice what bunch of empty flow of meaningless words is that speach. Listen to: 0:16:05 to 0:16:30 and than: 0:18:40 to 0:19:05 - the same guy says things exactly opposite to each other, and of course says both of those thesis with beeing so full of himself. One of the main thesis: religion is an nonsens, but "scientific" fairy tails about the begining of the universe are true, although define the common sense...:) What a shame for a human reason....

[@OmNamashivaaya]

How can you discuss about nothing? You can not make anything from nothing. This is as foolish as what the religions are claiming.

[@pirateturns360]

This is as stimulating as watching a discussion between Behe and Lennox. Snooze.

[@R0meY0]

how did bacteria start?