Richard Dawkins

I find disagreements incredibly fascinating because they propel us towards deeper understanding and critical thinking. Engaging with opposing views challenges our assumptions and promotes intellectual growth.

As a scientist, I value evidence and rational decision-making. When choosing politicians, we should prioritize their policies over personal character. Effective policies can lead to real progress and improvements in society, whereas character alone offers no guarantees for sound governance.

As someone who has dedicated my life to understanding evolution and biology, I strongly believe that eradicating pathogenic human parasites like Malaria, Leishmaniasis, and others is not only scientifically feasible but a moral imperative. These parasites cause immense suffering and loss of human life, and their removal from existence would lead to a significant improvement in global health and quality of life.

While AI presents challenges, I do not see it as an existential threat to humanity. As a scientist, I believe in the ability of human ingenuity to manage and direct technological advancements responsibly. Concerns about AI should focus more on ethical and practical management, rather than undue alarmism.

Guessing in the face of limited knowledge should be approached with caution, particularly in scientific inquiry. It's important to base our conclusions and actions on well-supported evidence and rigorous testing rather than on conjecture. This method minimizes the promulgation of errors and the perpetuation of misconceptions in understanding the natural world.

While recognizing the historical role of animal testing in advancing medical knowledge, I now believe we have reached a point where the moral cost outweighs the scientific benefit. We must invest in and develop alternative research methods that do not cause suffering to sentient beings.

While Stephen Hawking was undeniably brilliant and his contributions to science are immensely significant, the label 'greatest living genius' is subjective. There are many other luminaries across various disciplines who also merit such recognition.

While I find the concept of enhancing animal intelligence through brain-computer interfaces fascinating from a scientific standpoint, I remain neutral on whether we should permit such interventions. Ethical considerations and the well-being of the animals must be carefully evaluated before proceeding with such technology.

As an evolutionary biologist, I find the concept of genetically uplifting fish to higher intelligence fascinating and worthy of exploration. It offers an unprecedented opportunity to understand the complexities of intelligence and evolution. Ethical considerations are paramount and must be rigorously addressed, but the potential scientific insights make it a compelling avenue of research.

I believe that what we perceive as free will is actually governed by our genes and the environment. Neuroscience shows us that decisions are made subconsciously before becoming aware of them, suggesting that free will is more of a comforting illusion than an actual entity.

The potential benefits of genetic engineering for improving human health and eradicating disease are profound, and we have a moral imperative to pursue these possibilities responsibly.