This episode is with Paul Zachary (PZ) Myers. He is an associate professor of biology at the University of Minnesota where he works in the field of developmental biology. He is also a founder and author of Pharyngula science blog. 

Here we talk about science based atheism, evolution of religion, god of gaps argument, origin and evolution of life, human values in the society, free speech and future of humanity.

Guest info: 

Blog website: https://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/  

Twitter: https://twitter.com/pzmyers

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PZMyersBiology

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Timestamps:

00:00:00 Introduction  

00:01:08 How did your scientific career started? 

00:03:24 PZ's view on atheism 00:05:53 Science based atheism  

00:08:29 Why we need to leave religion or God to become a scientist?  

0:10:36 Preconceived biases because of faith  

00:11:26 There's no clear definition of God  

00:13:00 God of gaps argument  

00:16:38 Can we bridge the gaps with science?  

00:19:12 Transition of chemistry to biology (origin of life) 

00:24:46 Evolution of life on the planet  

00:29:06 Multicellularity and Sexual reproduction  

00:34:59 Variation for natural selection  

00:40:53 Role of chance in biology  

00:44:45 Evolution-Development (Evo-Devo) biology  

00:52:42 Hox genes  

00:56:18 Evolutionary theory is most opposed theory!  

00:59:07 Evolution of religion  

01:01:58 Nature-nurture  

01:04:38 Free will  

01:07:28 Consciousness  

01:12:58 Teleology (Purpose) in science  

01:19:24 Religion in artificial intelligence  

01:26:48 Morality and atheism  

01:38:38 Meaning and purpose of life  

01:41:31 Spirituality  

01:46:07 Education and a dialogue  

01:49:30 Thank you!