Person
Every book Richard Dawkins recommended on podcasts
Richard Dawkins explores evolutionary biology, the philosophy of science, simulation hypotheses, and classic science fiction during his in-depth podcast appearances on the Lex Fridman Podcast and The Joe Rogan Experience. As a prominent evolutionary biologist and author, Dawkins frequently bridges empirical science with imaginative literature that explores alternative realities. In the realm of science fiction, he has recommended and discussed the works of Daniel Galouye, highlighting novels such as Dark Universe and Counterfeit World as compelling explorations of simulated realities and unknown environments. He has also expressed great admiration for Fred Hoyle's pioneering science fiction novel The Black Cloud, alongside the works of Arthur C. Clarke and Carl Sagan's Contact, which he connects to themes of extraterrestrial signals and intelligence. Within his own intellectual journey, Dawkins emphasizes foundational scientific milestones, particularly recommending Charles Darwin's The Voyage of the Beagle. Additionally, he reflects on his own extensive literary contributions, such as The Blind Watchmaker and The God Delusion, using humor and clarity to dissect complex concepts of creation, religion, and evolutionary theory for his listeners.
Books recommended by Richard Dawkins
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Dark Universe
Dark Universe by Daniel F.
Recommended“well actually um I I have I suppose I could say that I've learned some some science from science fiction um I I me I mentioned Daniel galloy and that's one example but another of his novels called Dark Universe which is not terribly well known but it's a very very nice science fiction story”
Where to get it
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The Black Cloud
The Black Cloud by Fred Hoyle is a classic science fiction novel by the British astronomer that depicts an immense, non-carbon-based interstellar cloud intervening between the sun and Earth, leading to severe global cooling and threatening humanity.
Recommended“Fred hil's the black cloud oh by the way anything by Arthur C Clark I find very very wonderful too uh Fred Hall is the black cloud his first science fiction novel”
Where to get it
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The Time Sculptor
The Time Sculptor by Daniel Gallo is a speculative science fiction work exploring intricate concepts of time, reality, and human existence.
Recommended“but another of his novels called Dark Universe which is not terribly well known but it's a very very nice science fiction story”
Where to get it
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The Voyage of the Beagle
The Voyage of the Beagle by Charles Darwin is the celebrated natural history and journal account of the author's epic scientific expedition around the world.
Recommended“what um what books would you recommend people consider reading in their own intellectual Journey Darwin”
Where to get it
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Contact
Contact by Carl Sagan is a classic science fiction novel exploring humanity's first encounter with extraterrestrial intelligence.
Discussed“um another of his novels the um AA Andromeda which by the way the the the theme of that is taken up by Carl Sean science fiction novel another wonderful writer carlan contact where the idea is again we we will we will not be visited from Outer Space by physical bodies”
Where to get it
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Counterfeit World
Discussed“it's certainly an interesting thought experiment I first met it in a science fiction novel by Daniel galloy called um counterfeit world in which um it's all about I mean our heroes are running a gigantic computer which which simulates the world and um and something goes wrong”
Where to get it
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Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul
Discussed“Douglas Adams wrote a lovely book called the long dark teatime of the soul which had in which the Norse gods apart a vision”
Where to get it
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Prisoners of Faith
Prisoners of Faith is an investigative book by Lawrence Wright that explores the history and inner workings of Scientology.
Discussed“yeah I'm sure you read Lawrence Wright's book go ahead and read it but I mean I know the story the book is fantastic”
Where to get it
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Revelations and Translations: Book of Abraham and related manuscripts
Discussed“in addition to the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith purported to translate another book called The Book of Abraham which was in a different language”
Where to get it
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The Blind Watchmaker
The Blind Watchmaker by Richard Dawkins is a seminal science book that presents a rigorous defense of evolutionary biology and explains how complex organisms arise through natural selection rather than conscious design.
Discussed“I'm also humorous I mean I like to think it's a funny book but a lot of people do think it's hard in the other sense”
Where to get it
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The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon by Joseph Smith is a foundational religious text of the Latter Day Saint movement, which Smith purported to translate from golden plates.
Discussed“in addition to the Book of Mormon Joseph Smith purported to translate another book called The Book of Abraham”
Where to get it
Books Richard Dawkins wrote
- Outgrowing God
- The God Delusion
- River Out of Eden
- The Selfish Gene
- The Blind Watchmaker
- Unweaving the Rainbow
- An Appetite For Wonder: The Making of a Scientist
- The Greatest Show on Earth
- The Magic of Reality
Appearances
| Episode | Podcast | Date | Books |
|---|---|---|---|
| #87 – Richard Dawkins: Evolution, Intelligence, Simulation, and Memes | Lex Fridman Podcast | 2020-04-09 | 6 |
| #1366 - Richard Dawkins | The Joe Rogan Experience | 2019-10-21 | 7 |
Other mentions (10: passing, ad reads, own books)
“and you've articulate that in your new book and and I'll grow God and in God Delusion is the early indoctrination”
“and we have a new book out outgrowing God”
“and we have a new book out outgrowing God when does it come out is it out now it is out now”
“the new book outgoing God is sort of aimed at a younger audience and I like to think that can be read at any age”
“in the case of I mean I discuss it in outgrowing God in addition to the Book of Mormon”
“but even Abraham Lincoln for example made a speech were quoted in outgrowing God in which he said of course no nobody would seriously think”
“downloading free of charge as pdfs several of my books including The God Delusion and we'll be outgrowing God as well”
“downloading free of charge as pdfs several of my books including The God Delusion and we'll be outgrowing God as well”
“yes it's in two halves the first half is debunking God it begins with what we were talking about earlier this year number of different gods”
“and that's what the second half of outgrowing God is about”