Philip A. Stahl - Atheism - Agnosticism/Atheism - Religion/Spirituality

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Expert Profile: Philip A. Stahl

Expertise: I specialize in the areas of scientific materialism and consciousness described as a materialist epiphenomenon. Also can answer questions pertaining to general atheism, atheist-agnostic differences etc.

Experience in the area
I have been an atheist for over 27 yrs. and have written two books on the subject: 'The Atheist's Handbook to Modern Materialism'(2000), and 'Atheism" A Beginner's Handbook' (due out next month).

Organizations
Intertel, American Atheists, American Mathematical Society, American Astronomical Society, American Geophysical Union

Publications
Atheist articles: 'The American Atheist' magazine, assorted U.S. newspapers (e.g. Baltimore Sun); two books (already mentioned in experience section); papers-articles published in Intertel's Journal: Integra.

Education/Credentials
Master of Philosophy in Physics. Also took more than 3 yrs. of theology and metaphysics courses at a Catholic University (1964-67) - before I became an atheist. Thus, I have much more religious familiarity & background than many atheists.

Awards and Honors
Writers' Digest Award for the essay 'The Atheist in America' (2000), Government of Barbados research in solar physics award (1980-84), AAS Solar Physics Award (1984)

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What do you like about this subject? Atheism-materialism is a useful subject to provide an antidote for so much of the religious nonsense that abounds today. The trick is to get people to listen, to read - or at least ask questions!

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field? I want to see how much more of human consciousness can be accounted for in the physicalist setting, once we proceed further into quantum field theory. I believe that QFT, not ancient theological doctrines, will have the final say.

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know: There are many prominent atheists out there. People don't know about them, usually until they die. Such atheists have included: Katherine Hepburn, Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov. Einstein himself was an "agnostic atheist".

Something controversial or provocative about this subject In a recent opinion poll, 52% of Americans said they would not vote for a "well-qualified" atheist, if one were to run for public office.

Average Ratings
Prestige Points: 210
Knowledge	9.86 Best of the best
Clarity of Response	10.0 Best of the best
Timeliness	10.0 Best of the best
Politeness	10.0 Best of the best
Number Of Questions (in Past 24 Hours)		0
Max Questions to be Asked (in 24 Hour period)		5
Total Questions (since joining AllExperts)		27

Recent Reviews from Users

Knowl	Clarity	Time	Politeness	Date
10	10	10	10	11/24/08
10	10	10	10	04/22/08
10	10	10	10	04/18/08
10	10	10	10	10/25/07
9	10	10	10	07/05/07

User Comments

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Recent Answers from Philip A. Stahl

2008-11-23 Coming out of Closet: Hello, In a way, it's not too puzzling as to why believers behave as they do. (Certainly in regard to their reactions to non-believers). I believe at root this is a reflection of a fundamental insecurity...

2008-11-20 Suggestion: Hello, This is a very difficult question, but one which many of us (atheists) face and which we each have to solve in our own way. As a strong adherent to a Materialist ethics - which decrees "first...

2008-11-19 Age of becoming atheist.: Hello, There is really no set age at which a person becomes an atheist. There are some, in fact, who are fortunate to be born into atheist families who learn atheism "at mom's knee" so to speak. They...

2008-09-16 The laws of nature and their origin ?: Hello, Okay, I will play this game - but first a few "ground rules". My personal opinion is a subjective response not an objective assessment - hence it will be impossible to rate me on something like...

2008-07-08 Quantum Conciousness: Hello, Well, this is some pretty heady stuff - and much of it is obscure (if one has not been exposed to quantum mechanics) but let me see what I can do. Take neuronal assemblies (which make up discrete...