A. C. Grayling at Ways with Words, Dartington

The humanist philosopher A.C.Grayling spoke at Ways With Words at Dartington on Saturday 14 July 2007. Anthony Grayling is professor of philosophy at Birkbeck College, University of London and fellow of St Anne's College, Oxford. He is a British Humanist Association Distinguished Supporter of Humanism, and an Honorary Associate of the National Secular Society and of the Rationalist Association. He publishes widely on humanist philosophy (see eg his critique of John Gray's latest assault on humanism in New Humanist magazine.)

There were about 12 DH members in the audience in The Great Hall. The meeting was full. A.C.Grayling spoke for about 40 minutes and then took questions from the audience. He spoke about the "bad tempered" debate going on between religions and atheists, citing Dawkins and Hitchens as two putting forward the atheist case. He spoke of the need for a secular society and of the importance of humanist ideas. His talk was well received.

At the end he left to sign books outside (his latest books are Against all Gods and The Choice of Hercules). Afterwards, he joined a group of us for a cup of tea. He was with us for about half an hour. He was very supportive of Devon Humanists and we hope that we can arrange a future meeting at which he would be the principal speaker.

DH leaflets were made available at the book signing.

Peter A and Gordon.