Letter: Lord Taverne obituary

Dick Taverne's Unwavering Stance for Reason Over Dogma

The passing of Dick Taverne leaves behind a legacy that embodies the values he tirelessly advocated for throughout his illustrious career as a politician. His unwavering commitment to reason, evidence-based decision-making, and openness laid the foundation for a more civilised society. A true humanist at heart, Taverne never shied away from challenging traditional norms or ideological conveniences, consistently putting forth a bold case for rational thought.

One of his most significant contributions was founding the Institute for Fiscal Studies and later co-founding Sense About Science, organizations that sought to promote scientific inquiry and critical thinking in public discourse. His influential book, The March of Unreason (2005), succinctly articulated his concerns about the growing influence of dogma over evidence-based reasoning – a theme that underscored his approach to politics.

In the House of Lords, Taverne championed several progressive causes, including secularism, humanist marriages, assisted dying, and advocating for the rights of non-religious individuals in both the UK and internationally. His dedication to these causes was characterized by his calm, rigorous, and humane demeanor – an approach that not only advanced social justice but also showcased a remarkable ability to promote ethical decision-making.

Taverne's enduring legacy is built on two pillars: the ideals he championed and the manner in which he pursued them. As a humanist leader, he demonstrated how a commitment to reason can underpin a courageous public life, one that seeks to address complex social issues with empathy, clarity, and unwavering conviction – a beacon of hope for those seeking to build a more inclusive and rational society.

I'm so sad to hear about Dick Taverne's passing . But his legacy is definitely something to celebrate! I mean, the guy was all about reason and evidence over dogma and ideology - that's like, super refreshing in today's world . He co-founded some awesome organizations like Sense About Science, which is doing amazing work to promote critical thinking and scientific inquiry. And his book "The March of Unreason" is like, totally a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the importance of rational thought .

I'm also loving how he championed progressive causes like secularism, humanist marriages, and assisted dying - these are like, so important issues that need more attention and support . And his calm and humane demeanor is exactly what we need more of in politics today - less drama, more substance . All in all, Dick Taverne was a true pioneer and a shining example of how reason and empathy can lead to real change .

I'm really going to miss Dick Taverne's voice in the public sphere . He was always so calm and collected when discussing sensitive topics, which is exactly what we need more of these days. I think his work with Sense About Science was instrumental in promoting critical thinking and challenging the status quo. It's a shame he left us too soon . As a society, we're still grappling with issues like secularism and assisted dying, but Taverne's legacy will continue to inspire people to have tough conversations about what it means to be human . Let's keep his spirit of reason and empathy alive!

just heard about dick taverne's passing he was literally the ultimate voice of reason in politics i've been following his work with sense about science and it's amazing how much progress we've made since he co-founded that org my friends and i were just talking about how his legacy is still super relevant today like, who else is gonna speak up for humanism and secularism in a world where dogma is trying to hold us back? anyway, his book "the march of unreason" was a total game-changer anyone reading it should be totally inspired by his courage

I'm so saddened by the loss of Dick Taverne . His commitment to reason & evidence-based decision making is something we need more of in this world . I think he's an inspiration to people like me who are passionate about critical thinking . It's amazing how much difference one person can make when they're not afraid to challenge the status quo . He's a reminder that even in today's polarized society, we should strive for open-mindedness & empathy . His legacy will live on through the organizations he founded & the people he inspired . We should all take a page from his book & be more like him - calm, rigorous, and humane .

man this dude dick taverne was literally the real deal he always put reason over dogma and it's so inspiring to see someone who's not afraid to challenge the status quo his work on sense about science and the institute for fiscal studies is still super relevant today, we need more people like him advocating for critical thinking and evidence-based decision making in politics

I'm so sorry to hear about Dick Taverne's passing... it's like losing a guiding light in a world that sometimes needs reminding of the importance of reason over dogma . His tireless efforts to promote critical thinking, scientific inquiry, and human rights have left an indelible mark on our society . It's heartening to see how his legacy will continue to inspire future generations to be brave, empathetic, and informed decision-makers . Let's keep his spirit alive by embracing the values he stood for – kindness, compassion, and a commitment to evidence-based thinking

Honestly, it's about time someone remembered Dick Taverne's contributions to making the UK slightly less dogmatic . His legacy is definitely one for the books – who wouldn't want to be remembered as a champion of reason over, you know, actual facts? But seriously, his work on promoting scientific inquiry and critical thinking is still super relevant today, even if it's not exactly a sexy topic .

man what a legend dick taverne always kept it real, you know? his legacy is all about promoting critical thinking over dogmatic thinking & it's so needed in today's world where people are more polarized than ever like he wasn't afraid to challenge the status quo or have his opinions challenged himself - that takes courage and a commitment to evidence-based decision making is so underrated imo

I'm genuinely saddened by the loss of Dick Taverne . As I reflect on his legacy, I think it's essential to recognize that his unwavering commitment to reason and evidence-based decision-making was a breath of fresh air in a world where dogma often reigns supreme . His efforts to promote critical thinking and scientific inquiry have left an indelible mark on our society, particularly in the UK . It's remarkable to see how he approached complex issues with empathy, clarity, and conviction . I'm reminded of the power of humanism in driving positive change and creating a more inclusive society . As we move forward, it's crucial that we continue to build upon his legacy by promoting critical thinking, evidence-based decision-making, and open-mindedness .

I'm really saddened by Dick Taverne's passing . It feels like we've lost an angel on earth who genuinely cared about creating a better world. His work with the Institute for Fiscal Studies and Sense About Science was so ahead of its time, and it's crazy to think that these organizations are still fighting the good fight today .

What I admire most about Taverne is his unwavering courage to speak truth to power, even when it meant going against the status quo . His commitment to humanism and reason was truly inspiring, and I love how he didn't shy away from tackling sensitive topics like assisted dying or secularism with empathy and clarity .

As a society, we need more people like Taverne who are willing to challenge our assumptions and push for progress . His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the organizations he helped create . Let's continue to carry the torch of reason and compassion forward in his honor .

"An investment in knowledge pays the best interest."

I'm still trying to process the loss of Dick Taverne... his passing leaves this world a little emptier . The thought of someone as brilliant, compassionate & unapologetic as him is just heartbreaking . His unwavering commitment to reason over dogma was a breath of fresh air in an age where people are more inclined to shout than listen . I mean, who else was willing to challenge the status quo like that? his work on Sense About Science & Institute for Fiscal Studies is still so relevant today . It's disheartening to think about how much we've lost with him... but at least his legacy lives on .

I just heard about Dick Taverne's passing and it really hits me how much we need people like him in politics today . His dedication to reason, evidence-based decision-making, and humanism is so refreshing in a world where everyone seems to be shouting over each other . I mean, who else is going to have the guts to challenge dogma and promote critical thinking? As someone who's all about being open-minded and respectful ( Forum Guidelines ), I think Taverne's legacy will inspire a new generation of leaders to take a more nuanced approach to policy-making. Fingers crossed!

So another legend bites the dust... Dick Taverne may be gone but his legacy lives on . I'm sure it's a relief to the dogmatic masses that someone who actually thought with their brain is no longer around .

I mean, who needs facts and figures when you can just shout "I've got a vision!" at the top of your lungs? Taverne's approach was so refreshing - all that science-y stuff, how boring! Give me a good old-fashioned passionate rant any day .

But in all seriousness, it's a shame he won't be around to see the world continue down its illogical path... I mean, progress . His contributions to secularism and humanist marriages were real game-changers .

RIP Dick Taverne . May your legacy inspire future generations to think with their hearts rather than their heads .

man ... reading about Dick Taverne's passing is like going back in time to the early 2000s ... he was one of those rare politicians who actually talked sense ... I remember his book "The March of Unreason" like it was yesterday ... people were already getting skeptical about science and reason, but Taverne just wouldn't back down ... the thing is, he wasn't a hero in the classical sense, he just did what needed doing without seeking to be a hero ... his calmness and dedication to facts over ideology are still an inspiration today ... we could use more of that in politics right now

Taverne's legacy is like a breath of fresh air , reminding us that reason & evidence matter .

I think it's so important to remember the impact one person can have when they put their values and principles into action, especially when it comes to promoting critical thinking and evidence-based decision making . Dick Taverne was all about challenging norms and pushing for progress, not just in politics but also through his work with organizations like Sense About Science . It's a great reminder that we can make a difference by staying true to ourselves and standing up for what we believe in . And let's be real, it's pretty cool that he had the courage to write an entire book about this stuff - The March of Unreason is definitely on my to-read list !