Richard Dawkins: 'I was confirmed at my prep school at the age of 13.'

I was confirmed at my prep school at the age of 13.

In Richard Dawkins' quote, "I was confirmed at my prep school at the age of 13," he references a personal milestone in his life. The act of confirmation, typically associated with religious significance, holds particular importance to Dawkins not because of its spiritual connotations, but rather due to its role in the shaping of his early ideological and philosophical beliefs.Confirmation, traditionally found in religious contexts, marks a stage in one's faith journey where an individual affirms their devotion and commitment to a particular belief system. However, for Dawkins, the confirmation at his prep school encompassed a broader sense of acknowledgment and acceptance. It was not blindly accepting a set of predetermined beliefs but rather forging his intellectual identity.This simple statement by Dawkins serves as a springboard for a deeper discussion on the power of philosophical confirmation. While confirmation ceremonies often focus on religious doctrines, they inherently entail an active choice - an individual must willingly affirm their beliefs, whether they align with religious, moral, or philosophical values.In philosophical terms, confirmation relates to the idea of epistemology, the branch of philosophy concerned with the nature of knowledge and belief. The process of confirmation forces individuals to reflect upon what they truly believe and solidify their understanding of the world around them. Much like how Richard Dawkins underwent an intellectual "confirmation" process at his prep school, we should also delve into the core of our beliefs and values, questioning them, and confirming or revising them as we grow.It is interesting to compare Dawkins' concept of confirmation to René Descartes' famous philosophical proposition, "Cogito, ergo sum," which translates to "I think, therefore I am." While apparently distinct, the idea of confirmation shares similarities with Descartes' famous statement as it also emphasizes the importance of individual introspection and self-affirmation. Both concepts emphasize taking ownership of one's beliefs and holding the responsibility to critically evaluate and confirm them.However, a notable difference arises in the motivation behind these two philosophical ideas. Descartes' proposition aimed to establish the existence of the self, creating a foundation for knowledge, whereas Dawkins' confirmation revolves around shaping one's beliefs and ideologies. Unlike Descartes' focus on personal identity and foundational knowledge, Dawkins' confirmation reflects a dynamic and evolving intellectual journey.In conclusion, Richard Dawkins' quote about his confirmation at his prep school at the age of 13 goes beyond its surface-level significance. It serves as an open door to explore the broader philosophical concept of confirmation, an active process of acknowledging and affirming one's beliefs. By juxtaposing the idea of confirmation with Descartes' foundational proposition, we observe the similarities and differences in their underlying motivations, revealing the dynamic nature of intellectual growth and self-reflection. Through this lens, we are encouraged to engage in our personal journeys of confirmation, laying the foundation for a deeper understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.