The four students and their professor have come to their twelfth and last meeting in the coffee shop discussing Richard Dawkins' book Outgrowing God. The topic this time is Dawkins’ response to cosmic fine-tuning, and whether the claim in his book is correct - has our civilisation really outgrown God? Or have we rather outgrown Dawkins' views? Has atheistic naturalism as a worldview become more questionable in the recent years as science discovers more about the cosmos? Thomas, Astrid, Douglas and Hiromi summarize their views after studying Dawkins' book.

The topic in this episode is whether science points to atheism or naturalism as the best explanation of the universe. The students touch on the phenomenon of the Big Bang, cosmic fine-tuning, and the idea of a multiverse. Astrid argues that the probability of a life-permitting universe is astronomically low, to put it mildly. What is the difference between a universe coming from nothing and a universe created from nothing? If God created the universe, asks Thomas, where does God come from?

How do we recognise design? And how might design relate to evolution? Douglas starts by giving a summary of what Dawkins says about this. Does evidence in the natural world point to design? Douglas and Thomas don't think so, but they back different arguments against the design hypothesis. Hiromi's scepticism against the no design hypothesis is growing. She is interested in biology and brings a lot of information to the discussion, including the concept of irreducible complexity.

What is the concept of evolution about? What is the evidence for it? Dawkins claims in his book that although the world looks designed, it really isn't. He argues for this by pointing to what he considers flaws in the design of biological organisms. Thomas tries to defend this view, but the other students are sceptical. Even Douglas, his fellow atheist, is picking apart this argument. Sophie reminds the students to be aware of the different meanings of the word evolution. Hiromi even introduces a new word to the group: devolution. What on Earth is that?

The students discuss the concepts of science and faith, and the relationship between them. Professor Sophie asks if we can say that science and faith are different paths to knowledge? Does science provide more "certain" knowledge than faith does? Dawkins seems to think so. Hiromi thinks Dawkins reveals a bias against religion. Douglas points out that scientific beliefs are built upon other beliefs, so the "different path" idea is a misunderstanding, he thinks. Douglas thinks the state must be neutral in religious matters. Astrid is not so sure that is possible. Are human rights issues neutral?

What do the concepts of paradoxes and contradictions mean? What is the difference? This relates to the question of God. Astrid is giving a summarised version of the five arguments for God given by the famous medieval philosopher Thomas Aquinas, which almost gives Thomas a brain-meltdown. Almost. By the way, Astrid thinks Dawkins is making a category-mistake by comparing polytheistic gods with the Creator God of monotheism. Hiromi discovers the true meaning of worship. She also wants to know if the concept of the Trinity is a paradox or a contradiction. Thomas thinks it's a contradiction, but Douglas and Astrid disagree.

This time the students are discussing what it means to think critically, and how is critical thinking practised in Dawkins' book. There are different views. Douglas says that critical thinking means analysing, evaluating and reflecting on things that are being said. There is a big difference between claims and arguments. Critical thinking also means to discover logical contradictions. Self-contradictions can never be true. Thomas thinks the concept of an almighty God is self-contradictory, but Astrid disagrees.

What exactly are faith and belief? Are they the opposite of knowledge? What is meant by the terms "basic faith", "blind faith" or "enlightened faith"? Dawkins makes a distinction between blind faith and evidence-based faith or beliefs. Thomas likes that. But then Astrid asks about the faith in logic and reason, is that a blind faith? It seems there's a lot of beliefs we cannot do without. Hiromi also need to believe in true love. Thomas notices that.