My favorite is George Carlinh.

Being familiar with all, I resonate more with Christopher Hitchens. I like his charisma and his command of the English language. He was both well informed, stern and frank, as well as witty and nonchalant. If the Philosopher king is the ultimate ruler, the scientist with a heart is the ultimate advisor. To me, Hitchens is the scientist with a heart.

"Science does not care about your feelings" is a common saying these days. I am an avid proponent of science, but at times scientists tend to come off as arrogant, a sort of intellectual superiority meets moral superiority. A sort of we know best coupled with an ax to grind.

In Hitchens, I could not see it that much, if at all. He seems to be simply a man of reason, who was against authoritarianism, in its many forms and who valued the individual's freedom of expression. These principles guided his philosophy. This is why he resonated with me more than the other scientist.

I admire the work of all the other scientists as well: Sam Harris, Richard Dawkins, and Daniel Dennett - listed in order of familiarity with their work. Harris and Dawkins are interchangeable in my second and third spots. They are both well informed, articulate polymaths like Hitchens, but lack his gravitas. This charm is important because it helps temper, the aforementioned indifference that often accompanies scientific discovery. Another example is Neil Degrasse Tyson, whose eruditeness and genial nature make him one of the most popular scientists.

Counter to this is evident in Harris' and Dawkins' assessment of Islam. They bring up very good points but articulate it in ways that can come across as harboring some sort of implicit bias towards Islam. This is a perfect example of the " intellectual superiority meets moral superiority" mentioned above. The meal is well prepared and hearty, but has a slightly unpleasant aftertaste. I enjoy listening to both and value their works, and would be remiss not to mention this analysis.

Daniel Dennett's work is a recent acquisition of mine and I need time to give him a proper assessment. I enjoy listening to his views on consciousness and will continue to do so in the coming months. I haven't sense that arrogance yet.............Fingers crossed

On Bass guitar, Sam Harris. On lead vocals, Christopher Hitchens, On drums, Dan Dennet and Richard Dawkins on lead guitar!

Christopher Hitchens was articulate and brilliant. He eviscerated theists with logic.

Hitch for sure. Harris is a close second, but can never have the presence, charisma and oratorical skills Hitch had. I often thought of Hitch as a blunt force weapon; obliterating the overall argument with his rhetorical wit. Harris reminds me of more of a scalpel; dissecting the argument and pulling each part out piece by piece.

I don't follow any of these. I could think before even hearing about them.

Even though I have a greater admiration for Dennett and Harris and feel closer to their brand of atheism, i love the fiery take-no-prisoners approach of Dawkins and, of course, Hitchens.

Hitchens got my vote though. The man could eviscerate a flawed argument like no other.

I think we need a new list of our favourite atheists in a poll: add Matt Dillahunty and Stephen Fry to the above list. I fear that Dennett, for all his wisdom and knowledge, is one of the most boring speakers ever.

I’m not even familiar with the last two...Dawkins is becoming boring and like a mirror image of an evangelist. Hitch was in a class of his own in having the erudition and ability to eviscerate any theist’s argument.

Dawkins for his work.
As far as I see he just made science and then was dragged to the atheist discussion because of the negationist nature of religious fanatics.
The others are more philosophical and directly inserted in the religious discussion.

But Hitchens is the most funny to see, his answers and discussions on interviews, Q&A sessions and debates are priceless.

none of them particularly means anything to me. i don't need convincing that there are no gods; i've been an atheist since i was 15 and i'm a lot older than 15 now. i have nothing against the named gentlemen, and don't even know who the last one is. they just hold no particular interest for me. the reference to horsemen, too, is a christian thing, and i've never been a christian. is their purpose really to bring about an apocalypse? gee. i would like to think better of them than that. my heroes of that general ilk include but are not limited to carl sagan, hypatia, richard feynman, neal de grasse tyson, isaac asimov, yeah i know, most of 'em are dead. it happens.

g

I like ‘em all but Hitchens was the best.

None of the above. They are only in it for the money and notoriety. The know their stuff, to be sure; but isn't following them the same as following a preacher or televangelist?

I refuse to choose. I love them all!

Of he four in Terry Pratchett's universe (Death, War, Famine, and Pestilence) I like Death the best, followed closely by Chaos who replaced Pestilence.

I liked Harris. His first book, The End of Faith, got me started, but I have lost interest sice his ast book and his "podcasts"! Dennett tries too hard trying to play the philosopher. Dawkins is good, but is pretty much stuck on the evolution argument. Hitchens is brilliant and covers the whole spectrum of opposition to the insanity of religion. His debates are masterful. For anyone here that doesn't know Hitchens, check out his debate with Tony Blair or the one with Stephen Fry v a lady from Parliament and an African Catholic bishop. GROG

I like them all.

All good in their own right, however Hitchens lead this pack by far. Sadly gone too soon.

I'm going to be shallow here and say Hitchens was sexy as all hell. (despite some dubious sexist "women aren't funny" comments). His quick wit got me going.

What is a horseman without the horse?

Of these four, I like Dan best. They are/were all smart men, but none of them my favorite thinkers. They're all too fundamentalist. I think the brothers, Bret and Eric Weinstein, for example, are more broadly aware.

None not that familiar with their work.

Bojack Horseman

What a tough one. But I would give the nod to Hitch.