The derivation of (yes, incomplete, but useful) arithmetic from basic axioms, or the derivation (in another sense) of reasonably reliable arithmetic from our evolved intuition, is a perfect example of complexity arising from simplicity. There's no comparison.
And in a more abstract sense — the transuniversal truth of arithmetic, not the practical discovery or application of it, nor any attempts to formalize it — there's nothing to "arise" at all.
In any case, the "Therefore Dawkins and his opponents are equally wrong" sounds like a non-sequitur. A more understandable conclusion would be "I am wrong about the implications of the beliefs of Dawkins and his opponents." He basically says "If you believe in Intelligent Design, you must believe that God decided that 2+2 would equal 4. You don't believe that, therefore your belief system is inconsistent or you are a hypocrite. If you believe in evolution by natural selection, you must believe that 2+2 evolved to equal 4. You don't believe that, therefore your belief system is inconsistent or you are a hypocrite." He's just making up new beliefs, ascribing them to his opponents, and pointing out their ridiculousness.
Ah ok, I guess I shouldn't have posted this on lesswrong.com - Really, it's a book that muses about the possibility of a mathematical universe. Mind is biology. Biology is chemistry. Chemistry is physics. Physics being math. Mind perceives math, thus the universe exists physically. Erase the "baggage" and all that's left is math. It explicitly states that all assertions are pure speculation, philosophical thought, not science. I think it's a very beautiful idea. This quote thus might be a bit out of context.
More info here: http://www.marginalrev...
A monthly thread for posting rationality-related quotes you've seen recently (or had stored in your quotesfile for ages).
ETA: It would seem that rationality quotes are no longer desired. After several days this thread stands voted into the negatives. Wolud whoever chose to to downvote this below 0 would care to express their disapproval of the regular quotes tradition more explicitly? Or perhaps they may like to browse around for some alternative posts that they could downvote instead of this one? Or, since we're in the business of quotation, they could "come on if they think they're hard enough!"