The issue of chance... (My own introduction) (Evolution)

by Matt S. , Friday, June 05, 2009, 23:09 (5448 days ago) @ David Turell

Mr. Turell, - I take what you say as a compliment, though usually I prefer to be shown what I do wrong. (My personality type comes with a thick skin.) - I think we were describing the same "Kuhnian" process from different perspectives. In using the Darwin analogy I intended to demonstrate exactly that part of Kuhn's system you were talking about--how a model gets displaced. - In regards to the chance vs. design issue, part of my own problems in accepting design is due to a nuanced logical problem nested in the underlying philosophy of natural science. Of note is a particular assumption in regards to the supernatural, specifically "Supernatural phenomenon cannot be discerned from physical phenomenon." This assumption is accepted by the broadest range of scientists (as you are certainly aware most scientists are theistic on some level, contrary to Dawkins' assertion.) - I know of no scientist that will claim the method can be applied to supernatural phenomenon. Well, Dawkins. But my own critiques of Dawkins' arguments are because I feel he views certain non-binary questions as binary questions. - Would you agree at large that god appears to take no great interest in the day-to-day dealings with people here on earth? - I ask because I feel that the god of deism is best suited as the potential creator, in which case, abiogenesis is a physical problem and the only invocation of a god is in getting the ball rolling in the first place. (Big bang.) But how could you detect the deist God? - Am I also correct in that your leaning towards design is primarily due to your incredulity of our complexities? If I am, how is this reasoning different than the "God of the Gaps?" How can we detect the creator, if we accept a supernatural being? Pascal's torment lies in this area. God is either bound by logic or his ability to influence this world is constrained in some way. Have you investigated Process theology? - Oh, and thank you for your compliment on my general skepticism. I do sometimes let my mouth run ahead of my better judgment but I try to as self-correcting as possible. Thanks again for your patience!