Definitions (Evolution)

by dhw, Tuesday, April 01, 2008, 11:59 (5869 days ago) @ George Jelliss

George Jelliss compiled his list of definitions because of my statement (under 'Quotation from Darwin', 29 March) that "it's become clear on this forum alone that there is a great deal of confusion over what constitutes Darwinism, evolution and natural selection, and to what extent atheism is based on faith in chance." - This statement was not a request for help but was part of the preamble to my quotations from Dawkins, showing precisely how he misuses those terms in order to give the illusion that his atheism is backed by science. Unfortunately, the list of definitions, while actually illustrating the point I was making, also serves to distract attention from what Matt has called these "subversive" tricks. There is now, for instance, a discussion over whitecraw's definition of Science, which pushes aside the issue of how Dawkins and others (not only atheists, of course) use scientific terms to disguise the unscientific basis of their beliefs. I'm sure this is not a deliberate ploy on George's part, but since his list contained similar obfuscations (see my posting of 30 March at 9.51), I feel it would be a pity ... and no doubt Peter P. will agree with me ... if we lost sight of the original subject.