Paul Davies: new comments on Information and life (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, March 20, 2020, 18:28 (1710 days ago) @ dhw

dhw: We are not discussing the case for design! We are discussing the confusing use of the term “information”, and he makes his case very clearly without any reference to that particular term! You then go on to quote him again – all beautifully written and argued, and not one mention of information.

DAVID: His reading about information from the ID folks gives this comment: (long quote ending: “And there is increasingly good evidence to question the idea of a purely undirected evolution.")

dhw: Why do you say his reading “about information”? He only mentions ID, and never ever uses the word information. Please stop inserting your silly terminology into an article that never uses it. Another quote, supporting McClintock and Shapiro, leads you to conclude:
DAVID: Unless you know the ID literature you can assume all you want about what he does not precisely mention. They are quoting him and loving it, So do I. Being 'confused' about information doesn't get rid of it. Mind has to create it.

dhw: Once more: Our author never once refers to information in his article, and it is the confusing use of this term which is the subject of our discussion. He is referring to the case for design, and the case against Darwinian evolution. Not the case for using the term which leads to information using information, and information being the source of life, and other linguistic tangles you keep getting yourself into.

Your view of ID is on the surface. The books and articles are filled with references to the use of information. There are long articles on Shannon information theory analysis of information in DNA. I've mentioned that before. The author has read the material, I'm sure, based on his comments.