Intelligent Design. Science or an evolution in marketing for creationism?

Troubleshooter · 04-23-2004, 12:19 PM

I attended a seminar about the new "wedge" plan of Intelligent Design proponents yesterday and it made me wonder about the cellarites.

What do you guys think?

Happy Monkey · 04-23-2004, 12:32 PM

Intelligent Design is not science. It is philosophy, and not particularly interesting philosophy at that. Saying that evolution is guided by an undetected external intelligence adds nothing to science except distraction.

Elspode · 04-23-2004, 12:46 PM

It is a backdoor scam for the Religious Right.

What I want to know is, what if we discover we were seeded by aliens? Does that make *them* God in the eyes of the Creationists, or do they just add them to the created mix?

jaguar · 04-23-2004, 01:27 PM

Crock of shit and sham science as a backdoor for christian fundies to sound vaguely legitimate.

Happy Monkey · 04-23-2004, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Elspode
What I want to know is, what if we discover we were seeded by aliens? Does that make *them* God in the eyes of the Creationists, or do they just add them to the created mix?

Actually, this is another problem with ID: It is an idea presented for inclusion in school curriculums that the proponents don't even believe! It was created as a way for creationists to take advantage of what they see as a weakness in their limited understanding of science. They think that because science can't prove that there was no ID, the scientific community must therefore accept it as just as valid as accepted science.

They don't understand (deliberately in many cases) that the reason that ID isn't science is that there is no conceivable way to disprove (or prove, without cooperation from the IDer) it. Thus, it is philosophy. Or, more accurately, an idea which could be fodder for philosophical discussion.

04-23-2004, 04:55 PM

Yup, its just one more variant of "God created the fossils." If anybody is interested in reading a very elegant and well articulated discussion of evolutionary biology, I suggest "The Blind Watch Maker," by Richard Dwarkins.

Happy Monkey · 04-23-2004, 05:06 PM

I believe that's "Dawkins". It's on my "to read" shelf.

hot_pastrami · 04-23-2004, 05:15 PM

I have no problem with people who believe in Creationism until they start trying to force their beliefs upon others. Especially when they try to twist science into supporting their viewpoint.

Anyone who declares ideas to be facts based solely on science's inability to disprove them is engaging in nothing more than philosophical masturbation.

04-23-2004, 06:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Happy Monkey
I believe that's "Dawkins". It's on my "to read" shelf.

yeah, sorry about the typo

04-23-2004, 12:19 PM	#1
Troubleshooter The urban Jane Goodall Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Florida Posts: 3,012	Intelligent Design. Science or an evolution in marketing for creationism? I attended a seminar about the new "wedge" plan of Intelligent Design proponents yesterday and it made me wonder about the cellarites. What do you guys think? __________________ I have gained this from philosophy: that I do without being commanded what others do only from fear of the law. - Aristotle

04-23-2004, 12:32 PM	#2
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	Intelligent Design is not science. It is philosophy, and not particularly interesting philosophy at that. Saying that evolution is guided by an undetected external intelligence adds nothing to science except distraction. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

04-23-2004, 12:46 PM	#3
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	It is a backdoor scam for the Religious Right. What I want to know is, what if we discover we were seeded by aliens? Does that make them God in the eyes of the Creationists, or do they just add them to the created mix? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

04-23-2004, 01:27 PM	#4
jaguar whig Join Date: Apr 2001 Posts: 5,075	Crock of shit and sham science as a backdoor for christian fundies to sound vaguely legitimate. __________________ Good friends, good books and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. - Twain

04-23-2004, 05:06 PM	#7
Happy Monkey I think this line's mostly filler. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: DC Posts: 13,575	I believe that's "Dawkins". It's on my "to read" shelf. __________________ _________________ \|...............\| We live in the nick of times. \| Len 17, Wid 3 \| \|_______________\| [pics]

04-23-2004, 04:55 PM	#6
marichiko Guest Posts: n/a	Yup, its just one more variant of "God created the fossils." If anybody is interested in reading a very elegant and well articulated discussion of evolutionary biology, I suggest "The Blind Watch Maker," by Richard Dwarkins.

04-23-2004, 05:15 PM	#8
hot_pastrami I am meaty Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Posts: 1,119	I have no problem with people who believe in Creationism until they start trying to force their beliefs upon others. Especially when they try to twist science into supporting their viewpoint. Anyone who declares ideas to be facts based solely on science's inability to disprove them is engaging in nothing more than philosophical masturbation. __________________ Hot Pastrami!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)