I understand the relationship of science, the human mind, and the notion of
an ID as follows: The first people who did science must have been those who
observed the regularity of nature (its intelligibility) and coupled that
with their ability to reason and the consequence was the birth of science.
The greatest mystery in science is why is mathematics so successful as a
language that deciphers and codifies the goings of nature. Closing the
circle that involves man, the creator of mathematics, nature, and God--the
creator of man both and nature-- solves that mystery. All practicing good
scientists are benefiting from the fruits of an ID but are blind to it.
It is their pride that refuses to acknowledge that obvious fact. The high
intelligence required of good scientists is but a shadow of the intelligence
that brought to whole thing into being. That is why I have a qualm about
the notion of detecting an ID. It has already been detected!!! And every
time we do good science we are attesting to that fact!! It is a folly to
think otherwise.
Moorad
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith B Miller <kbmill@ksu.edu>
To: asa@calvin.edu <asa@calvin.edu>
Date: Sunday, June 18, 2000 10:10 PM
Subject: Re: Dembski: 14 questions
>Here are my initial reactions:
>
>
>>>1. Detectability Problem --- How is design detected?
>
>I have not yet seen any methodology for this that can demonatrate anything
>other than the insufficiency of blind chance. A trivial and unremarkable
>conclusion.
>
>>>2. Functionality Problem --- What is a designed object's function?
>>>
>>>3. Transmission Problem --- How does an object's design trace back
>>>historically? (search for narrative)
>>>
>>>4. Construction Problem --- How was a designed object constructed?
>>>
>>>5. Reverse-Engineering Problem --- How could a designed object have
>>>been constructed?
>>>
>>>6. Perturbation Problem --- How has the original design been modified
>>>and what factors have been modified?
>>>
>>>7. Variability Problem --- What degree of perturbation allows continued
>>>functioning?
>>>
>>>8. Restoration Problem --- Once perturbed, how can original design be
>>>recovered?
>>>
>>>9. Constraints Problem --- What are the constraints within which a
>>>designed object functions well and outside of which it breaks?
>>>
>>>10. Optimality Problem --- In what way is the design optimal?
>
>These are all perfectly valid scientific questions that the
>scientific>community is already pursuing. Just replace the word "designed
>object"
>with "highly complex and integrated system."
>
>
>>>11. Ethical Problem --- Is the design morally right?
>>>
>>>12. Aesthetic Problem --- Is the design beautiful?
>>>
>>>13. Intentionality Problem --- What was the intention of the designer?
>>>
>>>14. Identity Problem --- Who is the designer?
>
>These are clearly not scientific questions. They are vitally important but
>not scientific.
>
>Keith
>
>
>
>Keith B. Miller
>Department of Geology
>Kansas State University
>Manhattan, KS 66506
>kbmill@ksu.ksu.edu
>http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~kbmill/
>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Mon Jun 19 2000 - 09:37:28 EDT