I did see any responses to this message via just asa@calvin.edu. I am
resending it
on 9-2-2000 to include DeHaan and Burgy.
Bob DeHaan wrote:
> "The objection to all such mechanism is that they comprise
> what Walter Remine calls a smorgasbord of explanations, from which one
> selects the one that seems most plausible."
"Burgy" responded:
....
> To those who inhabit this list and claim the TE position, I stand in
> awe (at least sometimes) of your intellect and power of argumentation.
> What I say here is simply this -- you, and others, have failed
> to convince me that the TE position is "true." That it is useful -- that
> it can be defended from scripture -- that it is held by honorable
> scholars much more learned than I -- I do not dispute. But I cannot
> claim the position for myself.
Is there really just one most plausible theory of evolution? A TE is not
the best because a group of scientists find a Darwinian theory plausible to
them. Plausibility depends on its ability to explain reality. It involves
interpretations that will be based on the personal worldviews of the
interpreters.
I submit that there is no known one worldview that will be the best for
everyone. We are free to build our own personal worldviews that will
act as standards of reference for making our own decisions. Plausibility
will never establish consensus. We are all capable of building plausibility
into any story. All plausible theories or stories need to be tested. Burgy's
doubt is a healthy sign of seeking for a better personal worldview.
The current worldviews all seem to cluster around two opposing views, at
least in the West.
1. Emergent: "Accidents and chance lead to the emergence of intelligence".
They may be Darwinian or just selectively so. They support
metaphysical naturalism for interpretations. They are monistic
and deny any supernatural realm.
2. Designed: "Intelligent design has created many systems that allow
accidents and measures of chance".
Evidence of Intelligent design has been historically avoided by
science. We are fully capable of creating plausible theories
or stories for this dualistic worldview that accepts the
supernatural realm as part of reality.
There can be be elements of evolution in both perspectives. We may even
be able to see Darwinism within a design perspective. Plausibility only
requires frequent "confirmation", which can not establish a story as a
true scientific fact. We seem to need both of these opposing schools of
thought. Since God intended that we freely choose to believe in God, the
evidence for God's existence and presence must be kept subtle enough to
even hide the reality of freewill. God's design included that gift of
freedom. Building evidence of ID will not be easy. We can only share
our worldviews and avoid argumentation. Did not Jesus stress the
avoidance of force and personal contact to God for help? The emergent
view will deny any need for outside moral guidance.
It is a bootstrap approach.
Finally, choosing emergent or designed is split among scientists.
Cosmologists support design because of their allegiance to the Big Bang.
Do Darwinists support the Big Bang because of the presumed single
origin for the Universe? Hmmm?
Jim Stark
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