RE: [asa] Meyer on C-SPAN2

I only get the digest, so I can't tell if others have already posted
this. But in case not ...
I just watched and listened to the Meyer talk on-line at
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/includes/templates/library/flash_p
opup.php?pID=288646-1&clipStart=&clipStop=

I got there via
http://www.c-spanarchives.org/library/index.php?main_page=product_video_
info&products_id=288646-1

I didn't see or hear any new arguments, but it is convenient to have
Meyer's arguments presented on-line in video format.

As always, the question comes down to how one proceeds when current
hypotheses for some scientific problem (in this case, the origin of the
first living things) are clearly unsatisfactory.

ID proponents put great stock in the argument that if it looks and
quacks like a duck, then it is a duck. Analogies comparing genetic
information to computer software, flagella to outboard motors, human
intelligence to any and every possible kind of intelligence (including
divine) - such similarities are taken as "inferences to the best
explanation."

The jump from "there's no better explanation" to "ID is the best
explanation" is made so quickly and so often, it must seem quite
natural and logical to some ID proponents.

I like ID better when it is criticizing over-confident statements by
evolutionary biologists. When ID proponents go further, not merely
pointing out gaps but claiming to have filled them, they make the same
kind of error as the overconfident evolutionists they are criticizing.
 
Charles (Chuck) F. Austerberry, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biology
Hixson-Lied Room 438
Creighton University
2500 California Plaza
Omaha, NE 68178
Phone: 402-280-2154
Fax: 402-280-5595
e-mail: cfauster@creighton.edu
http://groups.creighton.edu/premedsociety/
 
Nebraska Religious Coalition for Science Education
http://nrcse.creighton.edu
 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: asa-digest-owner@lists.calvin.edu
[mailto:asa-digest-owner@lists.calvin.edu]
Sent: Sunday, September 06, 2009 4:20 AM
To: asa-digest@lists.calvin.edu
Subject: asa-digest V1 #11049

asa-digest Sunday, September 6 2009 Volume 01 : Number
11049

----------------------------------------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2009 22:41:20 -0400
From: "Randy Isaac" <randyisaac@comcast.net>
Subject: [asa] Meyer on C-SPAN2

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I just finished watching Steve Meyer discussing his book "Signature in =
the Cell" on BookTV on C-SPAN2. It was recorded at the Seattle Art =
Museum on July 21. I highly recommend that any of you interested in this
= topic watch it. It will be aired 3 more times this weekend. The
schedule =
is:

* Saturday, September 5th at 7pm (ET)
* Sunday, September 6th at 7am (ET)
* Monday, September 7th at 12pm (ET)
* Tuesday, September 8th at 12am (ET)

Meyer is an excellent speaker and he did a great job summarizing his =
book. If you don't have the time and inclination to buy and read the =
book, at least see this summary. The last slide nets out the key ID =
argument, from his perspective.

In particular, note the Q&A. The second question concerns the connection
= with Francis Collins and the answer is worth watching the show. Other
= questions relate to Dawkin's view of randomness. And there's a
question = about ID being a god of the gaps argument. Record it if you
can.

Perhaps segments will be posted on YouTube soon, if they haven't =
already. But do watch this if you get a chance. It's an important =
backdrop to any discussion of the topic of DNA information, whether you
= agree or disagree.

Randy

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Received on Sun Sep 6 19:07:57 2009