Thursday, October 19, 2006

No Philosophical Agendas Here

Interesting quotes from biology textbooks. Remember, only theocratic morons think there is some sort of incompatibility between neo-Darwinism and theism. Evolutionary scientists are utterly neutral on the question, and, in fact, have nothing to say about it.

Also, check out this really fun and heated debate between Richard Dawkins and David Quinn. Two fine intellects crossing swords is a rarity, and the debate is definitely worth a listen. BTW, I find it interesting that Dawkins states flatly that he is "just not interested in free will". Also, the accents are quite charming. My prayer is that eventually Richard Dawkins will have some sort of Road to Damascus conversion. Now that would be fascinating.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is slightly refreshing to at last see closet creationists admit that their objections to evolution are ultimately religious in nature, and have nothing to do with the bogus scientific claims they hid behind in the past. The clear implication is that teaching their suggested alternatives (whether it is called creation science, intelligent design, or something else) would be a state endorsement of religion. Good luck with that!

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Matteo has brought to my attention this very interesting discussion between Quinn and Dawkins. I do offer a polite criticism, Matteo. In your introductory note, you contribute to the confusion (though I do not believe intentionally), by referring to "evolutionary scientists" as an ideological block. I am a bona fide, practicing evolutionary scientist as well as a Christian. This is not an insignificant category of people in terms of numbers or import. I have struggled for more than thirty years to understand for myself and to help others understand why this is not an absurdity. I share this labor with many better known people. This field of debate is littered with amateurs of all sorts who continually muddy these waters by imprecise thinking and the misuse of terminology. Though I suspect that many of those, unlike you Matteo, are guilty of creating confusion do so frombecause of poor intentions or ignorance.

Matteo said...
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Matteo said...

milwaukeedave--

My introductory note was more along the lines of "it is not the case that there do not exist evolutionary scientists pushing a philosophical agenda" and not along the lines of "all evolutionary scientists push an agenda". The quotes from the textbooks illustrate the first point, not the second, and that was my only intention.