Re: What does ID mean?

Massimo Pigliucci (pigliucci@utk.edu)
Thu, 23 Apr 1998 14:06:26 -0400

Dear Moorad,

> Mathematical models in meteorology make short term predications, days
> rather
> than weeks. As such weather models with probabilistic predications
> constitutes a science. Evolution is in a boat of its own named the
> Titanic.
>

I'm sorry but I think I really *got you* here! What do you mean by that?
Evolutionary theory is perfectly capable of producing mathematical
models and predictions, both on the short and long run. As in
metereology, short term predictions work best, simply because of the
inevitability of historical contingencies affecting a complex problem.

But evolution certainly IS a hard science AND a rational enterprise.

(unlike, I might add, any blubbering about supernatural beings... ;-)

ciao,
Massimo

--******************************************************************Massimo Pigliucci, Assistant Professor of Ecology and EvolutionSociety for the Study of Evolution "Dobzhansky" AwardeeDept. of Botany, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-1100phone 423-974-6221 fax 0978
Lab page http://fp.bio.utk.edu/pglScience & Society http://fp.bio.utk.edu/sandsDarwin Day http://fp.bio.utk.edu/darwinRationalists of East Tennessee http://www.korrnet.org/reality
"I used to think that the brain was the most wonderful organ in mybody.  Then I realized who was telling me this."                -- Emo Phillips******************************************************************