Dembski, science, and claims

From: Wesley R. Elsberry (welsberr@inia.cls.org)
Date: Sun Oct 01 2000 - 18:48:38 EDT

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    [Quote]

    It is the empirical detectability of intelligent causes that
    renders Intelligent Design a fully scientific theory, and
    distinguishes it from the design arguments of philosophers, or
    what has traditionally been called "natural theology." The
    world contains events, objects, and structures which exhaust
    the explanatory resources of undirected natural causes, and
    which can be adequately explained only by recourse to
    intelligent causes. Scientists are now in a position to
    demonstrate this rigorously. Thus what has been a
    long-standing philosophical intuition is now being cashed out
    as a scientific research program.

    [End Quote - WA Dembski,
    <http://www.discovery.org/viewDB/index.php3?program=CRSC&command=view&id=121>]

    [Quote]

    If not, I have no further argument--you will have to content
    yourself with my scientific and philosophical analyses.

    [End Quote - WA Dembski,
    <http://www.discovery.org/viewDB/index.php3?program=CRSC&command=view&id=116>]

    [Quote]

    There exists a reliable criterion for detecting design. This
    criterion detects design strictly from observational features
    of the world. Moreover it belongs to probability and
    complexity theory, not to metaphysics and theology. And
    although it cannot achieve logical demonstration it does
    achieve statistical justification so compelling has to demand
    assent. This criterion is relevant to biology. When applied
    to the complex, information-rich structures of biology, it
    detects design. In particular the complexity-specification
    criterion shows that Michael Behe's irreducibly complex
    biochemical systems are designed.

    [End Quote - WA Dembski, "Intelligent Design", pages 149-150.]

    I hereby request a copy of the data showing the application of
    the complexity-specification criterion to "the complex,
    information-rich structures of biology" which is referenced
    in the last quote.

    Wesley



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