From: Richard McGough (richard@biblewheel.com)
Date: Tue Jul 29 2003 - 15:59:37 EDT
Re post: http://www.calvin.edu/archive/asa/200307/0618.html
I had written:
>
>> But it is
>> fascinating that [Glenn] went on to say that "ID-biogenesis deduces God/THE
>> DESIGNER from observational data--design, information, structure...." Do
>> you agree with this? Is ID-biogenesis based on scientific observations, as
>> stated by Glen Morton?
>
To which Howard replied:
>Glenn is free to clarify or comment on his own statement.
>
>I would not have stated it in the way quoted above. Here's how I would have
>said something similar:
>
>1. Advocates of ID-biogenesis are likely to appeal to observational data for
>support of their hypothesis that the universe is lacking certain formational
>capabilities that would be essential for the success of natural abiogenesis.
>
>2. Somewhere in their argumentation I would expect them to claim that they
>are able to demonstrate that P(A|N) < 10 exp (-150), where P(A|N) is the
>probability that abiogenesis could be actualized by the joint effect of all
>known and unknown natural processes (often misleadingly referred to as "by
>chance" by Dembski).
>
>3.No one actually knows enough to make that computation.
>
>4. Hence, any ID claim to have proved the need for ID-biogenesis is
>unfounded.
>
>5. Even if P(A|N) could be shown to be < 10 exp (-150), the identity of the
>form-conferring agent would remain unknown.
>
>Howard Van Till (just back from a pleasant family gathering)
>
Welcome back Howard. Your statement is a paragon of clarity. I agree with it completely.
The only thing I would add would be to note that proof through probability is not the only valid approach to the question. E.g. it is possible that science could assymptotically define areas of divine activity (abigogenesis, fine tuning, etc) and that the scientific consensus could change on the basis of the general advance of understanding without any appeal to probabilities per se.
Richard Amiel McGough
Discover the sevenfold symmetric perfection of the Holy Bible at http://www.BibleWheel.com
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