RE: Phillip Johnson (and Methodological Naturalism)

From: Alexanian, Moorad (alexanian@uncw.edu)
Date: Thu Oct 16 2003 - 08:32:32 EDT

  • Next message: Howard J. Van Till: "Re: Phillip Johnson (and Methodological Naturalism)"

    Perhaps someone can answer a simple question. Intelligence in humans,
    based on consciousness and rationality, is not part of the physical
    universe and cannot be derived from scientific theories. Therefore, if
    such is needed in order to do unadulterated science, then whence does
    that intelligence come from? Isn't this the reason for supposing the
    existence of a being which is infinitely, compared to humans, more
    conscious and rational? Isn't that what ID is all about?

    Moorad

    -----Original Message-----
    From: asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu [mailto:asa-owner@lists.calvin.edu] On
    Behalf Of Howard J. Van Till
    Sent: Thursday, October 16, 2003 8:12 AM
    To: Michael Roberts; asa@calvin.edu
    Subject: Re: Phillip Johnson (and Methodological Naturalism)

    >From: "Michael Roberts" <michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk>

    > If the Ice Age was the result of the Flood then Glaciers and Moraines
    can be
    > seen to be intelligently designed

    Michael,

    Well, not exactly. Here's the problem. The pattern set by ID advocates
    seems
    to be that inanimate objects like stars and planets (which, I presume,
    include glaciers and moraines) are labeled "intelligently designed" when
    they are formed as a consequence of a robust (& fine-tuned) system of
    natural formational capabilities. Biotic things, on the other hand, are
    labeled "intelligently designed" when the system of natural capabilities
    is
    inadequate to do the job and needs to be supplemented by occasional
    episodes
    of non-natural form-imposing intervention by an unidentified,
    unembodied,
    choice-making agent who need not be God.

    So, sorry, but your glaciers and moraines can't be intelligently
    designed :)

    Howard Van Till



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