"As she finishes her book on the ID movement, I
urge Denyse not to fall ill with PJS (Phillip
Johnson's Syndrome), a condition of the brain,
esp in highly intelligent people, that causes
them to become unable to discern between
varieties of TE, such that everything becomes
"Darwinism" as PJ defines it. (And how does PJ
define it? See Charles Hodge.)"
Ted, hi!
Your concern for my intellectual health is much
appreciated. Eventually I will read all the
posts; I always try to look at yours.
I have no difficulty assuming that there are so
many varieties of theistic evolutionism that I
lose the thread after a while. However, there IS
a thread. TE usually seems to mean that there is
no evidence for God's intelligence or agency in
the world we see. Faith is then an exercise in
irrational choice.
In other words, theistic evolutionism is a
classic "modernist" point of view. Science is
rational but faith is not.
The ID people may be right or wrong in their
assertions, but that must be determined from
evidence. As such, I think they are much closer
to the heart of science.
Having monitored this list for what must be a
year now (can't swear to the exact amount of
time), I doubt that very many people on it would
accept any type of actual critical thinking on
Darwinism. Any more than a Marxist would accept
actual critical thinking on Marxist economics.
Accepting critical thinking means accepting that
the view you favour may have weaknesses or be
incorrect.
The problem is that, eventually, the only way to
deal with a system that cannot sustain critical
thinking is to trash it. It will not allow
itself to be reformed.
If any of you would really permit critical
thinking about Darwinism, you are free to write
critical thinking exercises and submit them to
textbook publishers.
Who knows, despite your best efforts, there may
well be a market for your work in future years,
and my blessings would go with you.
Why not help open the windows instead of jamming
them shut?
Denyse
-- To see what's new in faith and science issues, go to www.designorchance.com My next book, By Design or By Chance?: The Growing Controversy Over the Origin of Life in the Universe (Castle Quay Books, Oakville) will be published Spring 2004. To order, call Castle Quay, 1-800-265-6397, fax 519-748-9835, or visit www.afcanada.com (CDN $19.95 or US$14.95). Denyse O'Leary 14 Latimer Avenue Toronto, Ontario, CANADA M5N 2L8 Tel: 416 485-2392/Fax: 416 485-9665 oleary@sympatico.ca www.denyseoleary.comReceived on Fri Mar 12 09:43:35 2004
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