Re: [asa] Crossing the Divide

Michael,
   
  My expectation is not one of competency, but one of mere interest and will to inclusion. According to the ASA mission, history, anthropology, sociology, psychology, economics and other 'human-social' sciences are part of ASA's recruitment field. Yet so little is done in these areas, such that yes, you are correct, "virtually all [at ASA] are physical scientists." This is a great weakness of ASA in my opinion; the absence of diversity and of relevant, representative voices in the contemporary academy. I have identified this as a problem, yet it seems nothing has been done to change the fact.
   
  It is not 'wise' to refrain from learning about human-social thought.
   
  For example, Christine's 'discovery' of ASA was not due to a 'reaching out' to her, but rather from a 'internet age' discovery' on her part. The questions raised in 'crossing the divide' are mainly psychological ones; one wouldn't turn to a geologist with questions of identity and community if one wanted reasoned and thoughtful answers. Yet why does ASA not attract more human-social scientists? This would give it a more balanced perspective on things such as i+d and 'evolutionary ethics' that few reasons could be found against it.
   
  On the one hand I applaud ASA and CSCA as unique congregations of scientifically-minded Christians. On the other hand, as with the example of being a 'haven' for (strong) TE/EC's over against IDs, I think ASA is unfortunately dating itself and showing how irrelevant its stance can be in the contemporary era. The EDGE, for example, is far better at self-promotion, far more effective and influential media-wise than ASA, in its bid to promote a '3rd culture,' which would all but destroy (by marginalisation) ASA's message. I don't for a moment doubt that someone in the ASA could launch a counter-example to Edge. However, it just doesn't seem to be a priority here.
   
  My point remains: TE/ECs seem uninterested in the divide between natural sciences and human-social sciences. Why? Is it because of too much 'science and religion' discourse? Maybe this is 30 years ahead of the situation in your land. It is certainly not behind it.
   
  Likewise, Michael, member of CIS, nothing you nor anyone else (q. McGrath) there has done has adequately countered the tide of atheism that Richard Dawkins has launched upon the world. Your TE/EC status quo view has been suitable/convenient for Dawkins' apologetic, while causing problems for Christian unity. If you would expand your views to incorporate social-humanitarian thought, this would give you leverage and respectability in countering Dawkins and co. who are intent on attacking the reasonableness of religion, not only in natural sciences, but in all spheres of human knowledge. It would give you a place at the table with American creationists, who are more concerned with the secularizing motive of evolution than in the 'truth' of mere 'evolutionary biology'. If you could speak the language of human-social change and of identity, purpose and teleology (which geologists dismiss), the rest would come more easily.
   
  No one at ASA has yet answered my challenge against evolutionary social thought. Could it be because y'all are too concerned with 'the nature of' existence that society, culture, humanity, personality, community, etc. are lost in your naturalistic lenses?
   
  Arago
   
  
Michael Roberts <michael.andrea.r@ukonline.co.uk> wrote:
      Gregory
   
  Surely you cant expect people on this list to be competent on the human-social scientists as virtually all are physical scientists and wisely refrain from what they are ignorant
   
  Incidentally CIS helped me in my mid-20s and probably like the ASA is a mixture of old and young.
   
  I do wish you would improve your attitude to the ASA. This continual harping does not reflect well on you
   
  Michael (not an ASA member but in the CIS)
    ----- Original Message -----
  From: Gregory Arago
  To: asa@calvin.edu
  Sent: Friday, February 22, 2008 11:05 PM
  Subject: RE: [asa] Crossing the Divide
  

  Running to evolution(ists) for help...hmmm, quite an image that provides!
   
  A question on the text quoted: that's not Brian Alters (McGill, Evolution Education Research Centre), is it? I tried to meet him last summer after the SSHRC fiasco, no answer, disappeared. Definitely not an ASA/CSCA member.
   
  Though perhaps suggesting a different 'divide' that is to be crossed, one point to make is simply this: TE, if ASA is indeed to be a haven for it, unfortunately seems uninterested in bridging the divide between natural sciences and human-social sciences. THIS divide, however, is what is most notably touched on (though not thoroughly discussed) by the IDM and its peculiar brand of 'design' theory. That is because intelligence is 'always already' acknowledged in human beings. Human beings simply do 'design' things, 'nuf said.
   
  Turning the Creator into an anthropomorphic 'designing agent,' is nevertheless, a less than ideal solution. Theologically suspect, naturalistically-scientistically challenged.

  One other note: CSCA's Lamoureux converted to Evolutionary Creationism (not to TE) during mid-age. The tone of ASA seems directed to middle-aged or to retired persons. What is ASA doing for the 20-something generation? This is the demographic attracted to 'i+d,' which an antiquated TE, based on biology-physics-chemistry added to theology, minus anthropology, sociology, psychology (which should these days almost be written as PSYCHOLOGY), all but ignores. Where is a psychological account of transition from YEC to OEC/PC/TE/EC/not-literalist/hermeneutically-inclined person given? This seems to be, from the quotations, what the article is about (powerful emotions, risk, identity, loss of community, etc.).
   
  The notions of intentionality, purpose, meaning, reason (somewhat TE/ECish), and teleology embraced by i+d are quite attractive to young people today. Isn't this a 'divide' that ASA should draw its attention and network to?
   
  Which divide? Whose divide?
   
  Arago

       
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Received on Sat Feb 23 17:08:29 2008