From a philosophy prof and chaplain: Let’s now look at an example of a scientific proof and contrast it with an argument from philosophy. An argument from natural science goes something like this (there are even some philosophical moves here, such as the move from effect to cause): “Everything that has a beginning has a […]
Animals that Shouldn’t Exist According to Intelligent Design
I thought that this video was amusing. This is a public lecture given by a scientist on the subject of Intelligent Design. This is what passes for public discourse today.
Some reasons why machines won’t take over
Even if some people would like them to. In case the subject comes up over coffee. For example, ● Finally, physicist Alfredo Metere of the International Computer Science Institute (ICSI) insists that AI must deal in specifics but humans live in an indefinitely blurry world that is always changing: AI is a bunch of mathematical […]
The three living New Atheist figureheads deny that New Atheism is dead
Not sure what the difference is between disappearing and diffusing “into the wider conversation.” Time will tell.
Be kind to ET. He is some people’s deity.
Well, in fairness, failing to treat them respectfully is one sin we can safely say we haven’t committed; we have never encountered an alien ecosystem.
Gaming culture’s assumption about artificial and human intelligence
A gamer looks at Detroit: Becoming Human where, of course, you can choose what happens.
Finally, the Details of How Proteins Evolve
How did proteins evolve? It is a difficult question because, setting aside many other problems, the very starting point—the protein-coding gene—is highly complex. A large number of random mutations would seem to be required before you have a functional protein that helps the organism. Too often such problems are solved with vague accounts of “adaptations” […]
Answer questions about ID and maybe win a prize
Access Research Network is offering a prize ($50 VISA gift card) for the best response to this question: What do you say to someone when they claim that Intelligent Design is merely an appeal to a god-of-the-gaps?” Send your response to arn@arn.org Here’s the January question: How would you would respond to someone who claims […]
Newly discovered dinosaur had very long spikes, purpose disputed
Some think the remarkable spines were for protection, others only for display.
FIRE’s Ten Worst Colleges for Free Speech
Unless, of course, you are an authoritarian bureaucrat in training. Or maybe your subject area is, for example, sexual assault among dogs. If so, academia is all yours. With any luck, you will be shouting down empty halls.
“Humans still marry Neanderthals?” This is what some people call science
So may we now blame Neanderthals for our own bad choices? Wow.
New Pew Survey creates a huge middle on evolution
Actually, it’s not surprising at all. Pure naturalist atheists are not that common once you get off campus and a safe distance from the raging Woke. Most people would rather you think they were creationists (provided you don’t push it too far), which likely accounts for the drop in the second set, when a clear alternative for theists is provided. Some of us think this change in question is long overdue.
Even our neurons’ axons are like smart PCs
If you want to see your brain in electronic terms, you should picture it as the biggest network imaginable. It’s widely accepted that each neuron in our bodies is complex enough to be something like a little computer. Neurons are considered “pretty weird” on that account: “Unlike their blobby brethren, neurons have distinct regions. There’s […]
Are black holes partly a philosophy question?
The black hole has always occupied a sort of space in the middle, between science and philosophy. It’s good to see that acknowledged. From ScienceDaily: Erik Curiel studied Philosophy as well as Theoretical Physics at Harvard University and the University of Chicago, and the primary aim of his current DFG-funded research project is to develop […]
Michael Behe responds to the hit pre-publication review at Science
The fact that the attack is incompetent is its strength, not its weakness. It shows the social power of Darwinism, irrespective of intellectual force. Most Science readers will probably go with social power. It gives them the right to sneer, right or wrong. Intellectual force requires a basis. Note: Social power is a form of living on capital. When it’s gone, it’s gone.