Uncommon Descent Serving The Intelligent Design Community

Kudos to Larry Moran

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In a comment over at Sandwalk Larry writes:

Bill says,

But the point is moot. ID is not a scientific endeavor. Never has been. It’s a political movement with a social agenda to inject religion into American public schools. Simple as that.

The debate took place in Canada where we allow the teaching of religion in public schools. None of us give a damn about the American Constitution. We’re interesting in knowing whether the science is valid or not.

If the Intelligent Design proponents have legitimate complaints about evolution and if they have good scientific arguments in favor of design then those ideas should be taught in Canadian schools in spite of what some judge in Pennsylvania said ten years ago.

Lawrence Krauss tried to show that ID was not science but he did a horrible job. Meyer countered by presenting a lot of science forcing Krauss to deal with the very science that he said ID doesn’t do!

Bill, you are being dangerously naive if you think you can simply dismiss the ID movement because it’s not science (according to your definition). The general public doesn’t care. All they see is serious attacks on evolution that look a lot like science.

Yes, ID is a movement and so are the desires to do something about climate change or GMO’s. There are lots of “movements” with social and political agenda. Many of them deal with science in one way of another. It’s the role of scientists to evaluate the scientific arguments in spite of the agenda. We have to show that the goal of the movement is either compatible or incompatible with the scientific facts.

 

 

 

 

Comments
Mung #73
How many times do I have to say this? I am not talking about patterns with respect to current fitness. Please let that sink in.
If you know of any pattern (except that already mentioned) please elaborate.
Now you admit to not being aware of any pattern of any kind. Do you think your ignorance ought to serve as a premise in the argument?
Science is provisional always. So, if you have evidence of a pattern please elaborate.
You are not aware of any pattern, therefore no pattern exists. You are not aware of any pattern, therefore evolution is unguided. How does that help your argument that evolution is unguided?
When I see a pattern I'll change my mind. Can you present a pattern?
By the way, is this an admission that your own argument was indeed a non-sequitur?
Nope. But I've seen you and your court jester routine for a number of years now and I know how you behave. I predict that you will not be able to provide a pattern in mutations because while you're long at making fun you're usually pretty short on technical details.
Perhaps that is why people on the ID side don’t change their mind. They have been given no reason to do so.
I change my mind when new data comes to light. So, if you have a pattern in mutations to present let's see it.ellazimm
March 27, 2016
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Mung: You are not aware of any pattern, therefore no pattern exists. The pattern is statistical randomness. If you have a way to detect a pattern in mutations, then please be specific.Zachriel
March 27, 2016
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ellazimm: Until the evidence is found there is no pattern with regard to fitness. How many times do I have to say this? I am not talking about patterns with respect to current fitness. Please let that sink in. Now you admit to not being aware of any pattern of any kind. Do you think your ignorance ought to serve as a premise in the argument? You are not aware of any pattern, therefore no pattern exists. You are not aware of any pattern, therefore evolution is unguided. How does that help your argument that evolution is unguided? Here's your latest: Very few people on the ID side on this forum ever change their mind or alter their view, so I won't bother trying to support my claim with a logical argument. I'm sure there are logical arguments out there, but I am also sure Mung has already seen and rejected them, therefore I won't waste my time trying to find an example. By the way, is this an admission that your own argument was indeed a non-sequitur? Perhaps that is why people on the ID side don't change their mind. They have been given no reason to do so.Mung
March 27, 2016
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Mung #71
If there is no pattern with respect to current fitness, it does not follow that there is no pattern, period. You have only considered one possible pattern. Does that exhaust all the possibilities?
With the exception of some regions having slightly higher or lower mutation rates I don't know of any pattern OF ANY KIND. If you want to look for one be my guest. Until the evidence is found there is no pattern with regard to fitness.
Have you seen anyone put forth a logical argument for evolution being unguided yet that was not a non-sequitur, because I haven’t?
Yes, I have. And it's easy to find examples. Which I'm sure you've seen and clearly rejected. So I won't waste my time giving you links or references. In fact, in my experience, very few people on the ID side on this forum ever change their mind or alter their views. Makes you wonder what the blog is for.ellazimm
March 27, 2016
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ellazimm: If there is no pattern then there is no evidence for mutations being guided. If there is no pattern with respect to current fitness, it does not follow that there is no pattern, period. You have only considered one possible pattern. Does that exhaust all the possibilities? Have you seen anyone put forth a logical argument for evolution being unguided yet that was not a non-sequitur, because I haven't?Mung
March 27, 2016
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In this cross-topic thought that started as a reply to Cornelius I had to mention what Larry said: https://uncommondescent.com/intelligent-design/natural-selection-does-machine-learning/#comment-601489 I wanted to say something for this thread but in my case it becomes at least that length to express my reasons for loving Larry even though he says "IDiots" in a way that includes me too I guess. Science requires large amounts of humility. The only thing for sure is a great scientific theory will have a weird story behind it. We at least got that part right.GaryGaulin
March 26, 2016
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Mung
Random mutation, in evolutionary theory, means random with respect to fitness. Do you dispute this?
I've said as much myself earlier in the thread. So, no.
You are expanding the meaning of random beyond what they theory states and are thus either equivocating or drawing an inference not allowed by the theory.
No. I'm not. There is no pattern in the temporal distribution of mutations at given positions with respect to fitness. Do you like that better? If there is no pattern then there is no evidence for mutations being guided. By Ockham's Razor you shouldn't assume they are guided. I get the feeling that you argue about these things just to argue. After all these years you still don't seem to understand the evolutionary argument. Or you think it's funny to have people explain it to you over and over again.ellazimm
March 26, 2016
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Mung: Random mutation, in evolutionary theory, means random with respect to fitness. Do you dispute this? Mutations are random with respect to fitness. They are not random with respect to site on the genome. However, otherwise, they form a random distribution as far as anyone can determine. Mung: The claim is that we know that mutations are random with respect to fitness and that from this we can conclude that evolution is unguided. It's hard to tell with ID, claims often being so vague, but some IDers apparently believe that evolution occurs, but is guided towards adaptive forms. So, mutations being random with respect to adaptation is evidence against this position.Zachriel
March 26, 2016
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ellazim:
Random means no pattern. If they were directed you’d expect to see a pattern, some indication that they were focused on a particular target. In other words . . . why would a ‘designer’ guide mutations in such a way as to look random by all mathematical measures?
Random mutation, in evolutionary theory, means random with respect to fitness. Do you dispute this? You are expanding the meaning of random beyond what they theory states and are thus either equivocating or drawing an inference not allowed by the theory.Mung
March 26, 2016
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The claim is that we know that mutations are random with respect to fitness and that from this we can conclude that evolution is unguided. The argument is a non-sequitur. It also assumes that the only thing that matters in evolution is current fitness.Mung
March 26, 2016
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Mung: But I am having a heck of a time trying to convince Zachriel. It's not a target, but a reproductive advantage due to heritable traits. That doesn't mean we can't identify traits that provide greater fitness, and show the movement of a population towards expression of that trait. You suggested @60 that there was another target besides fitness, but didn't say what that target might be.Zachriel
March 26, 2016
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Fitness isn’t a target, it is just an outcome. Yes, I know. But I am having a heck of a time trying to convince Zachriel.Mung
March 26, 2016
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Mung: "You’re still looking at things as if fitness is the only target." Fitness isn't a target, it is just an outcome. A mutation may increase fitness, reduce fitness, or more likely, have no impact on fitness.Indiana Effigy
March 26, 2016
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Mung: You’re still looking at things as if fitness is the only target. The rates of mutations vary across the genome, but are still otherwise statistically random. If you insist mutations are not random, then perhaps you can provide some evidence of this.Zachriel
March 26, 2016
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Mung #57
ok, but how will looking at mutations rates tell me that evolution is unguided?
Random means no pattern. If they were directed you'd expect to see a pattern, some indication that they were focused on a particular target. In other words . . . why would a 'designer' guide mutations in such a way as to look random by all mathematical measures?ellazimm
March 26, 2016
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Zachriel doesn't get it. That implies that, if there is the occasional targeting, it is statistically insignificant. If the archer is shooting at the target, it is indistinguishable from blind archery. You're still looking at things as if fitness is the only target.Mung
March 26, 2016
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Mung: How many arrows need to hit the target then before we can call them random with respect to the target? Your original claim concerned consistently missing the target, which is the opposite of randomness. To answer your question, the usual way is to look at the entire spread. The parameters are bias and variability. Let's say we have a well-defined statistical spread around a high point on the outer band of the target. This could be due to 1) the archer shooting at that point; 2) bias in the archer's aim; 3) the archer occasionally aiming elsewhere, but in a statistically insignificant manner. Statistically, that's all we can say. The usual method at that point is to gather evidence about the archer.
"Hey Archer, you seem to be aiming high. Try aiming lower." "Um, okay." {Now we observe a statistical spread around the center of the target.}
Considering mutations, we have millions of mutations that form a statistical distribution that is random with respect to fitness. That implies that, if there is the occasional targeting, it is statistically insignificant. If the archer is shooting at the target, it is indistinguishable from blind archery. -- Edited for conciseness.Zachriel
March 25, 2016
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Zachriel:
That shows the observer doesn’t know what random means. If the arrows consistently miss the target, then they are not random with respect to the target.
How many arrows need to hit the target then before we can call them random with respect to the target? And then how do you tell that the arrows that do hit the target were not directed at the target?Mung
March 25, 2016
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ellazim: You could do some research into mutation rates rather than just wait for everything to be presented to you on this forum. ok, but how will looking at mutations rates tell me that evolution is unguided?Mung
March 25, 2016
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I could just hug Larry Moran. I hope folks will treat him well when he returns here. Meyer is an opponent but not an enemy. - Larry MoranMung
March 25, 2016
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Mung: Imagine an archer shooting arrows which consistently miss a target attached to a tree. Meanwhile, strewn about on the ground are numerous small animals pierced by arrows. An observer quips, what a random shooter that archer is! That shows the observer doesn't know what random means. If the arrows consistently miss the target, then they are not random with respect to the target.Zachriel
March 25, 2016
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You see you lot are breeding yourself out of contention worse still you've made your bed with the worst kind of radicalism that will come back and bite you lot soon and before you know it godless heathens will be persecuted again. Materialists are their own worst enemies.Your preaching of tolorance is why secular societies like Belgium are being blown up by the very radicals you decided to tolorate. Tolorance breeds intolerance.Andre
March 25, 2016
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You see you lot are breeding yourself out of contention worse still you've made your bed with the worst kind of radicalism that will come back and bite you lot soon, and before you know it godless heathens like yourself will be persecuted again. Materialists are their own worst enemies.Andre
March 25, 2016
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Have a read chap... You don't even live your own beliefs.... http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/bering-in-mind/gods-little-rabbits-religious-people-out-reproduce-secular-ones-by-a-landslide/Andre
March 25, 2016
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Wow because some people have a beef against the idea of design and it's implications we should just trust them? Ever heard of the saying test everything? How did these systems emerge? Please do tell.... So I'm not only a bigot and judgemental, a bad speller but I am also prideful and bias? Is that all you have? You still have nothing then. Yes and materialists are the proof.... You exploit the environment you have lots of resources yet you have fewer children. Materialists prove their own brand of what evolution is wrong everyday.Andre
March 25, 2016
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Andre #43
I don’t believe that living systems are designed I acknowledge that they are, this is obviously from my experience in engineering. Do I know I might be wrong? Of course but I would bet my kidney I’m not.
Well, lots of people with lots of experience in biological systems disagree with you. And I gotta think they know more about those kind of things than you do.
Nice one on saying nothing about all checks and balances, correction systems and redundancy that are all evolutionary conserved and the fact that your position posits that they emerged…. aka poofed out of thin air. If your only gripe with me is my spelling then you really have NOTHING.
Sigh. I guess you missed where I acknowledged that there are lots of checks and balances in the system. AND YET mutations (good, bad and neutral) do get through. That is indisputable. And no one is saying they poofed out of thin air. If you're going to argue against something then don't make stuff up.
There you go again… if it’s fit it survives and if it survives it’s fit. That merry go round in your head is a bit stuck. …
Are you saying that life forms that are better able to exploit natural resources and environments won't leave more offspring on average? #44
Sorry the truth hurt your feelings. Next thing you are probably going to call me a bigot and preach to me about being judgemental. Go right ahead truth cares nothing for how you feel about it.
You didn't hurt my feelings with your rudeness. I am merely pointing out that you are biased and proud of it. Mung #49
Random with respect to fitness is a statement about a particular correlation, or lack thereof, and at a specific time as well. To get from that to “evolution is unguided” occurs how, logically? I just want to see the logical argument, if it exists. You’d have to be omniscient and capable of peering into the future.
You could do some research into mutation rates rather than just wait for everything to be presented to you on this forum.ellazimm
March 25, 2016
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Thanks Q. Random with respect to fitness is a statement about a particular correlation, or lack thereof, and at a specific time as well. To get from that to "evolution is unguided" occurs how, logically? I just want to see the logical argument, if it exists. You'd have to be omniscient and capable of peering into the future.Mung
March 24, 2016
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Daniel King: Mung has earned them. Hi Troll!Mung
March 24, 2016
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Mung @33, You make an interesting point. From one perspective, the arrows seem randomly distributed, from another perspective they seem carefully aimed. So, if one had to choose an explanation for the locations of the arrow-mutations choosing to ascribe it to random placement, obscures the information represented in the event. To use another analogy, most people wouldn't accept that a series of random events involving a pistol, a broken window, lead bullets and a corpse with unnatural holes in it were sue to a series of random events. Nevertheless, there's no doubt that some people would argue that given the multiverse, the conclusion that the events were random, might be supportable. But would make for lousy police work (and lousy science). -QQuerius
March 24, 2016
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wd400:
Hi Mung, That’s like, Joe-level stupid. Sometimes I wonder if you are a troll.
Mung:
I don’t often receive such compliments. Thank you.
Mung has earned them.Daniel King
March 24, 2016
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