Uncommon Descent Serving The Intelligent Design Community

Larry Moran Gets it Right on Behe’s Dover Testimony

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In Did Michael Behe say that astrology was scientific in Kitzmiller v. Dover?  Moran actually excerpts the testimony and then concludes:

I mostly agree with Behe. Astrology was an attempt to explain human behaviors by relating them to the position of the Earth on the day you were born. There is no connection. So today we think of astrology as bad science. It’s not true that the stars determine your behavior and whenever we make this claim to an astologist we make sure to point out that the evidence is against it.

(footnote excluded)

We compliment Dr. Moran on his analysis as well as on his often-expressed willingness to buck the conventional wisdom of his “side” of the debate.

 

 

Comments
I have a difficult time understanding how anyone who believes in abiogenesis has grounds to criticize astrology. In the end, the atheist must believe in that which is capable of performing like God, even though they prefer to use a different label. Materialists merely call God "chance" and are comforted by the self-delusion that they've managed to put distance between themselves and any concept of God. Their faith goes even a step beyond believing that God created all we see to believing that nothing created all we see.Phinehas
December 16, 2015
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Larry moran. i'll address you here as , I think, i'm in a species of banned at your blog. AND ITS CHRISTMASS. Except in mayor Bloombergs New York i heard. now censoring christmas trees. Isn't he Jewish. anyways. Your wrong to agree astrology was scientific back in the old days. not just bad science but NOT science. Science must mean something if its something other then mere conclusions on subjects. It is about methodology. Science is about backing up its conclusions with a clear adherence to a particular methodology. Astrology never did this. Newton did. if these subjects are just about people figuring things out then admit science doesn't exist worthy of being a special method of knowing. ID does apply the method of science. Astrolohy never did or claimed too. Still don't. Why is this confusing for everyone? I know why. Its just people figuring things out and trying/claiming they were careful in the investigation. OKAY. if so then being wrong doesn't nullify it being science. If so methodolgy is king. Being wrong is not being bad science either. Just wrong. Evolutionism strives to say its right JUST because its science. So they have to say ID/YEC is not science. They have too.Robert Byers
December 15, 2015
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Common descent needs a mechanism to account for all of the physiological and anatomical transformations required- all of the new body plans and body parts. Badda-bing, badda-boom, doesn't cut it in science.Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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bFast:
If the “common design” crowd can make a compelling case that explains this data, I will be surprised.
"This data" refers to : (I have found a smoking gun for common ancestry, however. That gun is the fact that both humans and chimps contain identical disease producing point mutations.) Take two DNA sequences that are similar due to a common design. Would we not expect those two DNA sequences to behave similarly to changes? Two similar proteins getting the same function altering change should cause similar issues.Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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bFast, thank you for clarifying. I agree that it is compelling evidence for (not proof) of common descent.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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George Edwards, "Are you suggesting that chimps and humans sharing identical disease producing point mutations is a smoking gun against common ancestry, or for it?" For it, yes. While it doesn't confirm common ancestry through the cambrian, it provides very compelling support for common ancestry between human and chimp. If the "common design" crowd can make a compelling case that explains this data, I will be surprised. I guess that what I am trying to say is that I am compelled by specific "smoking gun" arguments, rather than by some general "multiple strands of data point to ..." type arguments. I am compelled by specifics more than by generalities.bFast
December 15, 2015
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Jack- It is only people like George who try to fool people. George even admits to it. If only all evolutionists were so honest. ;)Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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Georgie Edwards: '
That’s good to hear. Then you have succeeded. You haven’t fooled a anybody.
And you are still a fool. Good luck with that. :razz:Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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@ Mr Cain. "I wasn’t trying to fool anyone, George. It is obvious that you don’t know anything about science." He is an ignoramus when it comes to science and the presuppositions of science. Maybe we shouldn't call him Georgie but call him Moe or something. We already have Larry posting, he might be his brother Moe. hahahahahaJack Jones
December 15, 2015
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George says " I think that the fact that very little science has been produce by ID is very telling." Incorrect. It was a form of ID that we have to thank when it comes to the birthing of science. Physicist Paul Davies " "Science began as an outgrowth of theology, and all scientists, whether atheists or theists . . . accept an essentially theological worldview" The underlying presuppositions of science were borne of and are consistent with a worldview of Design. Science was borne of a design world view and the underlying presuppositions of science that were birthed of a design worldview, underpin science today. Science is inconsistent with your faith in dumb chance. "Maybe you should look u the definitions of Scare Quotes and Consistency. When you have done that, get back to me" Oh I know about your excuse for your use of the term "Evil" Georgie. It's not a literal evil is it Georgie, it is evil as "subjective objective right and wrong" hahahahaJack Jones
December 15, 2015
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Virgil: "I wasn’t trying to fool anyone, George." That's good to hear. Then you have succeeded. You haven't fooled a anybody.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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Georgie Edwards:
The difference between you and I is that I have been fooling my employers, staff and customers for over thirty years, and you are fooling nobody.
I wasn't trying to fool anyone, George. It is obvious that you don't know anything about science. What science has been produced by evolutionism, George? How can test the claim that any bacterial flagellum evolved via natural selection, drift and neutral changes? Do tell or you will prove my point.Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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bFast: "Unlike astrology, I have not found a smoking gun that confirms your position. " Nor a smoking gun that ID is good science. I think that the fact that very little science has been produce by ID is very telling. " (I have found a smoking gun for common ancestry, however. That gun is the fact that both humans and chimps contain identical disease producing point mutations.)" I don't think I understand your point. Are you suggesting that chimps and humans sharing identical disease producing point mutations is a smoking gun against common ancestry, or for it? As far as I can see, it would be evidence for it. But maybe I am missing something.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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Larry Moran (4) "Astrology is bad science. It’s basic premises are not supported by evidence." Agreed. There are many ways in which astrology could be possible. The planets could actually control us, or the planets and us could be receiving their guidance from the same source. However, in my opinion the definitive falsification of astrology is the many twin studies that have been done. Medical and psychological sciences have studied twins, contrasting monozygotic and dizygotic twins for a very long time. They find that dizygotics behave very like siblings, whereas monozygotics have strongly parallel behavior. This would suggest that any astrological forces are vastly overpowered by genetics, to the point where the astrological forces are irrelevant/undetectable. "ID is bad science. It’s basic premises are not supported by evidence." Unlike astrology, I have not found a smoking gun that confirms your position. Show me the gun, show me the smoke, and I'll switch sides. (I have found a smoking gun for common ancestry, however. That gun is the fact that both humans and chimps contain identical disease producing point mutations.) More importantly, naturalistic evolution appears to be bad science to me. There are about a dozen different cases that point away from naturalistic evolution. The example I choose today is the example of reports of quite a lot of de novo genes. If I understand the theory correctly, de novo genes should be: extremely rare, small, of tertiary, or at least secondary value to the organism. Evidence presented on this site points otherwise.bFast
December 15, 2015
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JJ: "He doesn’t need to George, he has you sussed." Hey, somebody got a dictionary for Christmas!! Does this mean that you will be able to have more intelligent discussions in the future? Maybe you should look u the definitions of Scare Quotes and Consistency. When you have done that, get back to me. P.s., Joe/Virgil can't suss the concept of not using work computers to post threatening comments. Good thing he had toaster repair to fall back on.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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@15 I agree with you Mr Tugwell. They are a waste of space.Jack Jones
December 15, 2015
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"The difference between you and I is that I have been fooling my employers, staff and customers for over thirty years, and you are fooling nobody." He doesn't need to George, he has you sussed. You are fooling yourself though George, Your faith in unintentionalism provides no basis for presuppositions of science, such as lawfulness can be discovered in the working of the universe and that the mind of man can understand and figure out the workings. Believing the universe came about unintentionally and that mans thinking apparatus came about by dumb chance provides 0 grounding for scientific investigation. When you chirp about science then you are being inconsistent with your faith in unintentionalism. If you were consistent then you would be arguing against science from your position of faith. You can't be consistent George.Jack Jones
December 15, 2015
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Virgil: "George Edwards doesn’t know anything about science…" The difference between you and I is that I have been fooling my employers, staff and customers for over thirty years, and you are fooling nobody.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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@10 Jack Jones: Jerry Coyne is right and wrong in the same paragraph. He's right insofar as evolutionary biology lurks somewhere near the bottom of science's pecking order. However, he's wrong when he states that these same biologists cannot "observe" or "resolve" issues with a simple experiment. What is Richard Lenski's experiment if not "evolution in action"? Almost thirty years on and we've learned nothing? Chloroquine resistance is evolution in action but it hasn't quite given the spectacular results for which our Darwinist friends hope: merely point mutations in a single protein. Sickle cell disease is their textbook example of evolution's awesome creativity. No wonder they're usually more crass than cordial; they've got little to offer.RexTugwell
December 15, 2015
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@4 Larry Moran Still waiting for you to tell me which chemical elements you teach your students are free?Jack Jones
December 15, 2015
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Moran is not only a hypocrite, but he is a hypocrite with credentials (all evolutionists are hypocrites). And it is well worth the effort to continually point out and expose his (their) hypocrisy. It also entertaining watching him shove his feet in his mouth and act as if nothing happened.Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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Moran is just a troll. Why pay attention to him at all? His opinions on this topic are useless and worthless. Somebody should ban Moran and his ilk. :-DMapou
December 15, 2015
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Intelligent Design makes testable claims pertaining to many things we observe. These claims can be either confirmed or refuted. If that isn't a hallmark of science, what is?Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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The cultural marxist George says "Arguing that ID is not science is simply not correct. It is as much science as alchemy and phrenology. And just as valid." “In science's pecking order, evolutionary biology lurks somewhere near the bottom, far closer to phrenology than to physics. For evolutionary biology is a historical science, laden with history's inevitable imponderables. We evolutionary biologists cannot generate a Cretaceous Park to observe exactly what killed the dinosaurs; and, unlike "harder" scientists, we usually cannot resolve issues with a simple experiment, such as adding tube A to tube B and noting the color of the mixture.” Jerry Coyne Evolutionary Biologist.Jack Jones
December 15, 2015
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George Edwards doesn't know anything about science...Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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Arguing that ID is not science is simply not correct. It is as much science as alchemy and phrenology. And just as valid.George Edwards
December 15, 2015
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"Astrology is bad science. It’s basic premises are not supported by evidence. ID is bad science. It’s basic premises are not supported by evidence. You should not believe either one if you have any respect for science as a way of knowing" Unfortunately for you Dr. Moran, the modern evolutionary theory isn't even bad science. It is a fairy-tale you've been bullying others to believe. Now, all you have to do to prove me wrong is provide evidence that the modern evolutionary theory is bad science before you can move on to the next level.J-Mac
December 15, 2015
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Earth to Larry Moran- Unlike your position at least ID has a methodology and again, unlike your position, it makes testable claims. Your position isn't even science and it owes science an apology.Virgil Cain
December 15, 2015
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Dr. Moran, You yourself, in your short post, just provided evidence for ID. (Meyer - presently acting cause known to produce the effect in question) Namely, in your short post, you just produced more information than anyone has ever seen being produced by unguided material processes. (Axe, Gauger, Behe) In fact, just one instance of unguided material material processes being observed producing non-trivial information would falsify ID. (Dembski, Marks, Abel) On the other hand, evolution has no such rigid falsification criteria. (Behe) And since there is no empirical observation that could potentially falsify evolution, then evolution is not even considered a proper science in the first place. (Popper) Moreover, if someone were to ever figure out how to get unguided material processes to generate non-trivial information, that discovery could potentially net them a 3 million dollar prize. (Marshall)bornagain
December 15, 2015
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Astrology is bad science. It's basic premises are not supported by evidence. ID is bad science. It's basic premises are not supported by evidence. You should not believe either one if you have any respect for science as a way of knowing.Larry Moran
December 15, 2015
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