The Ian Ramsey Centre, Oxford
A couple of weeks ago, I reported on the program for the upcoming Ian Ramsey Centre conference, “God, Nature, and Design” to be held July 10-13, 2008 at St. Anne’s College, Oxford University. An updated list of contributed papers has been posted. The list is noteworthy both for the range of topics considered, and the variety of home institutions of the authors. Should be a lively meeting.
Checked the list and found this:
“Richard Dawkins’ Criticism of the Design Argument”
We’ve heard his “criticisms” of ID, and I think due to recent events he would serve himself well to just save himself the embarrassment by joining our side. Which apparently is no longer consisted of pseudoscience 😀
Judging by the premise of that paper I think it will present a strong case for the idea that the simplest way to the evidence is by a single teological process and not 10 to the umptillionth power universes.
Based on his Expelled interview, Dawkins has clearly stated that ID is possible. It just can’t be God.
And by fiat (thus sayeth Dawkins) any original intelligence HAD to have arrived via Darwinistic processes.
Where’s the scientific method in THAT?
Another relevant conference at Oxford:
http://www.naturaltheology.org....._home.html
This sounds lively (I’m guessing that these short blurbs are just the Abstracts):
I also noticed that our esteemed host here is mentioned in a contributed paper:
I wonder if the rabble rouser in question was asked to participate. And if not, why not.
Paul, this looks to be a very interesting conference, with a lot of thought-provoking material. Best wishes in your presentation.
I’d be interested to know whether any of the criticisms against ID stack up. For example, in Doran’s summary, it appears he is arguing that you must presuppose something about the designer. I’d be interested to know if he is just fleshing out the tired criticism or if he has some new and useful thoughts about the issue.
Hi Eric,
I’ll take notes on all the talks (assuming I make them all, which is my plan at this point) and report back here in July.