The Khan Academy Promotes Theological Naturalism

Identity in this case matters because they are asserting in the nations they move too they have ability to teach and correct. What does the third world have to teach ??? One needs credibility behind ones teachings on subjects of great contention. If they can stand the heat then they can offer their contribution. However these people should not presume to partake in my civilization unless they have earned their spurs. Indeed they fail even unlike usual evolutionist pronouncements. Robert Byers

It was certainly an argument (although he cited plenty of data), but an "argument" is not necessarily a "religious/philosophical complaint" and it certainly wasn't that ""God wouldn't have done it this way". In fact, it is a very closely argued near-syllogism - that if things self-replicate with heritable differential reproductive success, adaptation will occur. And he was correct - this is exactly what happens, as can be shown readily in the lab, in the field, and in simulations. Now, you may take issue with his argument that this process of adaptation is sufficient to account for the observed adaptations, but that doesn't make Darwin's book "simply a religious/philosophical complaint along the lines of 'God wouldn't have done it this way'". And though he himself may not have done the experiments that tested his theory, others have, and it is supported. It is also supported by evidence, in the fossil record, of incremental change in homologous features over time, as given by the geological column. It is also supported by genetic evidence, and we now have actual mechanisms, which Darwin did not, for the sources of spontaneous heritable variation that are necessary for his proposed mechanism to work. So he was bang on the money, although he remained himself in the dark about where the variance came from. Elizabeth Liddle

Elizabeth, I am one of the few people (hopefully along with several others on this site) who have actually read The Origin cover to cover. Darwin's primary argument most certainly was a religious/philosophical argument. There were no calculations, no experiments, almost no "science" in the book. It was, as he stated, "one long argument." That is certainly fine, and it was an excellent piece of rhetoric, but let's recognize it for what it was. I'm not alone in this conclusion. Many others have drawn essentially the same conclusion from a careful study of The Origin. So which is it, was Darwin's argument right on the money, or has "biology moved on hugely since Darwin's day"? Eric Anderson

Just another example, I guess, of an otherwise very brilliant person being taken in by the seductive philosophy that Darwin so successfully put forth: a huge part of Darwin’s argument in The Origin, was simply a religious/philosophical complaint along the lines of “God wouldn’t have done it this way.” Darwin’s disciples have been channeling the sentiment ever since.

Or alternatively, of a very brilliant person perceiving the force of Darwin's argument. Which was not "simply a religious/philosophical complaint along the lines of “God wouldn’t have done it this way” by any means - have you read it? The jibe about "Darwin's disciples" is unfounded, not least because biology has moved on hugely since Darwin's day anyway. Elizabeth Liddle

Check this one out then: Intelligent Design and Evolution http://www.khanacademy.org/video/intelligent-design-and-evolution?playlist=Biology NZer

I'm not sure that his race or country of origin has anything to do with his arguments. Genetic fallacy anyone? That aside -- why don't UD readers do response videos? If he has provided a nice set of claims, then these should be testable (if they are science -- he he he)... And given his other videos that I have watched, he should present the case for evolution nicely and clearly. I probably should sit down and watch them with the kids... NZer

To understand a subject one must study it. Getting degrees in other stuff is irrelevant to ones abilities to understand this stuff. These people look like Asians and from recent Asian immigration. What do these civilizations have to teach Christian North American/European civilization??? The third world should fix the the third world before coming here and advising us on whats true and not true based on intellectual investigation. physician heal thyself!!! Robert Byers

This is too bad. Khan does a great job with his video lectures on math (which my son uses) and several other non-controversial topics. I'd been meaning to check out his evolution videos, but haven't had the time yet. Can't say I'm surprised, just disappointed. Just another example, I guess, of an otherwise very brilliant person being taken in by the seductive philosophy that Darwin so successfully put forth: a huge part of Darwin's argument in The Origin, was simply a religious/philosophical complaint along the lines of "God wouldn't have done it this way." Darwin's disciples have been channeling the sentiment ever since. Eric Anderson