The Other Intelligent Design Theories

The Skeptic ^ | March, 2006 | David Brin

[js1138]

[js1138]

ping

[My2Cents]

I was debating whether I should send the Discovery Institute a sizeable contribution. After reading this, I decided I should. Thanks.

[js1138]

Fast reader.

[Coyoteman]

Interesting! ===> Placemarker <===

[Gordongekko909]

"Some alternative theories that I have left out include satirical pseudo-religions, like one recent internet fad attributing creation to something called the “Flying Spaghetti Monster.” These humorous jibes have a place, but their blows do not land on-target. They miss the twin pillars of completeness and fair play, upon which promoters of Intelligent Design have based their attack against secular-modernist science. By erasing all theological details, they hoped to eliminate any vulnerabilities arising from those details. Indeed, since the Spaghetti Monster is purported to be an Intelligent Designer, they can even chuckle and welcome it into the fold, knowing that it will win no real converts."

This kind of misses the point of Flying Spaghetti Monsterism. FSM is not intended as a serious alternative to, well, anything. It isn't expected that anyone will actually believe it. Rather, it's a reductio ad absurdum of the position of ID proponents.

It breaks down like this: FSM accuses ID of committing the logical fallacy of argument from ignorance. ID attempts to insert itself as such: "The explanation is either x or y. If x is false, then the answer must be y. Now sit back as I explain why x is false. Once I have proven that x is false, y is the only remaining alternative. Therefore, y is true." The problem is that x and y aren't the only possibilities. There are a virtually unlimited number of z's.

That's where the Spaghetti Monster comes in. If the entire basis of a theory is that another theory is false, then anything that isn't the "false" theory can be equally true. Even something as absurd as a Flying Spaghetti Monster and its Noodly Appendages. And theories about global warming being a direct result of the decrease in the number of pirates, as shown by this graph:

Yarr.

Flying Spaghetti Monsterism is, in the words of Rush Limbaugh, an attempt to demonstrate absurdity by being absurd.

[shuckmaster]

I have a lot of respect for my old religious friends who tell me I'm going to hell if I don't change my ways with an expression that indicates they believe they have some knowledge of what they're talking about.

Sorry, but I have no respect whatsoever for these new age ID liars who bark off completely bogus charlatan pseudo science like they think everyone else is too ignorant to find their way to the science shelf down at the library.

I can easier imagine Moses parting the waters than magic pie in the sky man designing a different irreducibly complex eyeball for every individual species on earth. If you're going to try to sell me religion, stick to your religion and leave the bogus science fantasy stuff alone!

[be4everfree]

I've also noticed that the more scientists there are studying "global warming" the warmer it has become.

[muawiyah]

Definitely a sign of a true believer: "..... tested and interlocking facts..."

Once again we have "Natural Selection" portrayed as a god, or maybe even a pantheon of gods.

We really do need a test bed that demonstrates "Natural Selection" as a process that leads to speciation.

(NOTE: Darwin's theses are titled "The Voyage of the Beagle", "The Origin of Species", "The Origin of Species - 6th Edition", and "The Descent of Man". Logically, when discussing Darwinian "anything" it might be wise to keep in mind what it was that interested him ~ and speciation is pretty much it. So, no new species, no Darwinian factoids eh?)

(NOTE: Don't bother me with discussions of what amounts to a bacterial immunological system. You still have the same bacteria after it "adjusts" to the latest new poison.)

[Gordongekko909]

That's easily explainable: the more people there are complaining about global warming, the more hot air ends up in the atmosphere. This causes global warming.

[Filo]

FSM is not intended as a serious alternative to, well, anything. It isn't expected that anyone will actually believe it. Rather, it's a reductio ad absurdum of the position of ID proponents.

Isn't ID absurd enough all by itself? ;)

I really do like David Brin. I just wish he'd spend more time writing SciFi!

[Conservative Texan Mom]

I don't think any of these things should be taught as science because they aren't. I am all for philosophical discussion, which could include each of these. It would certainly get these kids brain juices flowing. It would most likely encourage more in depth study into the theory of evolution. That is, if the students are serious about determining how science influences their personal philosophy.

[Gordongekko909]

Reductio ad absurdum. FSM takes ID's arguments to their illogical conclusion.

[Oztrich Boy]

"Evolution of Intelligent Designers "

Stapleton's Starmaker placemarker

[Oztrich Boy]

(NOTE: Darwin's theses are titled "The Voyage of the Beagle", "The Origin of Species", "The Origin of Species - 6th Edition", and "The Descent of Man".

"But being as this is Google, the most powerful search engine in the world and will blow your head clean off, you've got to ask yourself a question: do I feel lucky? Well do ya, punk?"

[PatrickHenry]

Evolution Ping The List-O-Links

A conservative, pro-evolution science list, now with over 360 names. See the list's explanation, then FReepmail to be added or dropped. To assist beginners: But it's "just a theory", Evo-Troll's Toolkit, and How to argue against a scientific theory.

[Right Wing Professor]

You have so much money, you're willing to give it to grifting lawyers?

[peyton randolph]

I base my scientific beliefs on The Good Book

[VadeRetro]

Good article. Deserves better than the smoke-filled closet where it will be largely missed. Against that, I can see where someone might expect it will make some people act badly in public.

[VadeRetro]

Fast reader.

Somehow, I don't think that's it.