Can biology do better than faith?

New Scientist ^ | November 2, 2005 | Edward O. Wilson

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"Oh. So under "Natural Selection" nobody actually does any selecting? Stuff just happens?"

Yes, in the same way that Angels don't push the stars and planets on their paths. Nature is cool that way. It's what makes science possible.

[Texas Eagle]

Argument from semantics. In the actual meat of Darwin's book, he makes clear what he means by natural selection. Nature is not an anthropomorphic deity and none are required. It is enough that some make it because of variations that set them somewhat apart from those that don't. That's all it is. Willful misinterpretation is a form of lying. You really ought to think about how this looks. Anybody who would be influenced to discard science based upon what you're doing here has the critical faculties of a ham sandwich.

Hey. If you don't know, just say so. It's okay. I won't think any less of you.

As if that was possible.

Just kidding! I think mighty highly of you and your fellow accidents.

[VadeRetro]

Oh. So under "Natural Selection" nobody actually does any selecting? Stuff just happens?

Creation/ID = God/The Raelians are deciding all kinds of cools stuff and intervening everywhere magically.

Evolution = "It's all physics/chemistry/biology and what works works."

[PatrickHenry]

Nothing more boring than an incompetent troll.

[Texas Eagle]

Yes, in the same way that Angels don't push the stars and planets on their paths. Nature is cool that way. It's what makes science possible.

Uhhhhh....another question from the back of the class....isn't science itself the study of how things work and why they work that way?

[longshadow]

Hey; it's obviously "internet night" down at the saw mill.....

..... and free beer night, too.

[Texas Eagle]

Creation/ID = God/The Raelians are deciding all kinds of cools stuff and intervening everywhere magically.

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out on the field. What are Raelians?

[VadeRetro]

Just kidding! I think mighty highly of you and your fellow accidents.

No big deal. Nobody else on your side knows beans about what he says is wrong either. We're used to it.

[longshadow]

Nothing more boring than an incompetent troll.

and nothing more messy than an incontinent one.....

[CarolinaGuitarman]

"Uhhhhh....another question from the back of the class....isn't science itself the study of how things work and why they work that way?"

Yes it is. Your point?

[PatrickHenry]

Hey; it's obviously "internet night" down at the saw mill.....

They're far more entertaining when they stick to their belching contests.

[Texas Eagle]

Evolution = "It's all physics/chemistry/biology and what works works."

So, basically, that's the same argument CarolinaGuitarman espouses....stuff happens.

And that is "science"?

[Doctor Stochastic]

And a violin playoff with Johnny (probably a young Johnny Gimbel or Johnny Bach).

[VadeRetro]

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Time out on the field. What are Raelians?

Man! You really ARE from the back of the class, aren't you?

Don't you know ID doesn't say who the designer is?

It could have been Rael.

[Texas Eagle]

Yes it is. Your point?

My point is this: What good is the study of science if "stuff happens" is the explanation for why things are the way they are and how they came to be?

[PatrickHenry]

Gentlemen, I'm out for the evening. I ain't gonna stay just to watch this. It's low-grade ore.

[cornelis]

Don't forget to say your prayers.

[Texas Eagle]

Don't you know ID doesn't say who the designer is?

I'll give you a million dollars for every mention I made of ID.