Comment

Melanie Phillips Takes a Wrong Turn on 'Intelligent Design' Creationism

954
Bob Levin5/04/2009 2:37:16 pm PDT

#948 Salamantis,

Again, you’re generalizing to the point of losing the sight of the specific. What is wrong with Kuhn, what is wrong with Burke? Who said anything about Foucault? All they are saying is that there is veneer of objectivity to the sciences, that historically aren’t as objective as those sciences would like us to think. From there you conclude that they are denigrating all scientific work? Seriously? I conclude that they are calling for more careful reasoning based on empirical knowledge, and the fearlessness to pursue such knowledge regardless of the peer pressure of their colleagues. Do you recognize the existence of this peer pressure? Especially when the science are so grant driven? Do you think the current thinking about Global Warming is some kind of anomaly in the history of science? Kuhn, Burke, and okay—Foucault—say that it is not. Now we have an interesting phenomena, you and I, we are referring to the exact same texts and drawing the opposite conclusions. And yet, we both seem to want reasoned discussion based on facts. I suspect you and could even disagree on the meaning of certain experimental data. But you know what, that’s science. There is debate in science. The idea is to use proper tools of analysis, and yes, linguistic analysis, to keep the debate from degenerating into name calling—or ad hominem attacks. And when did I even mention the Bible, and young earth theory? Who are you arguing with? Sometimes me, sometimes not me. If you could please, argue with me. Don’t be afraid to ask a question: Bob, how do you feel about Young Earth Creationism? You know, like that. Argue with the data in front of you. But, hey, that’s the way I roll.

#949 Freetoken,

I don’t know Ms. Phillips. But what I have read of her has been helpful and informative. So, I suppose I’m not forgetting that I’m grateful. I can be grateful to someone and disagree with them on some things.

#951 Salamantis

I guess she does have the chance to prove it. But going back to my original post, the topic of religion is actually very complicated. When I start reading religious discussions that approach the sophistication of baseball discussions in Cinncinnati and St. Louis, then I’ll raise my expectations for Ms. Phillips on the topic of religion. I have every confidence that if the general level of religious discourse rises, so will hers.