Re: [pcp-discuss:] Fwd: "Intelligent Design" lobby Congress

From: Norman K. McPhail (norm@SOCAL.WANET.COM)
Date: Tue Jun 20 2000 - 19:33:34 BST

  • Next message: Norman K. McPhail: "Re: Informational dualism (was: Re: [pcp-discuss:] Fwd: "Intelligent Design" lobby Congress against Darwinism)"

    If we try to explain what we are not sure of by saying that God did it, it seems to
    me that, yes, this is just another model we use to satisfy our need to know or to
    relieve any discomfort we may feel if we admit we don't know something. Isn't this
    how many scientists relegate the spiritual realms to just a state of mind?

    If, on the other hand, we view the physical universe as a mere manifestation of God
    and the spiritual domains, then perhaps all physical phenomena are just a figment of
    an omnipotent and omniscient spiritual being. Isn't this how many theologians
    relegate the physical realms to just a hierarchical pantheistic state?

    My personal view is that both these "models" use "either/or" logic which causes a
    huge blind spot that, in turn, prevents us from reaching a better understanding of
    ourselves, each other and the universe we inhabit. I also think that an
    understanding of the modeling relation can thus be a big help in getting past our
    blind spot.

    Norm

    Don Mikulecky wrote:

    > So God is another model?
    > Don Mikulecky
    >
    > "Norman K. McPhail" wrote:
    >
    > > Well said John!
    > >
    > > John J. Kineman wrote:
    > >
    > > > On Intelligent Design:
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > The real issue involves the underlying world view. Science takes place
    > > > within a world view and cannot comment on its validity, except for its
    > > > value in developing useful explanatory and predictive models. A theological
    > > > world view precludes models by summing all processes to God. It is not
    > > > science because it precludes models (by design).
    > >
    > > ========================================
    > > Posting to pcp-discuss@lanl.gov from "Norman K. McPhail" <norm@socal.wanet.com>
    >
    > ========================================
    > Posting to pcp-discuss@lanl.gov from Don Mikulecky <mikuleck@hsc.vcu.edu>

    ========================================
    Posting to pcp-discuss@lanl.gov from "Norman K. McPhail" <norm@socal.wanet.com>



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