On 6/30/05 6:39 AM, Eric Johnson's electrons arrived as:

> But at the same time, I'm amazed to read what you wrote here--that "science
> does not lead to god."  Isn't that exactly the same kind of a priori
> "argument from conclusion" that you accuse the IDers of making?

Eric, thanks -- I appreciate your comments.

Unless perhaps god is defined as an abstract shot of lightning into the
primordial soup from which matters continued on their own course -- in which
case the cause of supernaturalism fades entirely into the shadow of
naturalism, science does not (cannot) lead to god.  Science studies the
natural world -- god is supernatural.  You might as well suggest that by
studying the English language you can discover the structure and syntax of
Bengali.


> If there are patterns in nature that lead some to think that there
> is an intelligent designer, then why not explore those patterns and explain
> why those claimants are right or wrong?

But that is precisely what science is doing already!  It studies patterns,
and while some people have suggested those patterns are evidence of god,
science cannot come to that conclusion.  And, it has very clearly explained
why the scientific claims of ID are wrong.

As long as god or the intelligent designer is regarded as being
supernatural, science cannot illuminate the subject -- it has no way to
study it.  If god is speculated to be an intellectually superior alien being
with advanced abilities subject to natural law, then science is already
undertaking the exploration you've asked of it above (google SETI, for one).

All best,
/stephen

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