07.10.11
Axial Age and design thinking?
Stephen Meyer on the Heuristic Benefits of Intelligent Design
I think that real evolutionary dynamics is so elusive that a combinaation of dynamical and design probings applied dialectically is the best approach. The problem with design arguments is that they degenerate (surprise!) into crude theistic arguments, based on a totally confusing assumption about omnipotence doing what seems impossible for a mechanical device. That’s instant trouble, because we have no way of really knowing the limits of mechanism.
A further problem lies in the assumptions made by Xtian design thinkers about the history in the Old Testament taken as evidence of design. But it won’t work, and this example throws the entire design logic out of whack.
We cannot say that ‘god’ acted in history as recounted in the Old Testament. It makes no sense anymore. But if we look at the Axial Age as a whole we discover to our surprise a different kind of design logic in the massive synchrony of dialectical counterpoints, e.g. the parallel emergence of monotheism and atheist religions like buddhism. The ‘design’ seems elusive yet obvious, but it is hard to see how an intelligent designer, if seen as a theistic entity, would program an atheist religion.
The Axial Age and design arguments said,
July 10, 2011 at 12:38 pm
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