Re: In the news: Scientists condemn 'intelligent design'

On Mon, 24 Oct 2005 10:56:41 +1000,
John Wilkins <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> Paul J Gans wrote:
>> John Wilkins <john@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

[snip]

>>>The problem isn't creationism. It isn't Intelligent Design. It's every
>>>and all antimodernism that's ever been around from the antivaccination
>>>crowd to flat earthers to antigenetics to antiecology to antinuclear
>>>power to these two idiocies. It's the fact that most of the world can't
>>>cope with defeasible knowledge and change from comfortable certainties.
>>>Humans do not, as Aristotle wrongly thought they did, desire to know.
>>>Humans desire to be convinced they are right.

[snip more good stuff]

>> John, this is brilliant. May I propagate it (with your
>> name on it of course)?
>>
>> In my opinion you've got it exactly right.

I agree with John (and Paul).

It's important to realize the implications of what John says. Winning a
trial in Dover PA based on some legal niceties isn't going to change a
thing. The anti-science crowd will still be convinced that the Bible is
right and they'll still be convinced that scientists are engaged in a
vast conspiracy to suppress the truth. The trial will simply give them
more evidence of that conspiracy.

Scientists have lost the battle for the hearts and minds of the average
citizen. Even worse, we've given up fighting for it because we've allowed
our attention to be diverted to side issues like the separation of church
and state and what should be taught in public schools.



Larry Moran

.

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