Re: What is Intelligent Design?



On 2008-05-07 09:05:38 -0400, Vernon Balbert <vbalbert@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> said:

What is Intelligent Design?

This question is directed towards the adherents to ID. I keep seeing people arguing in such a way that makes this seem like a question whose answer is situational. So I want to lock it down: What, exactly, is ID to somebody who believes in ID?

From what I understand, part of it is a formula to calculate
probability of given object or 'information system' as they like to call it, as a product of intelligence. Nevermind, that in all occurances where we can actually determine intelligent causation, we know or assume possible 'designers' already, how they are inclined to behave, what they can build, and what natural causes, if any, could lead to similarly created objects. And that somehow, we should just go ahead and rule out natural causation for the formation of life because its a waste of time and resources.

They like to compare ID to systematic flaking, where we look at certain characteristics of a rock to determine if a rock was chipped for use as a primitive tool by ancient man or a primate, or formed naturally by erosion, rock slides, etc.



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