09 JAN 2013 by ideonexus

 Science Faith

Many religious believers mischaracterize naturalists as people without faith, but that is absurd. Eve^ryone must believe in something—it's part of human nature. I I have no problem acknowledging that 1 have beliefs, though they differ from more traditional kinds of faith. Naturalists must believe, first of all, that the work is understandable and that it knowledge of the world can be obtained through observation, experimentation, and verification. Most scientists don't think much about this...
Folksonomies: science faith naturalism
Folksonomies: science faith naturalism
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Scientists have faith that the world can be understood rationally.

08 JAN 2013 by ideonexus

 The Danger of Teleological Accounts of Evolution

It's important to remember that arguments over evolutionary mechanisms often depend on the deeply held convictions of evolutionary biologists—after all, biologists are people, too! Almost everyone is reluctant to let go of deeply held convictions. Many biologists, in particular, are still attracted to teleological accounts of evolution. Teleology is the idea that all activities tend toward the achievement of some sort of goal. "Everything as to its purpose" is the undercurrent of teleology,...
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The idea that evolution has a purpose and that natural selection works efficiently are erroneous.