Science

A while back I was reading an article in Philosophy Now by Russell Berg in which he presented 15 criteria for distinguishing between a scientific theory and a non-scientific one. Perhaps predictably enough, his first criterion, that a scientific theory uses natural explanations, takes us to the heart of major issues, which, however, were not [...]

The Bible teaches that all humans are descended from Adam and Eve (Genesis 1:26-2:25; 5:1ff). Paul tells the members of the Athenian Areopagus, “From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth” (Acts 17:26). There is some possible, though far from conclusive scientific corroboration of the idea that [...]

Philip Sampson points out the inadequacy of views of faith which drive a wedge between it and evidence. Mystical views of faith lie at the root but in modern times Richard Dawkins is particularly associated with the view that faith is the mortal enemy of evidence. Sampson recalls scientist-theologian John Polkinghorne being interviewed by John Humphrys. [...]

Midgley rejects Dawkinism, which Dawkins erroneously assumes to be Darwinism, when Dawkins dismisses as preposterous the notion that there is any meaning or purpose to existence. Dawkins believes that there is no such thing as justice, no evil and no good. Midgley argues that even in a purely naturalistic universe the terms "good" and "evil" [...]

Justin Barrett, senior researcher at the Centre for Anthropology and Mind, Oxford University, has conducted research over the last decade which, it is claimed, shows that children are born with a predisposition to see the natural world as designed and purposeful with an intelligent being behind that purpose. He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: [...]

In the editorial for the January/February edition of Philosophy Now, Grant Bartley reports on the results of a survey among their well-educated and presumably scientifically-aware readers. When asked, "Is there a God?" 52% said Yes, 31% No and 17% Don’t Know – an overall majority for God. This particular issue was entitled Darwin & Friends, [...]

It was the view of Ernst Cassirer that humans are unique in the animal kingdom since they are the only beings with a "symbolic imagination and intelligence." Human symbols transcend the things referred to and involve conception. People mentally react to their symbols. Cassirer argued that "instead of defining man as an animal rationale, we [...]

In today’s Good Weekend I was fascinated to read about brain scientist Susan Greenfield’s theory about the influence of IT on young brains. As explained by John Cornwell, she argues that The more we play games the less time there is for learning specific facts and working out how those facts relate to each other. [...]

Biochemical researcher Phil Burcham, an Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia, reminds us of the evidence that had persuaded philosopher Anthony Flew to abandon atheism (“Famous Atheist Recants”, Australian Presbyterian, May 2008, 27-28). Flew will have nothing to do with the Christian conception of God. But he is an evidentialist and he became personally persuaded [...]

Philosopher-theologian Janet Martin Soskice was once asked if she would participate in a radio program considering the issue of whether there are miracles or not. After she agreed she was told that there would be a leading humanist putting the opposite case. She was asked, “What would you say to him?” She replied, “Why is there something rather than nothing?” [...]