Thursday, March 22, 2012

Is Darwin’s theory of evolution a theory about everything or about nothing?

Some actually think that Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution applies to all biological processes. In other words, Orthodox Darwinists assert that the reason that evolution applies in all, each and every, situation is because it is, biologically speaking, a theory about everything. Yet, clearly, it is a worldview philosophy and a theory about nothing.

Consider the following attempted catch all Darwinian statement by Prof. Randy Thornhill (Department of Biology, University of New Mexico):


Under certain conditions of human evolutionary history outgroup alliances are highly advantageous whereas under others close ingroup alliances better promote
survival.*

To elucidate the problems with this view, which is premised upon Darwinism not as a theory about biology but a worldview philosophy, consider the following observations.

Do-While Jones:


Notice that if things are similar, it is evidence of evolution. It shows they have a common origin. But, if things are different, it is evidence of evolution.
It shows that they have changed over time. Since similarity is evidence of evolution, and difference is evidence of evolution, everything is evidence of evolution!**

Philip S. Skell:


Natural selection makes humans self-centered and aggressive — except when it makes them altruistic and peaceable. Or natural selection produces virile men who eagerly spread their seed — except when it prefers men who are faithful protectors and providers. When an explanation is so supple that it can explain any behavior, it is difficult to test it experimentally, much less use it as a catalyst for scientific discovery.***

With regards to Game Theory, Benjamin Wiker notes,


By using games with fewer rules than Candy Land, the Darwinian game theorists are claiming "to uncover the fundamental principles governing our decision-making mechanisms." We’d better take a closer look, starting with their presuppositions … The answer seems to be that whatever has survived must be the most fit; therefore whatever exists must have been the result of natural selection. Fairness exists; therefore, it must be the result of natural selection. Q.E.D. It is always convenient to have a theory that cannot possibly be proved wrong.****


Related resources:

They are teaching lies to our kids

Question Evolution! Campaign

15 questions for evolutionists

Scientific American admits creationists hit a sore spot

Refuting evolution

Atheism

Notes:

* Roger Highfield, “Does a poor upbringing make you more left wing?,” Daily Telegraph, 23 May 2007 AD

** Do-While Jones, “Comparative Anatomy Vindicated,” Science Versus Evolution’s newsletter “Disclosure,” Jan 2012 AD, Vol 16, Issue 4

*** Philip S. Skell, “Why Do We Invoke Darwin? - Evolutionary theory contributes little to experimental biology,” The Scientist, August 29, 2005 AD
Skell is a Member of the National Academy of Sciences and Emeritus Evan Pugh Professor at Pennsylvania State University

**** Benjamin Wiker, “Playing Games with Good and Evil: The Failure of Darwinism to Explain Morality, Crisis,” Discovery, 1 May, 2002 AD.
FYI:
Candy Land is a “Hasbro” board game for children ages 3 and up.

2 comments:

  1. Q.E.D. does not signify circular logic. It is used at the end of some philosophy papers as signaling a restatement of the paper's conclusion. 'As was to be expected' is how I have always interpreted that phrase.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you, quite true. Correction has been made.

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.