View Full Version : The religification of science
I think this is a great example of the religification of science. It is the claim of some scientist in response to hearing that a pro-ID scientist was denied tenure at Iowa State University:
"I would have voted to deny him tenure," says Robert Park, a physicist at the University of Maryland in College Park. "He has established that he does not understand the scientific process."
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/05/worlds_premiere_scientific_jou.html
When one looks into the background of this pro-ID scientist, one sees that he has published many peer reviewed papers (not on ID), so he understands science perfectly well. It then follows that above quote demonstrates a distorted, religious view of science.
I think people who turn science into a religion may believe that they are supporting science, but are actually damaging it. Luckily in Europe(which is where i live), science seems to be less infected with such religious ideas, but of course this may change in the future, since religions can quickly spread.
Moridin
May25-07, 10:15 AM
Individual Universities can deny application to anyone. A college could deny the application of a person who thinks that the Holocaust never happened if they choose to without jeopardizing anything.
Science is not a democracy. Science is not about letting everyone have their own say about their personal speculation. Science is about what the evidence says.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 10:50 AM
Science is about what the evidence says.
The hypothesis: "He has established that he does not understand the scientific process."
The evidence: When one looks into the background of this pro-ID scientist, one sees that he has published many peer reviewed papers (not on ID).
The science: Hypothesis rejected.
Moridin
May25-07, 11:02 AM
So?
A person who does not use scientific methodology has no reason to claim equal rights with one who do. Just because one were successful in the past does not mean that you can get away with all sorts of unscientific behavior in the present.
I think this is a great example of the religification of science. It is the claim of some scientist in response to hearing that a pro-ID scientist was denied tenure at Iowa State University:
When one looks into the background of this pro-ID scientist, one sees that he has published many peer reviewed papers (not on ID), so he understands science perfectly well. It then follows that above quote demonstrates a distorted, religious view of science.
I think people who turn science into a religion may believe that they are supporting science, but are actually damaging it. Luckily in Europe(which is where i live), science seems to be less infected with such religious ideas, but of course this may change in the future, since religions can quickly spread.Your link is from the inventors of intelligent design - "the Discovery Institute" and is highly biased & slanted. I wouldn't believe too much of what they say.
EDIT:I knew it, Guillermo Gonzalez is Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute and published a book about intelligent design - The priveleged planet. "In 2004 he co-authored The Privileged Planet: How Our Place In The Cosmos Is Designed For Discovery with Jay W. Richards." :yuck:
He's published openly on ID and it has tarnished the University's reputation. In this case, I would agree that they are within their rights to deny tenure. Someone like Moonbear that works for a Universty could probably explain the process better.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 11:07 AM
I must complain that this thread on a sensitive issue is being hijacked. Please contain your remarks to the thesis of the OP.
Hijacked by whom and how?
I must complain that this thread on a sensitive issue is being hijacked. Please contain your remarks to the thesis of the OP.
Considering the original post contains a word that doesn't exist then its open to interpretation. I don't think that science is becoming dogmatic. If what Evo has said about the guy is true then I think the comments made about him were founded. I'm glad to see scientists standing up for themselves for once as well.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 11:19 AM
Hijacked by whom and how?
The OP objects to this statement:
"He has established that he does not understand the scientific process."
Specifically. It is his point. He provides evidence against it. Either agree with him, or provide contradictory evidence, or disprove his evidence. But to simply paint the professor with the brush of ID is to prove the OP's larger point. Can you say that Professor Hoyle did not understand the scientific process?
I hope no one here holds both of the following views at the same time:
1. ID is not falsifiable and therefor is not science.
2. ID is false and therefor is bad science.
Anyway, intelligent design is not falsifiable and would therefore not be science in the Popperian philosophy.
edit:
Beaten by the second :yuck:
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 11:26 AM
Anyway, intelligent design is not falsifiable and would therefore not be science in the Popperian philosophy.
Besides ID, are there any other views outside the realm of science that you would forbid to professors of science?
"I would have voted to deny him tenure," says Robert Park, a physicist at the University of Maryland in College Park. "He has established that he does not understand the scientific process."
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/05...tific_jou.html
When one looks into the background of this pro-ID scientist, one sees that he has published many peer reviewed papers (not on ID), so he understands science perfectly well. It then follows that above quote demonstrates a distorted, religious view of science.
Robert Parks is from Maryland, not Iowa (1675 kilometers apart, for those of you in Europe). Search far and wide enough and you will be able to find someone saying something stupid about anything.
The cited source, "evolutionnews.org" is none other than the Discovery Institute in disguise. Hardly unbiased.
Gonzalez has not received any significant grants or published any significant papers while at Iowa State. He has tarnished the university's reputation. Why should he be granted tenure?
The The Chronicle of Higher Education said of Gonzalez and the Discovery Institute's claims of discrimination "At first glance, it seems like a clear-cut case of discrimination ... But a closer look at Mr. Gonzalez's case raises some questions about his recent scholarship and whether he has lived up to his early promise." The Chronicle observed that Gonzalez had no major grants during his seven years at ISU, had published no significant research during that time and had only one graduate student finish a dissertation.
http://chronicle.com/daily/2007/05/2007052103n.htm
"I believe that I fully met the requirements for tenure at ISU," said Gonzalez,[4] to which intelligent design critic PZ Myers said "Complaining that one met all the requirements is like proposing marriage, getting turned down, and then protesting that one has a good job, a nice apartment, and excellent personal hygiene. That may be true, but it's irrelevant."[5]. Gonzalez is currently appealing the decision. The University has issued a FAQ concerning the situation saying that "The consensus of the tenured department faculty, the department chair, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the dean of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and the executive vice president and provost was that tenure should not be granted. Based on recommendations against granting tenure and promotion at every prior level of review, and his own review of the record, President Gregory Geoffroy notified Gonzalez in April that he would not be granted tenure and promotion to associate professor."[6] The Discovery Institute encouraged their followers to call and email the ISU president, Gregory Geoffroy, to pressure him in to reversing the decision, resulting in over 500 messages.[3]
http://www.iastate.edu/~nscentral/news/2007/may/tenureFAQ.shtml
Your link is from the inventors of intelligent design - "the Discovery Institute" and is highly biased & slanted. I wouldn't believe too much of what they say.
The relevant quote comes from nature (see here (http://www.google.nl/search?q=I+would+have+voted+to+deny+him+tenure%2C% 22+says+Robert+Park%2C+a+physicist+at+the+Universi ty+of+Maryland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:nl:official&client=firefox-a)).
He's published openly on ID and it has tarnished the University's reputation. In this case, I would agree that they are within their rights to deny tenure. Thats the point the ID chaps are trying to make: this could be a case of ideological/religious discrimination. The church used to have a monopoly on that.
Thats the point the ID chaps are trying to make: this could be a case of ideological/religious discrimination. The church used to have a monopoly on that.Turns out that's not the reason for his denial of tenure, he failed to meet basic tenure criteria, see my post above.
I honestly think that this guy's tenure rejection has nothing to do with his belief in intelligent design. It seems to me this guy isn't getting tenure because he didn't do his job. He didn't publish, he only had one graduate student finish a dissertation, and had no major grants.
Sure, you can say in the past he had a lot of publications.....but that's like getting a job and not doing any work and then telling your boss he can't fire you because you did a lot of work in your previous job. It doesn't work like that.
ID proponent or not...........this man does not deserve tenure.
The "relevant quote" is from someone over 1600 kilometers away. Not very relevant. The relevant facts are that Gonzalez has not brought in any significant research projects to ISU, has only one graduate student at ISU, has not made any significant publications while at ISU, and has received negative recommendations at every annual review at ISU.
Tenure is not a right; it has to be earned. Tenure spots are a scarce resource.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 11:52 AM
Turns out that's not the reason for his denial of tenure.
Is this thread about the denial of tenure, or is it about Professor Parks' reaction to it?
Is this thread about the denial of tenure, or is it about Professor Parks' reaction to it?Looks to me it's about his denial of tenure. That's what the link the OP posted is ranting about.
Since it's already been shown that the biased rant from the Discovery Institute is baseless, I guess this thread should be locked since the OP issue has been shown to be baseless?
How are the remarks of someone in a completely different university and a completely different field relevant? Give me any controversial subject and I can find someone important who said something stupid about that subject.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 12:11 PM
Considering the original post contains a word that doesn't exist then its open to interpretation.
The OED contains the word religionize, probably the OP should have used "religionization". Perhaps a linguist would point out that the attachment of "ify" and "ification" to a noun is a common practice. If I'm not wrong, the technical term for it is suffixification.
Turns out that's not the reason for his denial of tenure, he failed to meet basic tenure criteria, see my post above.
The opening post concerned the unfounded claim that Gonzales doesnt understand the scientific proces.
But as for Gonzales' credentials:
In addition to that criteria, Gonzalez's department of astronomy and physics sets a benchmark for tenure candidates to author at least 15 peer-reviewed journal articles of quality. Gonzalez said he submitted 68, of which 25 have been written since he arrived at ISU in 2001.
http://www.midiowanews.com/site/tab1.cfm?newsid=18333457&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554432&rfi=6
According to his own department's standards, to be promoted to associate professor (with tenure),
"excellence sufficient to lead to a national or international reputation is required and would ordinarily be shown by the publication of approximately fifteen papers of good quality in refereed journals."
So how many refereed articles has Gonzalez published? Ten? Twelve? Fifteen? Twenty? Actually, he has published 68 articles in refereed journals, thus exceeding his own department's normal standard for research excellence by 350%!
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/05/angry_astronomer_provides_grea.html#more
A distinguished science professor at a major American university has weighed in on Iowa State University's denial of tenure to pro-ID astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez, expressing astonishment at the result. According to Dr. Robert J. Marks, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University:
I went to the Web of Science citation index which is the authority on citations. Only journal papers, not conference papers, are indexed. There are lots of Prof. Gonzalez's papers listed. My jaw dropped when I saw one of his papers has 153 citations and 139 on another. I have sat on oodles of tenure committees at both a large private university and a state research university, chaired the university tenure committee, and have seen more tenure cases than the Pope has Cardinals. This is a LOT of citations for an assistant professor up for tenure. The number of citations varies with discipline and autocitations are included in the tally, but this is a LOT of citations for an Assistant Professor. A lot.
The Iowa State U. Astronomy department is here. Their big star is Lee Anne Willson, University Professor. A University Professor is a rank more prestigious than a full Professor. She is their star. Her top two papers are cited 99 and 86 times. And she has been at this for 33 years.
And then there's Steven D. Kawaler, a full Professor who is the Current Program Coordinator for astronomy. He has a nice citation record with tops of 243 and 178.
There may be reasons I don't understand for denying Prof. Gonzalez tenure, but scholarship is absolutely not one of them. http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/05/science_professor_expresses_as.html
The opening post concerned the unfounded claim that Gonzales doesnt understand the scientific proces.
But as for Gonzales' credentials:This is all from the Discovery Institute, not a credible source. Please find something from a credible academic source.
out of whack
May25-07, 12:29 PM
Thats the point the ID chaps are trying to make: this could be a case of ideological/religious discrimination. The church used to have a monopoly on that.
It's actually an interesting angle to suggest that he was denied tenure based on his religious belief. But there's a technical problem. The complaint might work if he had written about creationism instead of ID. Writing about the former might have shown religious faith (since creationism is religious in nature). But writing in support of some debunked pseudo-science (which is what ID is) shows that he failed in the critical application of science.
...and of course that wasn't even the reason in the first place as Evo has shown.
Gokul43201
May25-07, 12:39 PM
From PIT's earlier quote:
According to his own department's standards, to be promoted to associate professor (with tenure),
"excellence sufficient to lead to a national or international reputation is required and would ordinarily be shown by the publication of approximately fifteen papers of good quality in refereed journals."
So how many refereed articles has Gonzalez published? Ten? Twelve? Fifteen? Twenty? Actually, he has published 68 articles in refereed journals, thus exceeding his own department's normal standard for research excellence by 350%! That's an outright lie! He did not produce 68 "good quality" papers based on work done at ISU. The Discovery Institute author is clearly misrepresenting the case.
Chi Meson
May25-07, 12:40 PM
The hypothesis: "He has established that he does not understand the scientific process."
The evidence: When one looks into the background of this pro-ID scientist, one sees that he has published many peer reviewed papers (not on ID).
The science: Hypothesis rejected.
counterpoint:
Just because he has followed the scientific process does not prove he understands the process.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 12:43 PM
Just because he has followed the scientific process does not prove he understands the process.
Good point. Well, pretty weak point actually. But Parks' thesis is that he does NOT understand the process. What is the evidence for that?
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 12:44 PM
debunked pseudo-science.
Did you get a load of message #9 in this thread?
This is all from the Discovery Institute, not a credible source. Please find something from a credible academic source.In my other post i provided a link to nature. U can forget my previous quotes from discovery institute. Here is a link to an academic source:
http://www.math.utep.edu/Faculty/sewell/isu.html
Another source where one can check Gonzales publication history is the "Web of Science citation index".
Either way, i am not claiming Gonzales was denied tenure because he is pro-ID, but i do think it should be investigated.
Huckleberry
May25-07, 12:46 PM
Here (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5007508) is a link that explains some of the ridicule and punishment that people in the scientific community have endured because of their personal beliefs, regardless of whether they actually taught that belief or not. Gonzales is mentioned about 7m20s into the 13m discussion. I found it interesting.
Writing about the former might have shown religious faith (since creationism is religious in nature). But writing in support of some debunked pseudo-science (which is what ID is) shows that he failed in the critical application of science.Wasnt ID declared to be religious by some judge in america? :biggrin:
Gokul43201
May25-07, 12:53 PM
Good point. Well, pretty weak point actually. But Parks' thesis is that he does NOT understand the process. What is the evidence for that?Does the OP provide the entire quote from Parks? Does it link to an interview which explores Parks' reasons for making his statement? With just a single sentence excerpt, how are we to judge the basis for Parks' opinion? It may have been from something Parks' read in Gonzales' book; it may have been from a conversation that Parks had with Gonzales; there may have been a gazillion reasons for Parks to arrive at his conclusion.
Providing an unreferenced, contextually lacking, single-sentence excerpt of Parks' statement is what is off-topic to the point the OP is trying to make.
Providing an unreferenced, contextually lacking, single-sentence excerpt of Parks' statement is what is off-topic to the point the OP is trying to make.U can read the full story in nature, but its not for free i think.
U can read the full story in nature, but its not for free i think.From going to your "link" it's a "news" item, not an article and it's titled "Darwin sceptic says views cost tenure". It sounds like they are just passing on the Discovery Institute's version of what they want people to hear.
Gokul43201
May25-07, 01:06 PM
There isn't even a link or citation to the original article in Nature Magazine. Without at least that much, there's really no way any of us can comment on the rationale behind Parks' statement. Does someone have a link to the article in Nature?
And do you want this discussion to be about the reasons behind Parks' statement, or the reasons behind tenure rejection, or something else?
Here (http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5007508) is a link that explains some of the ridicule and punishment that people in the scientific community have endured because of their personal beliefs, regardless of whether they actually taught that belief or not. Gonzales is mentioned about 7m20s into the 13m discussion. I found it interesting.Yes that certainly was a disgraceful situation. Of course science is all just people at work, and people share many not-so-pleasant characterics, but its sad to watch it happen anyway.
From going to your "link" it's a "news" item, not an article and it's titled "Darwin sceptic says views cost tenure".Its not a news "item", its a news "article" :yuck:
It sounds like they are just passing on the Discovery Institute's version of what they want people to hear.Could be, though i doubt that nature suddenly started spreading discovery institutes views.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 01:16 PM
And do you want this discussion to be about the reasons behind Parks' statement, or the reasons behind tenure rejection, or something else?
It is my opinion that the answer to this question is in the original post and subsequent posts by the original poster.
It is my opinion that the answer to this question is in the original post and subsequent posts by the original poster.So you're saying this entire thread is to discuss one unrelated individual's remark about the tenure decision, which by the way was not involved in the tenure decision? So this is pointless?
Could be, though i doubt that nature suddenly started spreading discovery institutes viewsI agree, the part we cannot see and that was ommited from the Discovery Institute's page may have had the debunking.
There isn't even a link or citation to the original article in Nature Magazine. Without at least that much, there's really no way any of us can comment on the rationale behind Parks' statement. Does someone have a link to the article in Nature?Heres the link:
http://www.google.nl/search?q=I+would+have+voted+to+deny+him+tenure%2C% 22+says+Robert+Park%2C+a+physicist+at+the+Universi ty+of+Maryland&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&aq=t&rls=org.mozilla:nl:official&client=firefox-a
And do you want this discussion to be about the reasons behind Parks' statement, or the reasons behind tenure rejection, or something else?The discussion was meant to be about the religification (or religionisation or something) of science, something that is also known as scientism. The quote in the opening post was an example of how such statements reflect this.
Chi Meson
May25-07, 01:29 PM
Good point. Well, pretty weak point actually. But Parks' thesis is that he does NOT understand the process. What is the evidence for that?
Have papers published is neither proof for nor against the claim that he "understands the scientific process." That was my point.
And regarding another tangent:
there are only two people who may decide whether or not a thread has strayed beyond it's vague parameters, the original poster and the mentor.
Have papers published is neither proof for nor against the claim that he "understands the scientific process." That was my point.Can someone publish papers without applying the scientific process?
What exactly does the scientific process mean, particularly with respect to a non-experimental science such as astronomy?
Can someone publish papers without applying the scientific process?It would depend where they were published. Certainly not papers published supporting ID to places that would accept such a thing.
It would depend where they were published. Certainly not papers published supporting ID to places that would accept such a thing.He didnt publish any ID papers and it would be breaking news if he did.
He didnt publish any ID papers and it would be breaking news if he did.Guillermo Gonzalez is Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute and published a book about intelligent design - The priveleged planet. "In 2004 he co-authored The Privileged Planet: How Our Place In The Cosmos Is Designed For Discovery with Jay W. Richards."
Someday you guys will have to explain to me
1) why the crap posts get so many replies.
2) why they're not locked.
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 02:09 PM
So you're saying this entire thread is to discuss one unrelated individual's remark about the tenure decision, which by the way was not involved in the tenure decision? So this is pointless?
Yes, the entire thread is to discuss Park's remark. It is pointless to the topic which you apparently wish to discuss, but not pointless to the OP.
Guillermo Gonzalez is Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute and published a book about intelligent design - The priveleged planet. "In 2004 he co-authored The Privileged Planet: How Our Place In The Cosmos Is Designed For Discovery with Jay W. Richards."The point was: he didnt publish any ID papers, thus the 70 or so papers he did publish in peer reviewed scientific journals, were not about ID. He wrote a book though.
Someday you guys will have to explain to me
1) why the crap posts get so many replies.
2) why they're not locked.A careful observer will notice that many rational people suddenly abandon rationality when it comes to ID, creationism or religious issues.
There is a famous quote that goes something like this:
"When fighting the enemy, be careful not to become the enemy."
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 02:35 PM
When fighting the enemy, be careful not to become the enemy.
We have met the enemy, and he is us. Walt Kelly.
The point was: he didnt publish any ID papers, thus the 70 or so papers he did publish in peer reviewed scientific journals, were not about ID. He wrote a book though.Not just papers, he also gave lectures on ID.
ISU professor argues for intelligent design
By William Dillon, Staff Writer
09/29/2005
CEDAR FALLS - Iowa State University Assistant Professor Guillermo Gonzalez was welcomed by a standing room-only crowd in Cedar Falls Wednesday, but his lecture on intelligent design in science was delivered to many already devoutly critical of the theory.
Gonzalez used the first 45 minutes of the Sigma Xi lecture to explain the theory of intelligent design, as well as his own theory that says the link between the conditions required for life and the conditions required for doing science on earth are inference for design.
http://www.midiowanews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15300882&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554188&rfi=8
Lists of his ID writings http://www.discovery.org/scripts/viewDB/index.php?command=submitSearchQuery&query=Guillermo%20Gonzalez&orderBy=date&orderDir=DESC&searchBy=author&searchType=all&includeBlogPosts=true
One of the first questions of the night came from Hector Avalos, an ISU associate professor of religious studies and firm believer against the idea of intelligent design in science.
After the lecture, Gonzalez admitted he was "a little intimidated" to see Avalos at the public lecture. Avalos has invited Gonzalez numerous times to participate in a forum debate on the topic of intelligent design.
http://www.midiowanews.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15300882&BRD=2700&PAG=461&dept_id=554188&rfi=8
Thats from the same source.
The opening post concerned the unfounded claim that Gonzales doesnt understand the scientific proces.
But as for Gonzales' credentials:
A distinguished science professor at a major American university has weighed in on Iowa State University's denial of tenure to pro-ID astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez, expressing astonishment at the result. According to Dr. Robert J. Marks, Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Baylor University:
Quote:
I went to the Web of Science citation index which is the authority on citations. Only journal papers, not conference papers, are indexed. There are lots of Prof. Gonzalez's papers listed. My jaw dropped when I saw one of his papers has 153 citations and 139 on another. I have sat on oodles of tenure committees at both a large private university and a state research university, chaired the university tenure committee, and have seen more tenure cases than the Pope has Cardinals. This is a LOT of citations for an assistant professor up for tenure. The number of citations varies with discipline and autocitations are included in the tally, but this is a LOT of citations for an Assistant Professor. A lot.
The Iowa State U. Astronomy department is here. Their big star is Lee Anne Willson, University Professor. A University Professor is a rank more prestigious than a full Professor. She is their star. Her top two papers are cited 99 and 86 times. And she has been at this for 33 years.
And then there's Steven D. Kawaler, a full Professor who is the Current Program Coordinator for astronomy. He has a nice citation record with tops of 243 and 178.
There may be reasons I don't understand for denying Prof. Gonzalez tenure, but scholarship is absolutely not one of them.
http://www.evolutionnews.org/2007/05...resses_as.html
I'm not sure how the citation numbers work. I know in the past, groups have been able to trash google and yahoo searches so that the first several pages are saturated with pro/con pages of the group (just search for Guillermo Gonzalez and see how many pro-ID sites pop up for one example).
Just running through the 176 citations of one of Gonzalez's articles, 34 were by a group of 3 (Santos, Israelian, & Mayor), 13 by Gonzalez himself, and 13 by a group with Debra Fischer. I didn't go through all of the names, but just counted a few that stuck out as being very common. That doesn't seem like the numbers are being manipulated to me, but I don't know what's normal. It wouldn't take more than a dozen people to inflate a person's citation numbers.
If Gonzalez was turned down because of his ID views, he wouldn't be the first professor to at least draw a lot closer scrutiny of his work because of an unpopular view. Ward Churchill was discovered to have falsified information, plagiarized the work of others, and improperly reported the results of studies, plus was found to be disrepectful of Indian oral traditions. His years of research misconduct went unnoticed until he compared victims of 9/11 to Nazis.
I'd be surprised if Gonzalez's association with ID had no impact at all in his being denied tenure. I'm not even sure that's unreasonable in spite of a university's desire to have its evaluations be seen as based solely on objective criteria. The image a professor gives a university has a real impact and it's a tough call balancing between protected speech and the monetary impact a highly visible professor can have on a university. It does diminish the air of academic freedom to the same level as any other institution that has to balance a checkbook.
Thats from the same source.:rofl: In other words Gonzales was caught "with his pants down"! I'm sure finding a professor that works in the same University that you work at showing up at a talk aimed at pushing Intelligent Design as science was his worst nightmare. :rofl:
Interesting thread, mostly because it's close to home for me. I am a graduate student at the ISU physics department. In fact I'm in one of the astrophysics groups, and I just realized (after looking it up on the website) that Professor Gonzalez's office is just a few doors down from mine! Strangely, however, virtually everyone on this thread is more knowledgable about this whole thing than I am. Aside from a short blurb in the local newspaper, this is actually the first I'm hearing about all this. Heck, I've never even met Professor Gonzalez.
Anyway, in regards to the OP. I agree that there's a sort of "religification" of science, but it rarely comes from scientists. Religious or otherwise, I've found that scientists tend to understand the abilities and limitations of science, and they don't treat it as a religion. There is, however, a growing number of non-scientists who have a strong interest in science. While I welcome interest in science, I've found that some people tend to get the idea that science can fulfill the same societal role as religion. Usually I just leave these people to their own devices, since they'll eventually discover the folly of such an approach. It is, however, unfortunate that such individuals give the general public the idea that science is some sort of comprehensive guide to the human condition.
As to the claim that Gonzalez doesn't understand science, all I have to say is that if someone has earned a scientific PhD, you'll have a hard time convincing me that said person doesn't understand science. Might he be misapplying science? Maybe, though seeing as how I'm not familiar with Professor Gonzalez's work, I really can't offer any meaningful comment either way. But I don't doubt that the professor understands science.
Alas, I probably won't get away without at least commenting on Intelligent Design. Personally I'm a religious person. I have a near-perfect church attendance record (for whatever that's worth), and if not for the fact that I believe in evolution, there are those who might call me "fundamentalist." What I'm trying to say is that I obviously have no difficulty with the idea of a divine Creator. The problem I see with ID, however, is that it's extremely ill-defined. Does ID say that the earth is 6,000 years old? Does ID deny the observable process of biological evolution? Or does it merely make a theological pronouncement that God is responsible for creation? I'm not really sure, and not because I haven't done my homework. I've posed these questions to ID-proponents, and I never get a straight answer. Apparently, ID has a different meaning to different people. So how can we formulate ID as valid science when we can't even agree on precisely what ID is? And then there's the more important question: precisely how does one do research into ID? The very notion of doing ID research is not very favorable to religious people. It suggests that our level of religious faith should be based on our current scientific understanding. I doubt that the saints and theologians of old (=before the existence of science) would have agreed with such an approach.
So for those who didn't read everything I wrote above, here's the short version. Yes, some people do turn science into a religion, but not through any fault of scientists. No, Professor Gonzalez does not misunderstand science. And Intelligent Design = not good.
Hi arumna, thanks for that.
It seems Gonzales just does not meet the minimum criteria for tenure.
Aside from that, he is a driving force in a society who's goal is to undermine science.
The Discovery Institute Goals (of which Gonzales is a senior member) their "Wedge" document clearly states their purpose.
Governing Goals
To defeat scientific materialism and its destructive moral, cultural and political legacies.
To replace materialistic explanations with the theistic understanding that nature and human beings are created by God.
The social consequences of materialism have been devastating. As symptoms, those consequences are certainly worth treating. However, we are convinced that in order to defeat materialism, we must cut it off at its source. That source is scientific materialism. This is precisely our strategy. If we view the predominant materialistic science as a giant tree, our strategy is intended to function as a "wedge" that, while relatively small, can split the trunk when applied at its weakest points. The very beginning of this strategy, the "thin edge of the wedge," was Phillip ]ohnson's critique of Darwinism begun in 1991 in Darwinism on Trial, and continued in Reason in the Balance and Defeatng Darwinism by Opening Minds. Michael Behe's highly successful Darwin's Black Box followed Johnson's work. We are building on this momentum, broadening the wedge with a positive scientific alternative to materialistic scientific theories, which has come to be called the theory of intelligent design (ID). Design theory promises to reverse the stifling dominance of the materialist worldview, and to replace it with a science consonant with Christian and theistic convictions.
http://www.public.asu.edu/~jmlynch/idt/wedge.html
Jimmy Snyder
May25-07, 11:01 PM
The problem I see with ID, however, is that it's extremely ill-defined. Does ID say that the earth is 6,000 years old? Does ID deny the observable process of biological evolution? Or does it merely make a theological pronouncement that God is responsible for creation?
In spite of its name, Intelligent Design is not the theory that there is intelligent design in the universe. If it were, every scientist would have to be considered a proponent willy nilly by virtue of their search for the design. ID is the theory that the universe was designed by an intelligent being. If you have not heard this definition before, you are hearing it now. It does not say that the earth is 6,000 years old. It does not deny the observable process of biological evolution. It does not make a theological pronouncement. It does not say that G-d is responsible for creation.
As far as I know, no one has proposed an experiment that would falsify it and as such, it is not science. Love is not science either. There are a variety of individuals with a variety of agendas that have latched onto this theory. To judge a theory, whether it be a scientific theory or otherwise, by the shortcomings of the people who promote it is known as arguing ad hominem.
As I am not a scientist, my personal view of ID may not be of much interest to you. However, for the record, I do not see as much design in the universe as scientists do. I see a great beauty, simplicity, symmetry, and intelligence in the models that scientists have proposed for the understanding of the universe, but when I look at the universe, I see error bars. As time goes on and scientific theories improve, those error bars shrink, but they don't go away. I imagine that see a fundamental chaos at the center. This means I have no reason to believe that there was an intelligent designer.
In spite of its name, Intelligent Design is not the theory that there is intelligent design in the universe. If it were, every scientist would have to be considered a proponent willy nilly by virtue of their search for the design. ID is the theory that the universe was designed by an intelligent being. If you have not heard this definition before, you are hearing it now. It does not say that the earth is 6,000 years old. It does not deny the observable process of biological evolution. It does not make a theological pronouncement. It does not say that G-d is responsible for creation.
Actually I have heard that definition before. My main problem is that I've also heard several other definitions of ID. To some people it is six-day young earth creationism, to others it is a more relaxed form of creationism, and then there's the Raelian version of ID.
As far as I know, no one has proposed an experiment that would falsify it and as such, it is not science. Love is not science either. There are a variety of individuals with a variety of agendas that have latched onto this theory. To judge a theory, whether it be a scientific theory or otherwise, by the shortcomings of the people who promote it is known as arguing ad hominem.
Yes I agree. But then, I'm not judging ID. If anyone were to ask me my opinion on ID, I think the best response I could give would be "inconclusive." At least classical creationism can be easily refuted by the near-indisputable evidence for biological evolution and other related phenomena. But ID is just too vague. Again, I'm all for saying that God created the universe. I wouldn't even mind teaching it in school (maybe that's why some people call me a fundamentalist), though in some sort of a religion class of course, not a science class. But how do you scientifically prove that God created the universe? This, I think, is the testable hypothesis that ID people have failed to provide.
Perhaps religious scientists should stop trying to push ID, and just address the issue of religion more often. After all, I doubt that anyone would complain about scientists saying that God exists and that people should obey him. After all, we in America pride ourselves in upholding the ethic of religious freedom. The problem here is not that some scientists are religious, but that some scientists may be advocating pseudoscience. Besides that, the ultimate goal of most religious people is to sway the non-religious to become religious. ID just seems like a highly circuitous way of accomplishing this.
As I am not a scientist, my personal view of ID may not be of much interest to you. However, for the record, I do not see as much design in the universe as scientists do. I see a great beauty, simplicity, symmetry, and intelligence in the models that scientists have proposed for the understanding of the universe, but when I look at the universe, I see error bars. As time goes on and scientific theories improve, those error bars shrink, but they don't go away. I imagine that see a fundamental chaos at the center. This means I have no reason to believe that there was an intelligent designer.
Actually, until the penultimate sentence of this paragraph, I agree with you. Granted, I'm a rather strange physicist, since most physicists see immense symmetry in nature. But to be perfectly honest, I find physics to be one of the more dubious of the sciences. Sciences like biology and chemistry have theories that are built on observation (i.e. you can see evolution through the fossil record, you can observe DNA, etc.). In physics, however, it's necessary to make educated guesses, until you stumble on one that predicts accurate results. Much like you, all I see is a bunch of error bars.
Now, by no means do I dislike physics. To be clear, I enjoy physics very much, and I wouldn't want to be in any other discipline (which is a good thing, since I'll be investing the next five years of my life to get my PhD in the subject!). But I wouldn't be surprised if half of all the models in physics turn out to be flat out wrong.
Pythagorean
May25-07, 11:38 PM
Someday you guys will have to explain to me
1) why the crap posts get so many replies.
2) why they're not locked.
Best way to learn on PF: make a ridiculous claim so that people will vehemently prove their point to you (and thus, teach you).
Best way to not get limited (or no) responses: ask a question
Best way to learn on PF: make a ridiculous claim so that people will vehemently prove their point to you (and thus, teach you).
Best way to not get limited (or no) responses: ask a question
Well, in my last post I suggested that physics is all a bunch of lies. Have at it!
moe darklight
May26-07, 12:00 AM
well I haven't read the ENTIRE thread, since it's growing like a fungus. but my opinion on the original post is pretty simple (this goes in general):
1) if the professor in question teaches a subject where his teachings would be infected by ID (like biology), then it would be ridiculous to hire him obviously.
2) if the professor is to teach an unrelated subject (chemistry, computer engineering), then I don't see a problem. He might be very knowledgeable on his specific area, regardless of his ignorance in another. It's the same as hiring an English professor who knows nothing of quantum mechanics, it shouldn't make a difference as long as he knows whatever he's teaching.
Jimmy Snyder
May26-07, 06:07 AM
Actually I have heard that definition before. My main problem is that I've also heard several other definitions of ID. To some people it is six-day young earth creationism, to others it is a more relaxed form of creationism, and then there's the Raelian version of ID.
If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a cow have?
Yes I agree. But then, I'm not judging ID.
Sorry, that finger pointing stuff was not at you.
I find physics to be one of the more dubious of the sciences. Sciences like biology and chemistry have theories that are built on observation (i.e. you can see evolution through the fossil record, you can observe DNA, etc.). In physics, however, it's necessary to make educated guesses, until you stumble on one that predicts accurate results. Much like you, all I see is a bunch of error bars.
You go too far for my taste. I think physics is the best game in town. It is nature, not physics that has those error bars. In physics, they are shrunk smaller than they are in any other science. As for physics not being built on observation, I'm afraid I don't even know what you mean. Although the story of how Galileo dropped the balls off of the tower of Pisa is well known, I think the story of how he figured out the inverse square law is a better one to show how observation works in physics and more generally in science.
Chi Meson
May26-07, 08:53 AM
Well, in my last post I suggested that physics is all a bunch of lies. Have at it!
Did you? I'm not sure if you understood your post at all! :sarcasm smiley: joking!
Seriously, being incorrect is not the same as lying. Being aware that models and theories could be incorrect is part of a responsible scientific attitude.
In light of recent posts, my opinion on the scientist in question has modified. While one may be able to follow established rules (set by the scientific community) in order to publish research papers in responsible, peer-reviewed journals, this does not itself prove that the scientist "understands the scientific process." But if that scientist can repeatedly publish papers that are cited and supported by a significant percentage of the scientific community, then the probability that this scientist "understands" the scientific process grows proportionally.
The problem I see with ID "as a science," is the response to the question "if a larger being created the universe, what created the creator?" The responses are of two kinds: "it is something that we cannot understand/something that is beyond us" and/or "the creator has always been there."
But these two responses can be applied to our scientific models BEFORE the insertion of "a creator." If ID folks truly thought that ID is science, then they should see that the scientific attitude should preclude such an insertion.
This seems to be a good place to end this thread.
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