The Nature of Science, Evolution & Creationism part 1 Mike Phillips Geology Professor

Foundations of Science  Natural Cause: The universe behaves in a predictable way under “rules” that can be determined through observation and experimentation.  Efficient Cause: effect follows cause (no Final Cause, no teleological)

Scientific Explanations  must be natural  must be supported by available data  must be testable & falsifiable  subject to revision or refinement or negation  should be predictive

Scientific Explanations  no arguments from or appeals to authority can & should build on published work of others must be prepared to defend previous work as well as your own

Theory & Hypothesis  Hypothesis a working explanation or “educated guess” competing hypotheses are often investigated simultaneously  Theory the best explanation supported by a preponderance of the evidence the best a scientist can hope for

Why give science precedence?  It works!  Examples Germ theory: explains why we get sick Plate tectonics theory: explains earthquakes & volcanoes & predicts economic deposits Gravity theory: allows safe space travel Natural selection theory: agricultural development, improved medical practice (laboratory experimentation & germ control), enhanced pest control

Where does the Bible fit?  Purpose of Bible ethical philosophy not a science text  “Gap” problem Bible doesn’t always match up with nature Bible missing most of modern science, medicine, and technology  Many interpretations  One inspired source among many

Science & religion (some perspectives)  Nature is God’s will, no need to investigate.  If it’s in the Bible, that’s how it is (was); all scientific explanations must conform to the Bible.  Nature operates according to God’s laws, what science cannot explain is where God has intervened.  Nature operates according to God’s laws, God never intervenes.  Nature operates according to natural laws. (no comment on God)  Nature operates according to natural laws. (there is no God)

Tests for a scientific explanation  Was the explanation derived from observation?  Does the explanation rely on natural cause?  Is it supported by natural data?  Can the explanation be changed or negated in the light of new information?

Helpful Resources  National Center for Science Education  evolution: science and belief: Intelligent Design?  Religious Tolerance.org  Talk.Origins