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The acceptance of radical ideas that challenge the status quo...typically runs through several stages...First the idea is regarded as preposterous—the ruling elite feel little threat and as much as possible ignore the challenge, but when asked confidently assert that the idea is so absurd as not to merit consideration. Second it is regarded as pernicious—the ruling elite can no longer ignore the challenge and must take active measures to suppress it, now loudly proclaiming that the idea is confused, irrational, reprehensible, and even dangerous (thus adding a moral dimension to the debate). Third, it is regarded as possible—the ruling elite reluctantly admits that the idea is not entirely absurd but claims that at best it has limited applicability; meanwhile, the mainstream realizes that the idea has far reaching consequences and is far more important that previously recognized. And fourth, it is regarded as plausible—a new status quo has emerged, with the ruling elite taking credit for the idea and the mainstream unable to imagine how people in times past could have thought otherwise.

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At what stage is the OV revolution? I would say between 1 & 2.

You can read the rest of the preface at http://www.designinference.com/documents/2002.07.des_rev.htm

This Dembski guy is a real nerd. Check out his bio and mugshot at
http://www.meta-library.net/bio/billd-frame.html

He has written two books which introduce the idea of Intelligent Design: The Design Inference (Cambridge, 1998) and Intelligent Design (InterVarsity Press, 1999). I would highly recommend these to anyone involved in the creationism/evolution debate.


Payaso

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." - Bilbo Baggins

Edited by - payaso on 07/27/2002 9:10:43 PM

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However, in the course of research, scientists inevitably stumble upon anomalies which the paradigm is unable to explain. If the paradigm repeatedly fails to explain the anomaly, a crisis ensues and alternative theories develop. Eventually a competing theory proves relatively successful in explaining the anomaly and it replaces the old paradigm. This replacement is Kuhn's "scientific revolution." Initially, the scientific community resists the replacement, but with time the success of the new paradigm gains enough support to win out. According to Kuhn, the adoption of a new paradigm necessarily establishes the creation of new research problems, methods, and expected results. The
scientists within the discipline thus sees the world in a different way than it "was" under the old paradigm. Once the old paradigm is replaced and the revolution has ended, normal science reemerges only to await the discovery of new anomalies.

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...So, I think the OV will someday become quite standard, not just because it is the most intellectually defensible (though I think it is) or most biblically grounded (though I think it is) or because it has the most practical social advantages (thought I think it does). It will become standard also -- and one could argue primarily -- because it fits with an arising worldview that has tremendous social advantages, especially via the sciences.

What do you think?

Doc

"In Christ...the ONLY THING that matters is faith energized by love." Galatians 5:6

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