gjphw@ihuxm.UUCP (02/15/84)
This is just a quick note in reply to one of the points made by A.R. Miller
(uiucdcs) concerning the contributions made to science by some great scien-
tists of the past. I hope to advance the view that science is a progressive
accumulation of ideas and concepts, and what worked in the past may not work
today.
Specifically, the contribution that is being questioned about creationism is
its significance to the study of human history and biological evolution, not
current events. The list of early scientists given in the original article
(name dropping?) were of scientists who were all engaged in the study of their
present. I have read that Isaac Newton, in particular, valued his theology
above his physics and considered physics and mathematics as merely vehicles to
approach God. Who today even remembers Newton's theology?
For a more recent example, consider Albert Einstein. While he made several
contributions to quantum mechanics and atomic physics, his faith in a deter-
ministic universe prevented him from making more profound contributions in the
sense of Heisenberg, Planck, and Pauli. Albert's personal religion did not
prevent him from considering cosmology, and he did profess belief in God.
Some disciplines of science have progressed sufficiently that their practi-
tioners feel competent to make a first pass at applying what is currently
known and theorized to the history of the universe and the origin of the
species. This also provides an additional test for the integrated body of
theories. The beliefs that each of us holds more often deals with the nature
and origins of ourselves, and science has occasionally come into conflict with
common beliefs (e.g., for Galileo, Darwin). As long as one's studies do not
touch on the same areas as one's beliefs, the contributions can be quite valu-
able (e.g., refer to A.R. Miller's original list). Galileo believed in God
and creation, he just did not see sufficient evidence for an Earth-centered
universe (which equaled the solar system at that time). But he made some pro-
found contributions to the methods and techniques of science (which equaled
mechanics at that time). However, when their is a conflict between one's
beliefs and the direction of research, the belief usually wins.
I am not competent or prepared at this time to comment further.
A focused argument gives one hope for progress.
--
Patrick Wyant
AT&T Bell Laboratories (Naperville, IL)
*!ihuxm!gjphw