Science as a Way of Knowing
There is a very interesting and important essay posted today at BioLogos by Steven Benner, Distinguished Fellow in the Foundation for Applied Molecular Evolution at The Westheimer Institute for Science and Technology, Gainesville FL. He is the author of Life, the Universe, and the Scientific Method
He is interacting with the recently published Signature of the Cell by Stephen Meyer. His criticisms of Meyer’s defense of Intelligent Design (ID) are important ones for those interested in the evolution/evangelical discussion. Moreover, the types of problems Benner enumerates with Meyer are applicable other fields of interest, namely biblical studies and theology.
Speaking of the embedded mechanism within science that actually seeks to falsify accepted answers, he writes:
This intellectual discipline allows scientists to uncover reality better than lawyers, politicians, or advertisers. These professionals decide first what they want their conclusions to be (“my client is innocent”, “re-elect me”, or “buy my product”). They then select data to support their preselected conclusions. They allow themselves any trick to do so, suppressing opposing data, manipulating the media, and destroying opponents through ad hominem attacks. Only a robust system of controlled advocacy, where both sides must argue before a neutral authority (a jury, electorate, or free market), can prevent such an intellectual process from going bad (and often not even then).
Unfortunately, the intellectual discipline needed to support successful science is difficult to teach. It goes against powerful sociological forces, including the need to have authorities in one’s field approve grants, grant tenure, or award awards. Accordingly, scientists themselves practice this discipline imperfectly, sometimes very imperfectly. Especially in matters of public policy, one can often see scientists being advocates for their theories with skills equal to the best of attorneys.
Benner’s perspective is both refreshing and full of substance
