Evolution
Encyclopedia Vol. 3
Chapter 37 - EVOLUTION AND PHILOSOPHY
Introduction - page 1099
The "philosophy" method of protecting a shattered theory -
page 1099
1 - Solving the no-evidence problem - page 1099
2 - Adapting the theory to the objections - page 1103
3 - The two-faced theory -page 1105
4 - Creation science is testable - page 1106
5 - Evolution is testable also - page 1108
Study and review questions - page 1109
Related studies:
Chapter 23, Evolutionary
Showcase
Chapter 29, History
of Evolutionary Theory
Chapter 34, Evolution
and Education
Chapter 37, Evolution
and Philosophy
Introduction
"Evolution is sometimes the key mythological element in a
philosophy that functions as a virtual religion." -*E.
Harrison, "Origin and Evolution of the Universe, " Encyclopedia
Britannica: Macropaedia (1974), p. 1007.
"Our theory of evolution has become . . one which cannot be
refuted by any possible observations. It is thus `outside of empirical
science,' but not necessarily false."
-*L. Birch and *P.
Ehrlich, "Evolutionary History and Population Biology, "
Nature 216 (1967), p.352.
"It can, indeed, explain anything. You may be ingenious or not
in proposing a mechanism which looks plausible to human beings . . but
it is still an unfalsifiable theory." -*R. Wall,
"Discussion, " in the Mathematical Challenges to the Neo
Darwinian Interpretation of Evolution (1967), p. 71.
"After this step-wise elimination, only one possibility remains:
the Darwinian theory of natural selection, whether or not coupled with
Mendelism, is false. I have already shown that the arguments advanced by
the early champions were not very compelling, and that there are now
considerable numbers of empirical facts which do not fit with the
theory. Hence, to all intents and purposes the theory has been
falsified, so why has it not been abandoned?
"I think the answer to this question is that current
evolutionists follow Darwin's example-they refuse to accept falsifying
evidence. "-*S. Lovtrup, Darwinism: ?lie Refutation of a
Myth (1987), p. 352.
The title of this brief chapter may sound
uninteresting, but within it you will find another method used by
dedicated evolutionist to defend evolution. Because in some circles that
method is being used successfully, it needs to be presented and refuted.
Throughout this set of books we have observed, time
and time again, that evolution simply has no proof supporting it. We
have also seen that there is a strong body of evidence against it.
Thirdly, we have been happily surprised to find so much evidence in
favor of creationism. Frankly, the situation is becoming desperate for
the evolutionists. In chapter 29, History of Evolution, we
discussed several high-ranking scientific meetings that were held to
discuss ways to salvage evolutionary theory. But each time, so much
additional negative data has been presented, that the assembly adjourned
having accomplished little more than futile discussions and open
arguments.
1 - SOLVING THE NO-EVIDENCE PROBLEM
Emerging from the desolating prospects of the
situation, a hero of sorts has arisen who
has developed a theory which, it is hoped, will
provide an iron-clad coating of protection for the sorry mess known as
evolutionary theory. Whether or not that was his intention we do not
know, but that is the way it has worked out.
The man's name is *Sir Karl Raimund Popper, formerly
Professor of Logic and Scientific Method at the London School of
Economics, and now Professor of the Philosophy of Science at the
University of London. He is highly honored for the rescue operation he
has offered to the beleaguered descendants of Darwin. He is now referred
to as "the greatest living scientific philosopher."
What is all this about? Here it is:
For over 150 years, evolutionists have tried to find
some type of evidence somewhere that can clearly show they have a
correct theory. The 20th century brought with it a wealth of new
discoveries, techniques, and advanced scientific equipment. But the
result has only been to deluge the evolutionist cause with powerful
reasons why evolution is simply an impossible theory. All the new
evidence confirms the old: the theory cannot work, and is totally
unscientific in every sense.
But then Popper came along and took a stale argument
that had often been used in the past by evolutionary debaters as a final
defense, just before fleeing the podium and the penetrating
questions of creationists.
Popper took the old dodge and turned it into "a
scientific philosophy," and it is this: Evolution cannot be
proved or disproved; it resides in a magical other world beyond
scientific facts and commonplace reality. Evolution cannot be disproved,
for it cannot be falsified. It is alike unprovable and unfalsifiable.
The inference from this view of Popper is that
mankind must accept the errors of evolution just as they read, without
offering questions or objections. Do not think, do not reason; just
accept it as is.
So there it is: ' Karl Popper's philosophy of science
as it relates to evolutionary theory. It is a refuge for weary
evolutionists where they can hide from the storm of facts coming at them
from all sides.
The heart of Popper's theory is to be found in this
word "falsifiable." Popper says that "Evolution is not
falsifiable." By this, he means that it cannot be proven false.
But he also agrees that it therefore cannot be proven true either. We
must just accept it on faith, trusting in an intelligence, deeper than
our own, the intelligence which resided in the men who invented the
theory of evolution.
Talk about "humanism"! That is about as
humanistic as can be had. Blow out your brains and simply accept what
the atheists tell you, without thinking, without questioning, without
evidence, without disagreeing. To do otherwise is not to have the
correct philosophy of science.
Popper's thinking goes deeper than the above summary.
He says that if a hypothesis cannot be falsified in any of its
predictions, then it is not a valid scientific hypothesis; it is not
scientific. It is outside the realm of scientific investigation.
Evolutionists do not worry themselves about the "nonscientific"
part, but jump on the "not falsifiable" part, and
loudly proclaim: "According to Popper, you must accept our theory
as it is; it cannot be disproved!"
At the urging of evolutionists, Popper in 1980
relaxed his position somewhat, declaring that, although evolution still
could not be falsified, yet it might be scientific after all. That
revised position was an attempt to give the evolutionists the best of
both sides of the matter.
OUTSIDE AND ABOVE SCIENCE-In chapter 25, Laws of
Nature, we learned that a variety of evolutionists claim that the
teachings of evolution are above and outside of the laws of nature. We
will now learn that the adherents of this peculiar theory believe that
evolution is outside of and above science and all its findings!
"I think it was Medawar who said that one thing
about the theory of evolution is (and he quoted Popper) that it is not falsifiable, that whatever
happens you can always explain it."-V. Weisskopf,
"Discussion, " in the Mathematical Challenges to the
Neo-Darwinian Interpretation of Evolution (1967), p. 64.
*Birch and *Ehrlich boast of the traps -scientific powers
of evolutionary theory:
"Our theory of evolution has become . . one
which cannot be refuted by any possible observations. Every
conceivable observation can be fitted into it . . No one can think of
ways in which to test it. Ideas, either without basis or based on a
few laboratory experiments carried out in extremely simplified
systems, have attained currency far beyond their validity. They have
become part of an evolutionary dogma accepted by most of us as part of
our training."- *L.C. Birch and *P. Ehrlich, Nature, April 22,
1967.
"Our theory of evolution has become . . one
which cannot be refuted by any possible observations. It is thus
'outside of empirical science,' but not necessarily false." -*L Birch
and *P. Ehrlich, "Evolutionary History and Population
Biology," Nature 216 (1967), p.352.
*Wald says it can explain anything, for it is infallible.
"It can, indeed, explain anything. You may be
ingenious or not in proposing a mechanism which looks plausible to
human beings . . but it is still an unfalsifiable theory. "-R.
Wald, "Discussion, " in the Mathematical Challenges to
the NeoDarwinian Interpretation of Evolution (1967), p.71.
The colorful words of *Pareto surely apply to such mentality:
"Give me a fruitful error any time, full of
seeds, bursting with its own corrections. You can keep your sterile
truth for yourself. " -Vilfredo Pareto, quoted in Asimov's
Book of Science and Nature Quotations, p. 84.
TOO LARGE A SUBJECT TO PRESENT EVIDENCE FOR-Evolutionists
tell us that evolutionary theory is so wonderful and great, and so many
factors are involved, that it is impossible for scientists to gather
together the evidence needed to support all the variables. There is no
lack of supportive evidence, but it requires just too much work to go
out and collect it. But the truth is that, at great expense and at the
cost of men's entire lives, they have searched in vain for the evidence
for over 150 years.
Here is how *von Herzen puts it:
"Where many physical variables are relevant
over a broad range of time and space scales, as for most earth science
hypotheses, formal 'proof' becomes difficult or impossible. The
validity of an hypothesis then becomes a subjective judgment, either
individually a by many persons, and is frequently dependent on the way
the original hypothesis is framed."-R.P. von Herzen,
"Reply to Tatsch, " in Transactions of the American
Goophysical Union, 60(34)626 (1979).
On this basis, it would not be possible to send a
rocket into outer space, for so many details would need to be worked out
that scientists could not possibly do it all; they would have to throw up
their hands in despair and give up the project. Yet such is not the
case. In genuine areas of science, men persevere, solve the problems and
push the project through to success.
Someone will object that evolutionary theory should
be treated differently than other areas of scientific endeavor. No, it
should receive the same treatment. Here is why: (1) Evolution is nothing
more than a set of several hypotheses. (2) Each of these hypotheses can
be checked for accuracy in relation to known facts. If evidence is found
supporting their claims, then the hypotheses can stand. If evidence is
not found that clearly supports the intent of each hypothesis,-then the
hypothesis should be dropped. Verification or falsification is keyed to
evidence. And there is plenty of that. In this book we have viewed
quantities of factual evidence uncovered by scientists over the past 200
years. If each aspect of evolutionary theory has no evidence supporting
it, then it has been falsified and is useless, and should be discarded.
We do not have to waste time treasuring a theory which has no evidence
in its favor!
For example: evolutionary theory teaches that 345 to
395 million years ago, the Devonian stratum was laid down worldwide.
That purported fact can easily be proven or disproven. Simply dig down
to the level the evolutionists call "Devonian" and see if
there is any valid evidence for declaring it to be 345 to 395 million
years old. The evidence supporting the theory will be found in the
stratum if it is to be found at all. But no such evidence exists. There
is nothing in the stratum, in the so-called "index fossils"
within it, or in any of the other fossils in it-to date that rock at
"345 to 395 million years old." The statement is just a
fiction. There are no dates etched into the rocks or on those fossils.
To describe it in *Popper's vocabulary: The theory
requires certain dates for the Devonian; therefore it PREDICTS that
actual dates will be found in strata called "Devonian" by
those holding to the theory. Searching for those dates, and then not
finding them, FALSIFIES that part of the theory of evolution.
The same would apply to all the other aspects of the
theory. One by one, they could be examined and discarded, if scientists
dared to do so.
NOT REPEATABLE- Patterson declares that
evolutionary theory is safe from the prying eye of scientific analysis,
for it deals with events "which are unrepeatable."
"If we accept Popper's distinction between science and non-science, we must ask first
whether the theory of evolution by natural selection is scientific or pseudo-scientific
(metaphysical) . .Taking the first part of the theory, that evolution has occurred, it says that the history
of life is a simple process of species-splitting and
progression. This process must be unique and unrepeatable, like the
history of England. This part of the theory is therefore a historical
theory, about unique events, and unique events are, by definition, not
part of science, for they are unrepeatable, and so not subject to
test."--Win Patterson, Evolution (1978), pp. 145-148.
' Dobzhansky agreed:
"The evolutionary happenings . . [of
paleontology and paleobiology are] unique, unrepeatable, and
irreversable."-'T. Dobzhansky, "On Methods of Evolutionary
Biology and Anthropology, " in American Scientist 45 (1957),
p. 388. Elsewhere, Patterson again reiterated the past occurrence of
evolution, and agreed with Popper that the theory was
"metaphysical" and not "scientific."
"So, at present, We are left with
neo-Darwinian theory: that evolution has occurred, and has been
directed mainly by natural selection, with random contributions from
genetic drift, and perhaps the occasional hopeful monster. In this
form, the theory is not scientific by Popper's standards. Indeed,
Popper calls the theory of evolution not a scientific theory but `a
metaphysical research programme'."--Colin Patterson, Evolution
(1978), p. 149.
If any evidence could be found in defense of the
theory, you can be assured the evolutionists would be quick to bring it
forward and triumphantly declare their theory to now rank in the
category of "science."
Does evolution only deal with
"unrepeatable" events? As far as the random evolving of each
species is concerned, yes that would be true. Each species is unique and
therefore-if evolutionary theory were true-the chance production of each
species would indeed be a once-in-forever, non-repeatable occurrence.
But, to the sorrow of the evolutionists, there is
more to it than that: For each such species, a series of non-repeatable
transitional species leading up to it from the species it evolved out
of-should also be found. Evolution is ongoing, and millions of species
now exist. So the fossil record should provide us with an abundance of
evidence for transitional species in the past. We should find them all
through the fossil record, for there are millions of species. We should
see large numbers of the transitional forms alive today also. But such
is not the case; all we find are separate and distinct species. The
largest single section of scientific quotations on a single topic-to be
found anywhere in this book-deals with admissions by scientists in
chapter 17, Fossils and Strata, that there are only distinct
species and only gaps between those species in the fossil record. That
one (one!) point alone totally annihilates the possibility that
biological evolution has occurred on this planet. We know from genetic
and amino acid data in chapter 10, DNA and Protein, that an
immense species barrier exists within each species; a barrier which cannot be crossed. But, before leaving the
matter of "unrepeatable," let us consider one more factor:
If random action of harmful mutations and so-called
"natural selection" is supposed to be able to produce only one
of a kind of each type of new species-and never again be able to
duplicate the feat,-then no new species could be produced, for each
non-repeatable event would have to happen TWICE at the same time and
nearly the same location-in order to produce both a male and a female!
If that did not occur, the single new species could not breed and
reproduce more of its kind.
Evolution reminds us of a giant puzzle, which keeps
getting bigger the more we work at it. The more we try to solve it, the
more there is to solve. It is a never-ending task.
Of course there is a simple solution: just trash the
whole theory.
POPPER SPEAKS-Let us for a few moments turn our
attention to *Karl Popper. Whether intentionally or not, Popper would
remove evolutionary theory from the category of scientific endeavor,
eliminate the need to have it subjected to tests, evidence, proofs, or
disproofs-and declare it to be a "metaphysical research programme."
This would place evolution in the same category with cult worship,
idolatry and similar things. And perhaps that is the best that can be
said for it.
In contrast, creation science is based on scientific
facts, and provides an abundance of scientific evidence drawn from all
quarters of the natural world in its defense. In addition, creation
scientists have united with secular scientists in uncovering a wide
range of evidences disproving evolution. None need concern himself about
whether it is "testable," "untestable," or
"falsifiable;"-evolution has already been abundantly
disproved! And it is not necessary to take our word for it; anyone can
examine the facts and evidence for himself; this set of books, other
books, and all nature is filled with it.
Here is what *Karl Popper has to say about the theory
of evolution:
"There will be well-testable theories, hardly
testable theories, and non-testable theories. Those
which are non-testable theories are of no interest to empirical
scientists. They may be described as metaphysical." -*Karl
Popper, Conjectures and Refutations (1963), p. 257.
"I have come to the conclusion that Darwinism is not a testable scientific theory, but a
metaphysical research programme-a possible framework for testable
scientific theories."-Karl Popper, Upended Quest (1976), p. 151.
*Gliedman brings up an interesting point that is
almost humorous: He explains that Popper's supposition in regard to
evolutionary theory fits Popper's own standard-and is not itself
testable either! Here we truly have the blind leading the
blind! Scientists are not supposed to test the pro and con evidence
regarding evolutionary theory, just because Popper says so. But they
must not test Popper's theory about the theory either, for THAT is not
supposed to be testable either! Neither the theory of evolution, nor
Popper's teflon coating placed upon it is to be subjected to normal
scientific analysis!
"Popper is the most famous philosopher of
science of our age. . 'What experiments can you do to test Popper's
theory of scientific theories?' asks Eccles. 'Can you put Popper's
theory on the mat and try to falsify it the way he says that a
scientist should try to falsify an empirical scientific theory? The
answer is 'no' because Popper's theory of scientific method is not
science; it is metaphysics. "-John Gliedman, "Scientists in
Search of the Soul, " in Science Digest 90:77-78 (1x82).
Having won the armor plating for their theory that
they wanted, the evolutionists then stopped to consider the negatives
attached to the plating: Popper had said evolution was not
"scientific." So they worked on him awhile until he revised
his opinion of the matter:
First, he modified it in 1978 in a discussion of
natural selection, which, along with mutations, comprises the primary
mechanisms by which evolutionary processes are supposed to occur:
"I have in the past described the theory [of
natural selection] as 'almost tautological', and I have tried to
explain how the theory of natural selection could be untestable and
yet of great scientific interest. My solution was that the doctrine of
natural selection is a most useful metaphysical research programme . .
"I still believe that natural selection works
in this way as a research programme. Nevertheless, I have changed my
mind about the testability and the logical status of the theory of
natural selection; and I am glad to have an opportunity to make a
recantation."-"Karl Popper, "Natural Selection and the
Emergence of Mind, " in Dialectics 32(339):344-345 (1978).
A further admission in favor of evolution came in
1980. *Popper said that even unique events can often be tested.
"I here wish to affirm that these and other
historical sciences have in my opinion scientific character; their
hypotheses can in many cases be tested. It appears as if some people
would think that the historical sciences are untestable because they
describe unique events. However, the description of unique events can
very often be tested by deriving from them testable predictions or retrodictions."-*Karl
Popper, Letter to New Scientist, August 20, 1980, p. 611.
"Popper has to some degree relaxed his
position in a way that favours Darwinism, admitting (in a letter to
the New Scientist dated 20 August 1980) that 'the description of
unique events can very often be tested by deriving from them testable
predictions or retrodictions'. It could, for example, be argued that the Darwinian model would be
falsified if fossils of advanced animals were discovered lower in the
earth's strata than those of their assumed ancestors; only a single
human finger-bone discovered in authentic Devonian strata would topple
a huge edifice of contemporary science, and set the whole world
thinking along new lines. To this extent the evolutionary model itself
may be judged scientifically valid, even though the Darwinian
explanation of how it came about remains, for the time being,
unproven. "-Michael Pitman, Adam and Evolution (1984), pp.
21-22.
Thus, evolutionary theory could essentially retain
its teflon coating, while again being raised to the status of a science.
Yet, ironically, a wealth of scientific evidence able to falsify it has
been produced. In the above quotation, Pitman mentioned just two points
of potential falsification as possible examples. Elsewhere in this set
of books we have cited evidence for those two points, along with many
others. But the evidence is ignored, for the same men who guard the
well-protected, but now "scientific," theory-are the very ones
who would have to judge as to the validity of the evidence disproving
evolution. And they will not consider it.
Pitman said, "if fossils of advanced animals
were discovered lower in the strata than their assumed
ancestors," this would provide the needed evidence against
evolution. Read chapter 17, Fossils and Strata for examples of
such evidence. The strata are so mixed up that a variety of fossils are
regularly found in "wrong" strata. "downwashing" and
"reworking" are the excuses given to hide them. When
entire massive layers of strata are below their proper area, they are
said to be "overthrusts" that journeyed there across level
land hundreds of miles.
Pitman said, "only a single finger-bone
" in Devonian strata would topple the edifice of evolution.
Read chapter 18, Ancient Man, and you will find that type of
evidence. Entire human skeletons, as well as man-made tools have been
found in strata far below their "proper" level. Human
footprints have been found in Cambrian strata, complete with sandals!
The same year that *Popper said evolution might in
some way be "scientific" after all, another scientist also
expressed his concern to maintain protection for the evolutionary strata
theory against its critics, while still affirming that the theory was
"scientific":
"I sought to distinguish between theories and other scientific
statements, not between science and non-science. . In denying
that classifications are scientific theories I do not mean to deny
that classifications can be scientific. " -'D. Kilts,
Theories and Other Scientific Statements" in Systematic
Zoology 29, p. 191 (1980).
Thus, the theory can be scientific and yet nicely
protected. *Brady explains why the theory is unassailable:
"Most recent critics have already understood
this and are actually arguing that the theory is not falsifiable in
its operational form. Under examination, the operational forms of the
concepts of adaptation and fitness turn out to be too indeterminate to
be seriously tested, for they are protected by ad hoc additions drawn
from an indeterminate realm."-'R. Brady, "Natural
Selection and the Criteria by Which a Theory is Judged," in
Systematic Zoology, 28:600 (1979).
Elsewhere, *Brady explains that the theory lacks the
"potential" for falsification, whatever that is supposed to
mean.
"The theory has no empirical support. Its
strength comes from its logical power to generate explanations for
every manner of organic adaptation rather than from the evidence,
which, as we have seen, contains no potential for
falsification."-'R. Beady, "Dogma and Doubt," in
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 17 (1982), p. 88.
2 - ADAPTING THE THEORY
TO THE OBJECTIONS
CRITICS SAY: "UNFALSEFIABLE"-Not only
is the claim of "unfasefiable" used as a defense by the
beleaguered evolutionists, but many scientists echo the word,-not as a
defense but as a charge.
Thinking scientists are disgusted with the manner in
which the evolutionists receive the barrage of evidence continually
brought forth against their beloved theory. They either ignore it, play
it down, excuse it, or try to twist it around and use it as an addition
to their already heavily-patched up theory.
Neo-Darwinism is a shapeless mass, composed of blobs
of one objection after another which have been rationalized and stuck
onto the whole.
"Neo-Darwinists [are] liberal in their
willingness to accept virtually anything within their paradigm. Of
course, defenders of the faith thereby weaken their main claim: how
can neo-Darwinism be considered a meaningful theoretical construct if
all presumptive conflicting observations are immediately considered to
be part-and-parcel of the theory?
"This every-widening scope of new-Darwinism is
both a boon and a bane for its critics. A boon, because if
neo-Darwinism continues to swallow up any and all challenges, then
eventually it will forfeit any claim to be taken seriously as a
scientific theory; a bane, because critics have an increasingly
difficult time focusing on the core of neo-Darwinism as it becomes
more and more amorphous [shapeless]."-'J. Craycraft, "Book
Review of Beyond Darwinism," in Cladistics, 1 (1985), p.
300-301.
In chapter 23, we provide a brief review of the high
points in a broad-ranging book in defense of evolution. Most of the
evidence in that book consisted of information that either had nothing to do with evolution (some animals change coat color
in the winter), or that runs counter to it (Mendel's discoveries).
Recognizing that the general public knows little
about science, evolutionists discuss a variety of neutral or contrary
evidence as though it supported the theory!
"Neo-Darwinism, the theory that evolution can
be adequately explained in terms of natural selection of random
variations [working on small mutational changes], is not falsifiable.
Many of the potential falsifiers that have been suggested turn out to
be tests not of neo-Darwinism but of something else, frequently of the
hypothesis that evolution has occurred. Others, such as those having
to do with non-adaptedness and gradualism, are inherently incapable of
providing conclusive tests. The remainder . . are so hedged about with
qualifications as to make the theory invulnerable . .
The synthetic theory possesses a remarkable
elasticity: when under attack it expands to include almost anything,
but once the pressure is relaxed it contracts to the definition given
by Maynard Smith."-*P. Saunders and *M. Ho, "Is
NeoDarwinism Falsifiable? and Does It Matter?" in Nature
& System, 4 (1982), p. 191.
That elasticity is born of desperation. Lacking any evidence to support it, no one can really
say that the theory of evolution is scientific.
"If then, as seems reasonable, science is to
be thought of as an adaptive or feedback process, why is it that
another adaptive process, evolution, seems to have difficulty in
establishing its scientific credentials? . .
"This unpredictability, of course, makes
experimental falsification of the theory very difficult, and so, by
Popper's criterion, leaves the scientific status of the theory
unsure."-'J. Sparkes, "What is this Thing called
Science?" in New Scientist, 89 (1981), p. 158.
THE DREAM WORLD OF THE EVOLUTIONISTS-Truly, evolutionary theory
is an astounding product of thought and imagination. Whereas
creationism is based solidly on scientific evidence, evolution has
no significant facts to support it, is outside of natural law, defies
challenges, ignores many objections, and shapes others in order to
absorb them.
The theory makes a worshipful god out of random
events.
"The irony is devastating. The main purpose of
Darwinism was to drive every last trace of an incredible God from
biology. But the theory replaces God with an even more incredible
deity: omnipotent chance."-'T. Roszak, Unfinished Animal
(1975), pp. 101-102.
It would be all right for evolution to explain
everything-if in each instance the evidence supported it, as is the case
with creationism. But because evolutionary theory consists only of
theories without any scientific support, it appears ludicrous in the
eyes of thoughtful scientists.
"I have always been slightly suspicious of the
theory of evolution because of its ability to account for any property
of living beings (the long neck of the giraffe, for example). I have
therefore tried to see whether biological discoveries over the last
thirty years or so fit in with Darwin's theory; I do not think they do
. . To my mind, the theory does not stand up at all."-'H. Lipson,
"A Physicist Looks of Evolution, " in Physics Bulletin,
31, (1980), p. 138.
*Bethell explains that foolish statements are
difficult to test.
"Darwin proposes no criterion of fitness other
than that of survival itself . . It follows that 'the survival of the
fittest' is not a testable theory, but a tautology. Which one
survives? The fittest. Who are they? Those that survive."-'T. Bethell,
"Darwin's Unfalsifiable Theory, " in Kronos, Summer
1982, p. 33-34.
Darwinism dares not speak specifically about
anything. All statements that it presents must be generalized; never
must details be given. This is because the facts found throughout nature
contradict the theory, so all efforts toward discussion of details must
be avoided when trying to answer the objections.
"Natural selection is almost always handled in
general temps . . This means that it has no explanatory power when
specific problems arise."-"Norman Macbeth, Darwin Retried
(1971), p. 44.
When objections are raised, or when new discoveries
discredit the theory even more, its defenders reply that all is well; at
some time in the future evidence will be found supporting evolution and
showing that it is true after all.
"When the most learned evolutionists can give
neither the how nor the why, the marvels seem to show that adaptation
is inexplicable. Yet those who cannot explain it will not admit that
it is inexplicable. This is a strange situation, only partly
ascribable to the rather unscientific conviction that evidence will be
found in the future. It is due to a psychological quirk [in the minds
of its advocates]."-"Norman Macbeth, Darwin Retried
(1971), p. 77.
Scientific concepts are able to predict the type of
facts that, when found, confirm those concepts. Evolution cannot do
this. But *Macbeth says that that is the least of the problems; not only
can evolution not predict other facts, it cannot explain those it
immediately deals with.
"We agree that Darwinism cannot predict,
but we must remind Professor Mayr that it also cannot explain."- *Norman
Macbeth, Darwin Retried (1971), p. 104.
The strength of evolutionary theory is to be found,
not in providing verifying evidence, but in efforts expended to explain
away contradictory evidence. (In the following statement,
"empirical" means based on experience, experiment, or
observation.)
"The theory [of evolution] has no empirical
support. Its strength comes from its logical power
to generate explanations for every manner of organic adaptation rather
than from the evidence, which, as we have seen, contains no potential
for falsification. The theory may be true, but whether it is or not,
it cannot be said to have shown evidence of this truth, and the
widespread acceptance of the theory must rest on some other
grounds."-`R. Brady, "Dogma and Doubt," Biological
Journal of the Linnean Society, 17 (1982), p. 88.
The evolutionists even presume to dictate which objections to their
theory they will consider!
"The neo-Darwinist claim to sufficiency, is of
great importance in evolutionary biology for it completely delimits
[highly limits] the type of explanation that is either desired or even
acceptable, and therefore the sort of research that is to be carried
out." -*P. Saunders and *M. Ho, "Is Neo-Darwinism
Falsifiable? - And Does it Matter?" in Nature & System 4:179
(1982).
"When, for instance, several experiments turn
out contrary to the predictions of a certain theory, we do not care
whether the scientist who invented the theory is prepared to change
his mind. We do not say that his theory cannot be tested, simply
because he refused to accept the results of the test."-'L Laudon,
"More on Creationism, " in Science, Technology & Human
Values, Winter 1983, pp. 37-38.
It is not whether evolution provides good explanation of natural
events; it does not even provide bad ones!
"One distinguished empiricist philosopher,
Carl Hempel, has drawn a conclusion, viz., that the
theory of natural selection is not really an explanation of organic
evolution at all-not even a bad one."-*Carl Hampel, quoted in
*S. Toutmin, "Science, Philosophy of," in Encyclopaedia
Britannica, Vol. 16 (15th ed.; 1974), p. 375.
* Macbeth describes them well: The theories of the evolutionists
are only hunches and pipedreams.
"Unfortunately, in the field of
evolution most explanations are not good. As a matter of fact, they
hardly qualify as explanations at all; they are suggestions, hunches,
pipe dreams, hardly worthy of being called hypotheses."-'Norman
Macbeth, Darwin Retried (1971), p. 147.
The theory belongs in the Department of Sociology, not in the Science
Building.
"I think the fact that a theory so vague, so
insufficiently verifiable and so far from the criteria otherwise
applied in 'hard' science, has become a dogma, can only be explained
on sociological grounds."-'A. Koestler, Janus. A Summing Up
(1978), P. 179.
M. and S. Hall disagree; they think it belongs in the adult fiction section of the library.
"Evolution has no claim whatsoever to being a
science.
"It is time all this nonsense ceased. It is
time to bury the corpse. h is time to shift the books to the humorous fiction section of the
libraries." Marshall and Sandra Hall, The Truth: God w Evolution?
pp. 39-40.
But actually, it really belongs with the fairy stories in the library
of the Child Psychology Department.
"When we try to understand adaptation we are
reduced to 'just so' stories, because the possibilities are limited
only by imagination."-R. Brady, "Dogma and Doubt," in
Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 17 (1982), p. 88.
ONLY A PEGBOARD FOR THEORIES-*Peters explains that the theory is
useless as far as predictions are concerned, because it is only good for
providing pegs to hold theories!
"I argue that the `theory of evolution' does
not take predictions, so far as ecology is concerned, but is instead a
logical formula which can be used only to classify empiricisms
[theories] and to show the relationships which such a classification
implies. . these theories are actually tautologies and, as such,
cannot make empirically testable predictions. They are not scientific
theories at all."-'R.H. Peters, "Tautology in Evolution
and Ecology," American Naturalist, (t976) Vol. 110, No. 1, p. 1.
(Emphasis his.)
It just is not scientific.
"A hypothesis is empirical or scientific only
if it can be tested by experience . . A hypothesis or theory which
cannot be, at least in principle, falsified by empirical observations
and experiments does not belong to the realm of
science."-'Francisco J. Ayala, "Biological Evolution:
Natural Selection or Random Walk?" American Scientist, Vol. 62,
Nov.-Dec., 1974, p. 700.
Evolutionary theory is shot full of holes, but men continue
desperately to patch them over with additional
"modifications." Sunderland explains that after a century of
tacking on "modifications," the theory has shown itself to be
useless.
"It is generally recognized that the original
version of a theory might not be entirely correct but not necessarily
false in every respect either. Thus, it is permissible for scientists
to attempt to salvage a theory that has flunked a test by making
secondary modifications to the theory and trying to make it fit new
facts not previously considered. A theory loses credibility if it must
be repeatedly modified over years of testing or if it requires excuses
being continually made for why its predictions are not consistent with
new discoveries of data. It is not a propitious attribute for a theory
to have required numerous secondary modifications. Some evolutionists
misunderstand this and attempt to point to the continuous string of
modifications to evolution theory as a justification for classifying
it as the exclusive respectable scientific theory on origins. They
often make the strange claim that creation theory could not be
scientific because it fits the evidence so perfectly that it never has
required any modification. That line of reasoning is like saying that
the law of gravity is not scientific since it fits the facts so
perfectly that it never needs
modification."-Luther Sunderland, Darwin's Enigma (1988), p. 31.
3 - THE TWO-HEADED THEORY
A THEORY WITH TWO FACES-In midst of such
turmoil in the scientific world, to their fellow scientists, the
evolutionists smile and declare that the problems can be explained away,
and that at some time in the future the evidence in favor of the theory,
which is now almost totally lacking, will be found. Therefore, until
then, their scientific colleagues should remain patient and regard the
theory as an unverified truth that is non-falsifiable.
But, at the same time, to the public and in textbooks
for students, they make far different statements. Clothes have been
changed and now, in place of the defensive armor, they wear the kingly
robes of royalty, and with a great show of permanence and infallibility
declare that evolution is a proven fact, all scientific evidence agrees
with their theory, and scientists universally consider it true.
School teachers-even biology teachers-are thought to
be ignorant dupes that can be treated like the general public, when it
comes to which evolutionary voice they will hear.
The *National Association of Biology Teachers, a
subsidiary of the *National Education Association, published a list of
statements by scientists that evolution was a fact supported by all
available evidence, that it was fully acknowledged as such by
scientists, and that it was proven and universally accepted as early as
the 1860s! Part of it was quoted in chapter 34 (Evolution
and Education).
Blatantly incorrect-historically and
scientifically-as they are, those quoted statements are most astounding
claims, and to think they were actually printed in the journal of the
National Association of Biology Teachers, and printed for high school,
college, and university biology teachers to read!
4 - CREATION SCIENCE IS TESTABLE
CREATION SCIENCE IS TESTABLE -Facts are facts,
evidence is evidence. If the facts and evidence are missing, then the
proof is not there. If the facts and evidence are present, then a theory
is established. It is as simple as that.
The evidence has always been lacking for evolutionary
theory; it continues to be so, after more than 150 years of searching.
The evidence for Creation and the Flood is available.
It is in the laboratories of the geneticists and the fossil
collections of paleontologists. It is in your backyard, in the
woods, in the sky overhead, in the oceans surrounding you. All nature
testifies of its Creator. The occurrence of the worldwide Genesis Flood
is also borne out by many, many facts.
There is not one living creature that could have made
itself, or come forth out of nothing. Not one. In it all, we see the
clearest evidence of the most complicated planning and workmanship.
Thoughtful purpose and careful craftsmanship is everywhere to be seen.
We may know how to build houses, rocket ships, and computers, but the
smallest creature is far more complicated. (You may recall that, in an
earlier chapter, we quoted a scientist who said the smallest creature is
infinitely more complicated than man's most advanced computer.)
Read again the description of the galactic systems in
chapter 4, The Stars. No man could make a star, and there is no way a
created intelligence could place them in such complicated orbits which
whirl near and even through one another without crashing. Yet it is
obvious that an extremely high-level intelligence did just that! And
think of the power of such a Being to be able to set stars into orbits,
and then maintain them in those orbits!
"Oh," someone will say, "that is not
scientific evidence." Facts are evidence; that is what science
deals with: tangible, real facts about real objects. We take those facts
and draw intelligent conclusions based on those facts. One intelligent
conclusion is that neither the orbiting stars, nor plants and animals
made themselves; only God could make them.
But another response is made: "The facts are
scientific, but your conclusions are not." It takes both actual
facts and intelligent conclusions to produce science. These are the only
facts mankind has. They have been gathered from this world and the
entire universe. As for the conclusions, there is no other intelligent,
overall interpretation of the ultimate meaning of those facts that can
be made.
To say it again: There are facts in the natural
world, and there are intelligent conclusions about those facts. We
cannot with impunity ignore the facts and call that "science,"
nor can we refuse to think carefully about the facts and draw
conclusions-and then say we are "scientific" in not doing so.
It may well be true that evolution is not subject to
testing, for it has no evidence in its favor. How can something which
has no facts be tested? Alice In Wonderland can't. So why bother
testing-just throw it out as is. But creation science is far different;
it is testable. The facts are abundantly available, a variety of tests
can be applied, the great majority of conclusions will be in harmony
with one another and with the facts.
It is of highest interest that evolutionists distort
the situation in both directions: (1) They contend that their theory is
not testable, hence not falsifiable,-for they dare not face the fact
that there is no evidence supporting it. (2) They contend that the
positions of creation science are also neither testable, nor
falsifiable. Evolutionists say that, for they dare not acknowledge the
evidence for Creation and the Flood, because that evidence is both
overwhelming and supportive of those two events. Here are statements by
candid, evolutionary scientists who believe that creation science is
testable:
"We discover. . that creation-science is
testable and falsifiable."-'L Laudan, "More on
Creationism," in Science, Technology & Human Values, Winter
1983, p. 38.
*Quinn says that a statement which is refutable, is falsifiable.
"In a recent collection of essays, Stephen Jay
Gould claims that ' "scientific creationism" is a
self-contradictory nonsense phrase precisely because it cannot be
falsified' . . Ironically, in the next sentence Gould goes on to
contradict himself by asserting that 'the individual claims are easy
enough to refute with a bit of research.' . . Since they are easily
refuted by research, they are after all falsifiable and, hence,
testable. This glaring inconsistency is the tip-off to the fact that
talk about testability and falsifiability functions as verbal abuse
and not as a serious argument in Gould's anti-creationist
polemics." -*P. Quinn, "The Philosopher of Science as Expert Witness, " in *J. Gushing, et. al.
(ad.), Science and Reality: Recent Work in the Philosophy of
Science (1984), p. 43.
*Quinn says: "When creation scientists make testable assertions,
as they have, it is up to the evidence and not to them whether those
assertions are disconfirmed to the point of being falsified."
"Ruse goes on to say, even if creation
scientists do expose their theories to tests, 'when new
counter-empirical evidence is discovered, creation scientists appear
to pull back, refusing to allow their positions to be falsified.' This
remark too . . is utterly beside the point. The requirement is that a
theory be falsifiable by empirical evidence, not that its adherents
admit that it has been falsified if and when it has been. Once
creation scientists make testable assertions, as they have, it is up
to the evidence and not to them whether those assertions are
disconfirmed to the point of being falsified. Hence, Ruse's main
reasons for considering creation science untestable and unfalsifiable
turn out to be, upon inspection, nothing more than two irrelevant ad
hominem arguments."-'P. Quinn, "The Philosopher
of Science as Expert Witness," in 'J. Gushing, et.
al. (ed.), Science and Reality: Recent Work in the Philosophy
of Science (1984), p. 47.
SCIENTIFIC LIMITATIONS-Yes, indeed, there are
limitations to science. But there is also an abundance of facts
available to us. (1) Is solid evidence available on which to base
conclusions? (2) Is enough of it available? In the case of creation
science, there is an abundance of clear-cut evidence. But, in contrast,
150 years of meticulous research on behalf of evolution has been unable to produce little more than
a handful of disconnected facts in favor of evolution.
Here are a number of statements dealing with
factors we should be aware of when trying to draw scientific conclusions.
Isaac Newton is generally recognized as the greatest
scientist of the past five centuries. Among other things, he developed
several rules for arriving at correct solutions. He must have known how
to use the rules, for, using simple discoveries, he drew invaluable
conclusions in a number of scientific fields. Interestingly enough,
using his highly-trained mind and his rules (which are fully accepted by
modern scientists), he concluded that creation science was correct, and
that the evolutionary theories of his day were incorrect.
"Sir Isaac Newton's 'Rules for Reasoning in
Philosophy' were violated by Darwin who probably did not know of
their existence, for he did not discuss this important matter.
Following are the first two rules:
"Rule 1: We are to admit no more causes of
natural things than such are both true and sufficient to explain their
appearances.
"Rule 2: Therefore to the same natural effects
we must, so far as possible, assign the same causes . . Rule 1 is
often called 'Occam's Razor.' "-Howard 8. Holboyd, "Darwinism
is Physical and Mathematical Nonsense," in Creation
Research Society Quarterly, June 1972, p. 10.
In contrast, science has gradually moved into a
groveling attempt to defend unprovable theories, instead of objectively
accepting the obvious conclusions presented by the facts.
"Popper warns of a danger: 'A theory, even a
scientific theory, may become an intellectual fashion, a substitute
for religion, an entrenched dogma.' This has certainly been true of
evolutionary theory."- 'Colin Patterson, Evolution (1977), p.
150.
"This belief in the supremacy of science is
called 'scientism'-a philosophy in which science becomes the only
valid approach to all knowledge. Certain of the most popular science
writers have adopted scientism as a way of life and deeply influenced
American thought."-George F. Howe, "Noted Physicist Sees
Limitations to Science," in Creation Research Society Quarterly,
March 1978, pp. 225.
Yet, at best, scientists are only men, not gods.
"In some cases, gross overestimates are made
as to what science can do.
"Both our universities where pure science is
king and our industries dominated by technology are largely staffed by prosaic individuals tackling prosaic problems with what amounts to not
much more than complex kitchen equipment and cookery books. "-'D.F.
Horrobin, Science is God
(1969).
"Two years ago I saw a paper in the
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, and the author
wrote, 'Let's assume the gene has a constant selective value; let's assume there is no
gene flow from any other population.' He made about five assumptions,
each of which was unrealistic, and then he went on to prove something
very beautiful mathematically, but it was meaningless."-J. Moors.
"Evolution and Public Education," BioScience 32
(1982), p. 606.
"There is something fascinating about science. One gets such
wholesale returns of conjecture out of a trifle investment of
fact."
"In the space of one hundred and seventy-six
years the lower Mississippi has shortened itself two hundred and
forty-two miles. This is an average of a trifle over one mile and a
third per year. Therefore, any calm person, who is not blind or
idiotic, can see that in the Old Oolitic Silurian period
just a million years ago next November, the lower Mississippi River
was upward of one million three hundred thousand miles long and stuck
out over the Gulf of Mexico like a fishing rod. And, by the same
token, any person can see that seven hundred and forty two years from
now, the lower Mississippi will be only a mile and
three-quarters long, and Cairo and New Orleans will have joined their
streets together, and be plodding comfortably along under a single
mayor and a mutual Board of Alderman. There is something fascinating
about science. One gets such wholesale returns of conjecture out of a
trifle investment of fact."-'Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi~
(1874), p. 158.
We did not take time in this study to quote or
analyze the details of *Popper's theory of scientific study. Frankly, it
is quite stilted. One individual who recognizes that fact is *Paul
Feyerabend. His view of the scientific method is much more direct and to
the point.
"A real maverick in dealing with science and
scientific progress is Paul Feyerabend of the University of California
at Berkeley. He believes that working scientists break every principle
in the rationalist's rule book and adopt the motto 'anything goes.' .
. He believes that if Karl Popper's falsification theory of science-that
theories cannot be confirmed, only refuted, and when refuted must be
abandoned-is taken seriously, all theories must be
abandoned."-'F. Kippler, "Extraterrestrial Intelligence:
A Skeptical View of Radio Searches,.. Science 219 (1983), pp. 111-112.
"It is interesting to note that Feyerabend
believes that today we are choosing our theories because of their
emotional appeal, not because they have substantiating
evidence."-'David Raup, "Evolution and the Fossil Record,
" Science 213 (1981), p. 289.
6 - EVOLUTION IS TESTABLE ALSO
HOW TO TEST EVOLUTION-Evolutionists maintain that
their theory is not testable, and therefore not falsifiable. Wendell
Bird was the attorney who argued the case for creation science before
the Supreme Court in 1987. He later wrote an excellent two-volume work, The Origin of the
Species Revisited, which contains a wealth of valuable information.
On pages 11 &120 of Volume 2, he provides several
simple tests of some of the major conflicting claims of evolution and
creationism. Here are the first two:
"(1) Affirmative Evidence: Paleontology argument of abrupt
appearance. Falsification method: By fossils showing a
systematically nonabrupt appearance of complex natural groups and
higher categories.
"[By this is meant that Creation and/or the
Genesis Flood would require a sudden appearance of
living creatures, and this would be shown in the fossil strata.
Therefore, the evidence which would falsify (disprove) the statement
would be the finding of a gradual appearance of fossils over what
would amount to a lengthy time period.! "(2) Affirmative Evidence:
Paleontology argument of gaps: Falsification method: By fossils
showing systematic transitional forms between such fossil categories.
"[By this Bird means that the finding of transitional forms in
the fossil record would provide powerful evidence in favor of
evolutionary theory and disprove Creation, which requires that no
species crossovers have occurred.]"-W.R. Bird, Origin of the
Species Revisited, Vol. 2 (198x), p. 118.
So then, all that is required is to compare the
theory with the FACTS! It is as simple as that! Evolutionists declare
that none of us were back there when it happened, so we cannot test the
theory now. But there is an abundance of residual evidence from ancient
times that we have at our disposal today. In that evidence, as well as
in the world about us right now, we should find an abundance of half-way
or transitional species; so many, in fact, that there should be no
distinct species anywhere! We should find slow, gradual transitional
appearance and changeover, instead of abrupt appearance in the fossil
record.
Hundreds of other evidential factors should be found
also. We have discussed many of them in this series of books.
Yet the evidence just is not there.
But when we turn to creation science, we find that
the evidence fits! Repeatedly, we find: it fits! Both positions are
indeed very testable, but only one of them passes the tests.
How do the evolutionists respond to such an impasse?
On one hand, they declare that creationism is "unscientific,"
and therefore can be ignored from the testing program. On the other,
they declare evolutionary theory to be "not testable."
Not testable, not falsifiable. Evolution is just a
dream world: imagine it, enjoy it, expand on it, apply it to everything.
No problem, because its not really there anyway.
And that is what scientists have accepted as the
basis of 20th century science.
You have just completed
Chapter 37 EVOLUTION AND PHILOSOPHY
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Chapter 38 FALLACIES of EVOLUTION
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