Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10 beta 3/9/83; site uf-csg.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxj!ihnp4!zehntel!dual!amd!decwrl!decvax!mcnc!akgua!uf-csv!uf-csg!mark From: mark@uf-csg.UUCP (mark fishman [fac]) Newsgroups: net.origins Subject: margaritas ante procos -- on the rocks, please Message-ID: <186@uf-csg.UUCP> Date: Tue, 18-Sep-84 17:01:32 EDT Article-I.D.: uf-csg.186 Posted: Tue Sep 18 17:01:32 1984 Date-Received: Wed, 26-Sep-84 07:26:49 EDT Organization: Univ of Fla, Computer and Information Science Lines: 21 The fundamental problem with "scientific creationism" is that it's an oxymoron. The fundamental problem with trying to debunk it is that those who advance this world view (it isn't, by proper definition, a "theory") have, in so doing, already rejected the principles of reasoned discourse on the basis of which any such argument would have to be erected. To embrace a non-falsifiable theory of "magicness" is really to reject theory, to reject the derivation of theory from observation, to reject science (and thereby to reject reason) in the first place. To invoke superstition is NOT to explain, but to seek to *evade* explanation's dominion. Now, proponents of creationism are certainly entitled to do this, but why bother to argue with them?? In short, no use trying to reason somebody out of the assertion, "I don't believe in reason." "Non credo quia absurda est..." -- Mark Fishman Dept. of CIS University of Florida ..uf-csg!mark