Replies

". . . The taxonomic data could have result of any number of processes, not just evolution, and the methodology that informs your challenge would be unchanged. . . ."

You are still missing the point. The "taxonomic data" you refer to are the observed characteristics of the fossils in any given geological age existing within a single geological stratum. The "taxonomic theory" that brings all of that "data" together is the tracing of heritable traits from ancestor species to their evolved descendants. I have already admitted that one could make an argument that, within any given geological stratum, the origins of the fossil species that exist there could -- in terms of pure theory alone argued outside of common sense -- have come to reside there by any one of a number of causes. But what I insist upon pointing out, and what you repeatedly ignore, is that the tracing of heritable traits between ancestor and descendant species requires a theoretical justification to explain their existence within a continuum and that the evolutionary science of taxonomy is the only justifiable, i.e. "believable," explanation that can be offered to explain this transition. Relying upon outside actors, whether God or extraterrestrials, requires acceptance of repeated and orderly interventions to a point at which it cannot be deemed acceptable, and certainly fails the test of "empirical scientific reasoning."

"In order for your challenge to work, you're basically requiring us to first accept the truth of the thing the challenge is supposed to be about. As such, it's logically fallacious."

No; I am asking you to accept two things only: 1. That Petroleum Geologists use taxonomy and other scientific knowledge and methodolgies used by evolutionary scientists. 2. That Petroleum Geologists actually do find oil. Both of these are proven facts.

What I am asking you to do is to give an explanation as to how petroleum geologists find oil in spite of what you or anyone else who believes that new scientific evidence undermines the Theory of Evolution have argued. Because if those arguments against the Theory of Evolution are correct, then that means that petroleum geologists are operating under false assumptions. So the challenge is definitely valid.

Thus far; your repeated attempts to answer the challenge have come down to two things. 1. Your first attempt to argue that their success is explained by mere correlation of maps and charts with other oil finds. I have demonstrated to you that this is an inadequate response since you treat the scientific methodologies petroleum geologists use as dependent upon "static" evidence, which denies the "vertical" progression of the evolution of species from one geologic age to the next, which is a key underpinning to taxonomy, an evolutionary science petroleum geologists utilize when searching for oil, and a key factor in justifying its use since that "vertical" progression across geologic ages validates the methodology in their eyes. 2. After refusing to address the importance of heritable traits in taxonomy from one geologic age to the next you have attempted to deny the challenge by arguing that I am asking you to assume the answer as a premise to my argument (challenge). Now, just for your information, in terms of logic the fallacy you are attempting to accuse me of committing is known as Petitio Principii or "begging the question." But I would only be guilty of this if I could not demonstrate that taxonomy offers a theoretical explanation based upon causality, which it does in fact do, since the passing of heritable traits from ancestors to descendants is a known and observed fact of biology.

Unless and until you can develop an answer that unites the use of the methodologies of evolutionary science [taxonomy, radiometric dating, "biomarkers," and reduced carbon graphite analysis] by petroleum geologists with an alternative hypothesis that explains the success of these methods in terms other than those petroleum geologists use, you fail to meet the challenge. In the singular case of their use of taxonomy you must answer the tracing of heritable traits across generations as made evident in the fossil record, which petroleum geologists view as validation of the science of taxonomy and is why the utilize it in their work.

You have not met the challenge r9etb. You have first failed to answer it and then, falsely, denied that the challenge is real. That is all you have done.