The "Threat" of Creationism, by Isaac Asimov

Internet ^ | 1984 | Isaac Asimov

[LogicWings]

In fact, not only does DNA store and replicate data, but it also interacts with a processing mechanism that handles programming instructions in a manner that is remarkably similar to how we currently have CPU's processing our instruction sets.

And that is because it is a fact that every machine invented by man is an imitation of a natural process taking place within man. Base Math 4 doesn't imitate our computers, our computer imitate the natural process. Got it backwards.

Likewise, I make the same presumption about the Life that we see on our planet.

And your presumption is 'Begging the Question' that it is evidence of that which YOU have already decided must exist, based upon nothing more than your own presumption.

Call it what you will, that is not science.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"Does the Creator take pleasure in fooling us? Does it amuse Him to watch us go wrong?"

Actually yes. In this case, God is laughing at both sides. The sun was not created on the first day. The Days of Genisis are not solar. How long were the Six Days? God only knows.

The Great Learned Ones of both the universities and the churches are floundering in a mud hole of self-humiliation, the same as the philosophers of old who said the earth was held up by elephants. That is the way God wants it. Jesus once told the Father that it was good that the world was made that way.

Also note that Asimov never mentions the "Missing Link", which means that the theory of evolution cannot honestly include humans as 'just another animal'. The "Missing Link" is religiously avoided by many.

[PatrickHenry]

Also note that Asimov never mentions the "Missing Link", which means that the theory of evolution cannot honestly include humans as 'just another animal'. The "Missing Link" is religiously avoided by many.

Not as big a problem as you might think: Welcome to the Hall of Human Ancestors.

[Southack]

"And that is because it is a fact that every machine invented by man is an imitation of a natural process taking place within man. Base Math 4 doesn't imitate our computers, our computer imitate the natural process. Got it backwards."

On the contrary, Man made computers prior to learning how DNA processed genetic instruction codes.

Issue 11-50 Tuesday, December 11, 2001 Scientific Papers of Co-Discoverer of DNA to be Housed at UCSD Copies of the collected scientific papers of Nobelist Francis Crick, co-discoverer of DNA and a member of the faculty of The Salk Institute, will be housed in the special collections section of the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). The collection is coming to the UCSD library as part of an agreement in which the original papers will go to the Wellcome Library in London for about $2.5 million. The sum is believed to be the largest paid to a contemporary scientist for his or her archives, according to UCSD.

Crick and James Dewey Watson were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1962 for unraveling the double helical structure of DNA, the fundamental unit of heredity, in 1953. Crick was based at Cambridge University from 1947 to 1976, and subsequently left Britain for La Jolla and The Salk Institute, where he has worked for the last quarter century.

[balrog666]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[KC_for_Freedom]

Actually, it was written in 1981, but published in 1984. And the creationists haven't changed a word of their "science." They just get more strident.

Actually, Aximov also wrote "In the Beginning", his account in scientific terms about how the Book of Genesis may be made compatible with early man's observations. Quite interesting, however my rabbi did not like it.

[longshadow]

Oh, no! It's about the science, really!

Except when a Creationist student is denied a letter of recommendation to bio-science grad school by a professor.

THEN it becomes religious "bigotry" and "discrimination."

Reminds me of the epic Miller Lite Beer ads: "Tastes great!" "No! Less filling!" "Tastes great!" "Less filling!"......

The difference, of course, is that Lite beer is more nutritious and intellectually honest than Creationism.

[Southack]

"Call it what you will, that is not science."

I call it simply what it is, Base 4 math.

If math isn't scientific enough for you, then what is?

[metacognative]

When I was a kid, I thought Asimov was smart. Now I think he was just a show off..afraid to debate the dreaded 'creationists'. Anyway, modern science and mathematics have proven darwinism is just AN OLD FASHIONED MYTH

[LogicWings]

The necessity of an uncaused Creator is shown not by the design of the universe, but by the existence of the universe. The design of the universe is proof of a designer. But the existence of a universe filled with things which are of their nature contingent is proof enough of an uncaused, noncontingent Creator.

Once again, where did you get the idea of a 'Creator' independent of your decision, without any evidence, that there is one? There is no 'proof' of anything, other than what exists exists. Anything else is a Assumption, an Assertion without Proof, a Begged Question, a Smuggled Premise.

I found it interesting that each of Asimov's 'Arguments' were really fallacies in the creationist argument. Like the guy the I responded to earlier, he just went back the same, Argument by Analogy Fallacy the Isaac had already discounted with his 'Base 4' argument. Either one abandon's creationism or one abandon's logic. There is no other option.

[PatrickHenry]

When I was a kid, I thought Asimov was smart.

You peaked too soon.

[LogicWings]

I call it simply what it is, Base 4 math.

There is an old saying that describes your error here:

The map is not the territory.

[balrog666]

Base 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc computational methods were all explored in mathematics prior to any real computers being built or analysis of DNA. The reasons are obvious to any mathematician and have nothing to do with any religions, gods, or similar mythological beliefs.

[Trickyguy]

I used to like Asimov a lot when I was a teenager. Then I grew up.

[Southack]

"There is an old saying that describes your error here:"

There is no error, only math.

[LogicWings]

On the contrary, Man made computers prior to learning how DNA processed genetic instruction codes.

And we made levers before we cracked open bodies to see how joints work, but it is still on the same principle. You intentionally missed the point. Figures.

[Southack]

"Base 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc computational methods were all explored in mathematics prior to any real computers being built or analysis of DNA. The reasons are obvious to any mathematician and have nothing to do with any religions, gods, or similar mythological beliefs."

That's very clever of you to notice! There's hope for you yet!

[537 Votes]

God is not dead. Neitzche is, and so is Isaac Asimov. Get over it.

[LogicWings]

There is no error, only math.

The error is you are reifying math.

[PatrickHenry]

I used to like Asimov a lot when I was a teenager. Then I grew up.

Your biography is thrilling. Please continue.