Episode 8: The Ghost in the Machine
February 27, 2008 by greenmue
This episode inaugurates our series on the history behind the evolution-intelligent design controversy. Today, we examine the deep history of scientific method, and how the rules evolved to the point where intelligent design cannot follow them.
Guest essay - John Burchfield and Shalane Giles, “The Evolution of Scientific Method”
- for further reading:
- A. J. Ayer, Logical Positivism (Free Press, 1959).
- William A. Dembski, Design Revolution: Answering the Toughest Questions about Intelligent Design (InterVarsity Press, 2004).
- William A. Dembski and Michael Ruse, eds., Debating Design: From Darwin to DNA (Cambridge UP, 2004).
- Barry Gower, Scientific Method: A Historical and Philosophical Introduction (Routledge, 2002).
- Malachi Haim Hacohen, Karl Popper, the Formative Years, 1902-1945: Politics and Philosophy in Interwar Vienna (Cambridge UP, 2000).
- David C. Lindberg and Ronald L. Numbers, eds., When Science and Christianity Meet (University of Chicago Press, 2003).
- Ronald L. Numbers, The Creationists: From Scientific Creationism to Intelligent Design (Harvard UP, 2006).
- Michael Ruse, The Evolution-Creation Struggle (Harvard UP, 2006).
- Sergio Sismondo, Introduction to Science and Technology Studies (Blackwell, 2004).
- The TalkOrigins Archive: an online collection of articles on the evolution-intelligent design controversy, including documents from the McLean v. Arkansas case.
- John Burchfield and Shalane Giles are both seniors at Southwestern University. John is studying political science and has ambitions of becoming a writer. Shalane is studying religion and biology; after graduation, she plans to travel and may attend graduate school.
On the Shelf:
- Todd Tucker, The Great Starvation Experiment: Ancel Keys and the Men Who Starved for Science (University of Minnesota Press, 2008).
- You can listen to more about Ancel Keys’ starvation experiments in this podcast episode from American Radio Works: Battles of Belief.
Audio credits:
All music on this program courtesy of the Podsafe Music Network, except where noted.
- Sunburn in Cyprus, History (intro & outro)
- Happy Gemini 3, Pondering the 10th Planet (transitions)
- during guest essay:
- Devin Anderson, Pop Science (courtesy of PodSafe Audio)
- Asteria, Jamais Tante (courtesy of Magnatune)
- Rhonda Lorence, Winter Moon (courtesy of Magnatune)
- Andreas Haefliger, Bartok Out of Doors Suite Sz. 81 The Night’s Music, Musettes, and Barcarolla (courtesy of Magnatune)
- Solace, Tiger Moon Dance (courtesy of Magnatune)
- Science Groove, Necessary but Not Sufficient (following guest essay)
- Sound effects courtesy of the FreeSound Project:
well done, man