First, descent with modification leading to diversification
is currently the only scientifically justifiable explanation
for the origin of biological diversity. This position is consistent
with that of the American
Association for the Advancement of Science and the National
Academy of Sciences.
Second, descent with modification is as unifying in biology
as the concept of an ancient Earth is unifying in geology; the
entire science of biology is the study of the contemporary products
of evolutionary processes. Therefore, the term "Evolutionary
Biology" is, in a sense, analogous to the term "Old-Earth
Geology."
Third, all of science adopts a philosophy of methodological
naturalism; appeals to the supernatural are not permitted in
any science. Furthermore, science is not unique in this regard;
jurisprudence also assumes methodological naturalism - imagine
a trial in a system where appeals to supernatural explanations
and evidence were permitted. Thus, the notion of "intelligent
design" as an explanation for biological diversity is inherently
non-scientific.
Fourth, this policy is neither pro- nor anti-religious. Just
as the adoption of methodological naturalism in the practice
of law implies nothing about the religious beliefs of lawyers,
the fact that over 98%
of scientists acknowledge that scientific
evidence overwhelmingly supports biological evolution implies
nothing about the religious beliefs of scientists.
Therefore, "intelligent design" and other forms of creationism have no place
in the scientific endeavor except as examples of pseudoscience and the perils of
ignorance.
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