Sy Garte on Challenging the Consensus

I think you are describing an interesting situation, which reminds me of the surprise that BioLogos had when I challenged some of their “consensus.” I think, rather than getting the details straight, it was more about the appearance about being aligned with mainstream science.

It is a bit like:

And I think I would use a bit different language than you @sygarte. I would say:

I think the heart of the problem is that science functions like an appeal to authority among those that do not understand it. But it is really an invitation to play by the rules challenge the consensus, to improve it. Of course, ti takes an immense amount of training and work to find something new, but that is what the invitation of science is.

Is that what you are getting at @sygarte?


Well, not for me. I’m not inserting God into science. Scientific explanations do just fine without divine causation. I’m just having fun thinking about science in light of other things. Not as science experiment, but as scientist in the public square.

Well, I’m not going to defend EC specifically, but if we could grow a more science centered voice, that took ambassadorship seriously, I think you might appreciate.

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I’ve been talking to Scott Lilienfeld, a scientist at Emory, about the psychology these conversations. He writes about a key fact, and gives an important term:

He talks about ‘surprising validators,’ and their importance. For example, when I argued on behalf of @Agauger and Buggs, that was an example of a surprising validation. Not many people expected that. If my position was “oppose ID on everything,” it would not have happened. Instead, it was rather to see what I could possibly affirm with integrity. @Agauger has been a surprising validator in the other direction, being kind to me both in public and private, even though I affirm evolutionary science. That sort of exchange is how our understanding moves forward, and we begin to trust each other.

Taking the mental short cut to say that ID is wrong on everything, or the YEC is wrong on everything, forecloses are opportunity to build bridges. It is a type of disconfirmation bias, and ends up perpetuating distrust is a clouding truth. It ultimately is a dead end, the dead end we are currently in.

Any how, @sygarte, I’m not sure you are saying to go out mainstream science. I think you are saying we need to

  1. be willing to propose new ideas that challenge the consensus
  2. risk validating people outside mainstream science when they have a good point
  3. avoid the appeal to authority group-think that silences real inquiry

Is that it?

So TRUE.

I wonder if that is actually close the confusion I’ve had with BioLogos. I think they do not really know the rules, so they break them in some places, but are to cautious in others. Seems life a very difficult situation for them. Reminds me of a Proverb:

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7

This exchange was very elucidating for both myself and @Patrick:

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Yup. You got it 100%.

So, @sygarte, how have you seen BioLogos on the continuum? To what extend to you agree or disagree with:

@sygarte, I’m asking because BioLogos makes for an elucidating prism to understand these issue better. What type of approach are they taking forward?

And I just changed the title to something more in line with this thread. Thanks for contributing @sygarte, this is great. Also, looking forward to your response.

And for onlookers, @sygarte is the real deal.

Though, are you still with BioLogos?

I hope he get’s around to tell us his story:

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Joshua, you have me blushing. Its well known that a high h index is one of the few good things about aging.

I am not as active currently on the Biologos forum as I have been in the past, and I have never had any actual formal role with Biologos after around 2011, when I did some consulting for them. I do think that they are the best resource that exists for explaining the EC position, and I frequently link their web site on Twitter and Facebook to people who ask questions about science and faith. There is a huge audience for the information they have gathered, and I believe they are a critical resource for education and outreach to Christians and others who are confused about how scientists (like us) can believe in Christ as Lord and Savior.

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It took an entire book to tell the whole story (which will be published next year by Kregel Press), but in response to many requests I posted this on my blog, which is a brief summary.

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I read your blog and enjoyed the story. I am glad you found your happiness and peacefulness in your mind. Everyone should be free to live their lives with their own peace, happiness, purpose, and meaning.

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You also wrote it in a tweet this February, with 5,000 retweets and 8000 links.

Careful @Patrick, we might forget that you are a fundo-militant atheist and start thinking you are friendly. :wink:

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I think you are also saying:

  1. we have to admit where we were wrong.

And I’d like to add that this is a critical quality of excellent scientists.

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I am a friendly atheist - kind, compassionate. I have everything to live for and nothing to die for. :sunglasses:

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I have here by bestowed upon you the title “Friendly Atheist”. I am very curious to see if this keeps people from taking the bombs you throw seriously. If the title is removed, do not take personally. I just wouldn’t want to interfere with your fun.

I like the title. It is much better than Militant Atheist. If you need other titles for me, blasphemer, heretic, and heathen are okay too. :rofl:

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4 posts were split to a new topic: Anthony Bordain’s Death a Tragedy

Good post, Sy - but is this argument sustainable? Sustaining the idea that science (and especially origins science) is about consensus is actually maintaining a myth. Moreover, it’s not evenhanded - even ordinary folk in churches get to hear that some theology is disputable, and when well taught they become discerning. When they’re not well taught, and think that all the theology is cut and dried, they either become bigots or ripe for disillusionment.

One way of disillusioning them in a bad way is by presenting science as the settled truth they thought they had in religion. Better, surely, to excite them to the challenge of discernment in both fields, which is, of course, quite compatible with taking both as genuine sources of truth.

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Of course, I agree with you, Jon, but my comment about the role of those who teach the basics of science, stressing compatibility with faith is necessary for many as a first step. Blogs like yours, and this one of Josh’s (and occasionally my own) do some of this but are more excited by and interested in the next step. which could be phrased as “the challenge of discernment”. I think both steps are useful; it could be confusing for many to see the second before fully incorporating the first. Sort of like trying to have a discussion of the theological differences between Catholics and Protestants with someone who never heard of Jesus Christ or the Gospels.

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I see where you’re coming from, but when people have heard of Catholics and Protestants (like in most of the world) they’re quite likely to ask an explanation of “which religion is true” - that’s how they’ll ask it, but one will reply with a brief account of why there are differences, what is shared, and end in “mere Christianity”.

Nowadays, people are aware of scientific controversy, not to mention “science” v “creation science”, and I doubt it’s helpful in the long term simply to endorse the first, and scorn the latter, because one day they’ll discover that the adaptationists scorn the neutralists just as much!

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Related to a more recent conversation too: The Paradox of Scientific Consensus.

i also have noticed in any subject of science there is controversy, anger/hurt feelings, and constant claims that the others got it wrong.
There is seldom consensus unless a long time later. LIKE GERMS are real. They all agree now.
There is no credibility at all to tell creationists anything is settled in origin subjects. Its as unsettled as anything and heaps more EVEN without creationist complaints.
In North america today origin issues are famous for division inn opinion. Its beyond famous.
I don’t think any subject in science is/ever was as contentious intellectually as origin conclusions.
rightly so!