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Teaching Origins Science
Objectively
Chris Macosko
Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials
Science
University of Minnesota
ID and the Future of Design
April 24, 2004
EVIDENCE FOR DESIGN IN NATURE
IFT-1001 (sec. 3)
2 credits (S/N)
Instructor: Chris Macosko
office: 304 Amundson
phone: 625-0092
e-mail: [email protected]
Office Hours: M 1:15, W 10:05, Th 1:25
Time:
Thursday, 3:35-5:00, Amundson 104, starting Sept 24, 1998
(taught each fall since with William Monsma)
Does the Big Bang theory for the origin of the Universe imply a first cause? Do the laws of
physics and the remarkably narrow range of physical constants which control them point to
design? Is "man the result of a purposeless and natural process that did not have him in
mind"? (G. G. Simpson, The Meaning of Evolution, 1967) This seminar will explore these and
related questions on design in the universe. We will analyze mainly what scientists say they
can know and not know about design, but also several philosophers and even a lawyer. We
will look at aspects of cosmology, chemistry of life molecules, cell biology. origin of species,
human evolution and language.
“For those who are studying the origin of life, the question
is no longer whether life could have originated by chemical
processes involving nonbiological components. The
question has instead become which of many pathways
might have been followed to produce the first cells.”—Ch.
2, pg 6.
Biology
G.B.Johnson and
R.H.Raven, 1996
Biochemistry
D. Voet & J.G. Voet
Wiley 2004
Autobiogenesis:
Spontaneous Origin
of Life
Oparin, Haldane, 1930’s
Adapted from
“A Production of Amino Acids under
Possible Primitive Earth Conditions,”
Stanley L. Miller, Science, New Series,
Vol. 117, No. 3046. (May 15, 1953),
pp. 528-529.
General formula for amino acids
(http://web.mit.edu/esgbio/www/lm/proteins/aa/aminoacids.html)
Table 1-4 Yields from
Sparking Mixture of CH4,
NH2 , H2O and H2
First photograph ever taken from the surface of Mars.
Viking 1 Lander July 20, 1976.
Primary objectives of the Viking missions
- obtain high-resolution images of the Martian surface,
- characterize the atmosphere and surface
- search for evidence of life on Mars.
http://grin.hq.nasa.gov/ABSTRACTS/GPN-2003-00061.html
“…recent advances…have thrown serious
doubts on the anoxic [oxygen free] model…”
—H. Clemmey and N. Badham
“Oxygen in the precambrian atmosphere:
An evaluation of the geological evidence.”
Geology 10(3), 145 (March 1982).
“No geological or geochemical evidence collected
in the last 30 years favors a strongly reducing
primitive atmosphere…Only the success of the
laboratory experiments recommends it.”
—R.A. Kerr
“Origin of life: new ingredients suggested.”
Science 210(4465), 42 (October 3, 1980).
Autobiogenesis:
Spontaneous Origin
of Life
Oparin, Haldane, 1930’s
ORIGINAL from book
Can Random Reactions Produce a Protein?
Typical protein
N = 100-300
How many ways to arrange 100 amino acids,
5 of each type?
Ω = # arrangements =
N!
n1!⋅n2!Ln20!
100! 100!
115
=
=
=
10
5!5!L (5!)20
10115 different peptides <105 useful for life
Can Random Reactions Produce a Protein?
How long will it take to create a particular polypeptide?
(1041)(1014 rearrange/s)(1017s) = 1072 polypeptides
vs.
10115 possible structures
fastest chemical reaction
age of Earth?
Stanley Miller
National
Geographic
1998
Oparin, Haldane, 1930’s
Why do textbook writers continue
to include Autobiogenesis
theories?
Naturalism presupposes
Theism presupposes
- matter first
- information first
- only naturalistic
causes
- natural & supernatural
causes
- nothing outside
Nature
- God controls Nature
- no designer, no God
- Nature is designed,
Naturalists fear
Theists fear
- teach religion in science
class
- teach philosophy in
science class
- ignorance = God
- ignorance = purposelessness
- need a scientific theory
- don’t need alternate theory to
reject Darwinism
- rejection by peers
- autonomy
- any criticism of Darwinism
is religiously motivated
No Child Left Behind Act
passed by Congress in 2001
Santorum ammendment
The language is on page 703, under item 79. It reads:
The Conferees recognize that a quality science education
should prepare students to distinguish the data and
testable theories of science from religious or philosophical
claims that are made in the name of science. Where topics
are taught that may generate controversy (such as biological
evolution), the curriculum should help students to
understand
the full range of scientific views that exist, why
such topics may generate controversy, and how scientific
discoveries can profoundly affect society.
Recommendations for Minnesota Science Standards
1. Add the following five additional benchmarks to the “Life
Science” section to improve the coverage of evolution:
a. Students will be able to distinguish the different meanings of
the term evolution, as well as explain the different levels of
evidentiary support for each meaning.
b. Students will be able to distinguish between microevolution and
macroevolution and explore the controversy over whether
microevolution can be extrapolated to explain macroevolution.
c. Students will be able to explain the limits of natural selection
and random mutation to explain complexity.
d. Students will be able to critically analyze the evidence for
universal common ancestry.
e. Students will be able to explain the controversy surrounding
the origin of life.
ACTION:
Check high school biology texts
Talk about teaching the controversy
Write to teachers, Op Ed pieces
Slides available at
http://www3.cems.umn.edu/research/macosko/
Resources:
www.arn.org; www.leaderu.com; www.discovery.org;
http://www.asa3.org;
Phillip Johnson Defeating Darwinism by Opening Minds,
InterVarsity 1997
William A. Dembski Intelligent Design: The Bridge between
Science and Theology InterVarsity 1999
Michael Behe Darwin’s Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge
to Evolution, The Free Press, 1996
Jonathan Wells Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Regnery
2000
Touchstone Magazine July 1999 www.fsi.org
Dave Clounch [email protected]
http://education.state.mn.us/standards/
Evolution = change
Microevolution: bacteria change to resist antibiotics
finch beaks get longer (shorter) with weather
changes
Macroevolution: mutation and natural selection
1. Naturalism – only matter, natural laws
Theistic Evolution – God started it
2. Young Earth Creation – Earth < 10,000 yrs old
Creation Science – Genesis as a science text
3. Old Earth Creation – days in Genesis = eons
4. Intelligent Design – don’t presuppose Bible or naturalism, follo
the data