A Philosophical/Theological Argument against Darwinian Evolution

I first posted this in a discussion in the combox here. As an ID proponent, I've been fond of saying that I don't have philosophical or theological objections to Darwinian evolution, merely empirical ones. But while trying to figure out what's going on in Plantinga's usually very reasonable mind, I think I've stumbled upon a theological objection to Darwinian evolution. Here's a first draft:

1) If Darwinian evolution is true, then our cognitive faculties were produced by an unguided process. (If my argument against Plantinga's view is correct*).
2) Therefore, our cognitive faculties are very probably unreliable. (from Plantinga's Evolutionary Argument against Naturalism).
3) But it is very probable that we have reliable cognitive faculties (given the goodness of God).
4) Therefore, it is very probable that Darwinian evolution is not true.

Still mulling it over, but I think there might be something to it.

We could make it a philosophical objection, also:

4) Our belief that Darwinian evolution is true is based upon our cognitive faculties.
5) But if Darwinian evolution is true, then our cognitive faculties are very probably unreliable (from (1) and (2) above).
6) Therefore our basis for belief that Darwinian evolution is true is unreliable.


*Plantinga maintains that Darwinian evolution is compatible with divinely guided evolution.  I have argued that the two are not compatible.

For Mike Gene

On Plantinga and Neo-Darwinism

I've started a conversation <strike>here.</strike>

Actually, there is already a conversation going on here: http://prosblogion.ektopos.com/archives/2012/02/prosblogion-rev.html

Of Hearts and Chisel Chesil Beach

I've joined in on a conversation here.

Dembski on Dembski

There's a recent Interview of William Dembski, which reveals something of what shaped his life from his youth and later. A taste:

"I went to public schools through the start of grade seven. Fourth through seventh grade was in the Evanston school system, which was nationally regarded as very good (Evanston Township High School was at the time regarded one of the best public high schools in the nation). Nonetheless, by the time I showed up, a permissive and secular educational philosophy had thoroughly vitiated that school system. Discipline was horrible. I was constantly being assaulted and getting into fights. I remember being chased during recess outside by a boy with a baseball bat who meant to use it on me. When he threw it at me, I tried to get my hands on it and I meant to use it on him, I was so angry. My hands fumbled and I couldn’t get a grip on it, so I just ran inside. Looking back, I think it was the grace of God that I didn’t beat his head in." more

My Turn on Judgment Day

Bilbo: "I'd just like to say that I argued for the Truth against all those idiots who didn't see it, just like you wanted me to."

Judge: "When did I tell you that I wanted you to spend all your time arguing for the 'Truth'?"

Bilbo: "Well, didn't you?"

Judge: "No. I wanted you to love other people, not spend all your time trying to prove that you were right."

Bilbo: "So my life has been a waste?"

Judge: "Pretty much."

Bilbo: "Is it too late to change?"

Judge: "Not yet."

Bilbo: "So should I start trying to love other people now, instead of arguing with them?"

Judge: "Sounds like a good idea to me."

Bilbo: "Loving people that I disagree with isn't very easy. Will you help me learn how to do that?"

Judge: "Gladly."

Bilbo: "Thank you."

Judge: "You're welcome."

Didn't Have to Wait Long

I posted Waiting For a Reply to James Shapiro on Friday, and I guess Douglas Axe posted his reply soon afterwards: On Protein Origins, Getting to the Root of Our Disagreement with James Shapiro .