Top Ten books to read on the intelligent design controversy, 2009 #3

3. Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design by Bradley Monton. In the breakthrough book of the year, an atheist professor of the philosophy of physics at a secular university has written a book to defend intelligent design. As Professor Monton would admit, it's a partial defense, as he does not find ID arguments overwhelmingly convincing, but he also does not find them trivial, and he believes they should be allowed on the table and in the classroom for discussion. He even went so far as to defend intelligent design in a public debate in 2008, and his position as a true educator seeking truth has brought the wrath of Darwinists and fellow atheists down on his head. But that did not prevent him from publishing his position in Seeking God in Science. Monton's work on a rigorous definition of intelligent design in chapter one is worth the price of the book alone. The good news is you don't have to be a philosopher to understand this book. Monton has done a great job of making his arguments accessible to the general reader.

[From Denyse: This demonstrates a key point: Design in nature could be correct or incorrect. Darwinists - whose living depends on institutional support for denying design, despite evidence - have laboured long and hard to make design impossible to discuss intelligibly. Once they were reduced to marketing urban folklore about conspiracies to introduce religion into the school system, etc., the way opened for Monton to initiate an intelligent debate.]

Here's a podcast with Monton.

Top Resource #4 is here.

Podcasts in the intelligent design controversy 5: Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design

In this ID the Future podcast, Casey Luskin interviews Bradley J. Monton, Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder, about his new book Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design (Broadview Press, 2009). As the book’s title suggests, Monton is an atheist who feels that some intelligent design (ID) arguments hold merit and are worth taking seriously. Listen to this podcast as Monton explains how ID-critics commonly dismiss the theory through fallacious objections that do not address the actual arguments of ID-proponents.

Go here to listen.

[From Denyse: I've written about Monton before, here. Here's his book on the subject, and here's his view of the recent Bloggingheads controversy (That ol' time magic! ID theorist disappears in broad Internet daylight). Monton, as I read him, is an atheist of the old, rational school, like Antony Flew (before he became a deist/theist). He thinks the ID theorists are wrong, but agrees that - based on evidence - they have a case worth arguing. He is clearly far more interested in pursuing ideas than in protecting institutions, but that's what a philosopher should be, and shame on those who aren't.]

Next: Podcasts in the intelligent design controversy 6: Back to school with real science

(Note: If you follow me at Twitter, you will get regular notice of new Post-Darwinist posts, usually when I have posted five or so stories.)

Bradley Monton: Atheist argues that design is serious scientific theory

Apparently, Bradley Monton has just published a book with Broadview Press:

The doctrine of intelligent design is often the subject of acrimonious debate. Seeking God in Science cuts through the rhetoric that distorts the debates between religious and secular camps. Bradley Monton, a philosopher of science and an atheist, carefully considers the arguments for intelligent design and argues that intelligent design deserves serious consideration as a scientific theory.

Monton also gives a lucid account of the debate surrounding the inclusion of intelligent design in public schools and presents reason why students' science education could benefit from a careful consideration of the arguments for and against it.

I sure hope Monton has tenure. Otherwise, he could end up driving truck for a living.

Not that there is anything wrong with that. I once considered it myself, because they really needed stable middle-aged women with small hands to get under the trailer and do some of the fine hitch work - but I knew I didn't have the muscle power. (If you must stomp on a can opener to get it through the lid, you do not have the muscle power for industry. Better stick to freelance journalism, if anyone taught you the trade.)

Atheist defends intelligent design - and I gather he's pretty good

Below are links to the Discovery Institute's five podcasts of University of Colorado (Boulder) professor of the philosophy of physics Bradley Monton - who is an atheist - on why the universe might show evidence of design. Monton teamed up with another skeptic of religion, mathematician David Berlinski, against materialist atheist Lawrence Krauss and British theistic evolutionist Denis Alexander, to defend the design of the universe as an intellectually worthy idea (not just some religious schtick).

Here's more on the debate. And the five pods are linked below.

Well, it's no secret that the intelligent design debate is more nuanced than legacy media portray it.

I suspect that fewer than 200 journalists in the world actually know what the controversy is about.

How can you tell if they do?

First, they realize that the evidence from science does not support current materialist or naturalist or no-design theory. (Shhhh!)

They are not columnists retailing fatuous lines like "There is no conflict between faith and science!"

or

"No creationism is the schools! Darwin explained it all without God. (But (optionally) you can holler your guts out for Jesus anyway. Maybe it is good for evolution if you do."

Often, the same columnist is shouting both slogans, at different times.

Good thing too, because there isn't a 360 degree swivel joint in the human head!

Second, they have actually read and thought about the books written by ID theorists like Mike Behe, Bill Dembski, and Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay Richards, which advance a testable thesis.

They have looked beyond the smoke and noise generated by fossil science organizations and the "Christian" scientists who meet with them to plan strategy to prevent considreation of design, purpose, or meaning in the universe. (There is a scandal here, awaiting detailed discovery - rats for me, I am mainly a trade news hack, and may not get in on the best cellar.)

Anyway, here's Monton on design:

Part One

This episode of ID the Future features part one of Casey Luskin's interview with atheist philosopher of physics Bradley Monton, author of a new book on intelligent design. Prof. Monton has a unique perspective of the debate over intelligent design as an atheist who is trying to elevate the debate.

Professor Monton is debating intelligent design and the existence of God this weekend in Fort Worth, TX.

Part Two

This episode of ID the Future features the second part of Casey Luskin's interview with atheist philosopher of physics Bradley Monton.

Prof. Monton shares his experience in the debate over intelligent design and discusses the Dover decision, rebutting trial witness philosopher Robert Pennock.

Prof. Monton has a unique perspective of the debate over intelligent design as an atheist who is trying to elevate the debate. In 2006, he authored a paper on Judge Jones' Kitzmiller ruling, "Is Intelligent Design Science? Dissecting the Dover Decision."

Part Three

On this episode of ID the Future, Casey Luskin continues his interview with atheist philosopher of science Bradley Monton. Professor Monton discusses his role in "The Great Debate on Intelligent Design" last weekend. Interestingly, the two presenters on the pro-ID side, including Prof. Monton, were non-theists.

Listen is as Prof. Monton shows that the debate over intelligent design is far more nuanced than most portray it.

Part Four

On this episode of ID the Future, atheist philosopher of science Bradley Monton turns the tables on Casey Luskin, putting the question to him about the Dover trial. What is the story of Discovery Institute's involvement in that infamous case? Listen in as Professor Monton asks good questions and gets good answers.

Part Five

This episode of ID the Future features the last in a series of interviews with atheist philosopher of physics Bradley Monton. Professor Monton's perspective enriches and expands the debate over intelligent design, as he discusses whether an ID proponent can be an atheist, the scientific evidence for intelligent design, and the importance of the argument from cosmology.

Professor Monton also shares his experience dealing with Robert Pennock, a Darwinist philosopher of science who had an interesting response when Monton published a paper on the Dover decision, critiquing Pennock. Monton breaks this story for the first time in this interview, but the full tale is told in his forthcoming book, Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design, (Broadview Press, 2009).

Find out why there is an intelligent design controversy:

If the universe was designed, it does not follow that your grandmother's superstitions are true

Physicist Bradley Monton, an atheist philosopher of science (University of Colorado Boulder), doesn't seem to mind being in trouble here and here as he looks at the reasons why the universe might show evidence of design. Hey, Bradley.

It's that "life of the mind" thing, right? Don't expect yur local political correctness commissar to understand.

Monton teamed up with another skeptic of religion, mathematician David Berlinski, against materialist atheist Lawrence Krauss and Brit God-hollerer Denis Alexander, to defend the design of the universe as an intellectually worthy idea (not just some religious schtick). Here's more on the debate.

Good for Monton and Berlinski, for clearing sludge out of the way and shame on God-hollerers who maintain it for their own ends.

Find out why there is an intelligent design controversy: