Naturalism and Evolutionary Theory

Can conclusions about God – for example, that he does not exist, or that he lacks this or that property if he does exist -- be deduced from well-established scientific theories?  For example, do established results in biology concerning mutation show that God never guides mutations?   I answer this question by explaining what biologists mean (or should mean) when they say that mutations are unguided.  I make use of the fact that evolutionary theory is a probabilistic theory; its truth does not entail that it is causally complete.

ELLIOTT SOBER - April 13, 2011 from Debating Darwin on Vimeo

This lecture is one in an ongoing series. PLEASE NOTE: It will be held at 4PM, Room 224, Social Sciences Research Building, The University of Chicago, 1126 E. 59th St.

For further information contact Beth Calderon (bethcalderon@uchicago.edu)

The Debating Darwin workshops are a series of lectures given by the most acclaimed historians and philosophers of science. These workshops, headed by Robert J. Richards of the University of Chicago and Michael Ruse of Florida State University are co-sponsored by the Fishbein Center for History of Science, the Office of the President, and the Templeton Foundation.