Beliefnet has published an interview by Laura Sheahan with biologist Richard Dawkins, who employs evolution in support of atheism.
In the second part of the interview, Sheahan says to Dawkins: "You criticize intelligent design, saying that 'the theistic answer'--pointing to God as designer--'is deeply unsatisfying'--presumably you mean on a logical, scientific level."
Dawkins then replies to the interviewer: "Yes, because it doesn't explain where the designer comes from. If they're going to emphasize the statistical improbability of biological organs—'these are so complicated, how could they have evolved?'--well, if they're so complicated, how could they possibly have been designed? Because the designer would have to be even more complicated."
My reply:
Dawkins does not explain WHY the designer of biological organs would have to be more complicated than the organs he designs. He does not think that such an explanation is necessary because he assumes that the designer, like the thing being designed, is also a material being.
Certainly, if God is material, then God could design biological organs ONLY IF He were more complicated than things He was designing. BUT if God is pure spirit, then God would actually simpler rather than more complicated, for a pure spirit has no parts. Hence if God is pure spirit, Dawkin's criticism does not apply.
In assuming that God must have parts, Dawkins assumes that only material beings exist. But in that case he is guilty begging the question-- a fallacy that one learns not to commit in Logic 101.
In the second part of the interview, Sheahan says to Dawkins: "You criticize intelligent design, saying that 'the theistic answer'--pointing to God as designer--'is deeply unsatisfying'--presumably you mean on a logical, scientific level."
Dawkins then replies to the interviewer: "Yes, because it doesn't explain where the designer comes from. If they're going to emphasize the statistical improbability of biological organs—'these are so complicated, how could they have evolved?'--well, if they're so complicated, how could they possibly have been designed? Because the designer would have to be even more complicated."
My reply:
Dawkins does not explain WHY the designer of biological organs would have to be more complicated than the organs he designs. He does not think that such an explanation is necessary because he assumes that the designer, like the thing being designed, is also a material being.
Certainly, if God is material, then God could design biological organs ONLY IF He were more complicated than things He was designing. BUT if God is pure spirit, then God would actually simpler rather than more complicated, for a pure spirit has no parts. Hence if God is pure spirit, Dawkin's criticism does not apply.
In assuming that God must have parts, Dawkins assumes that only material beings exist. But in that case he is guilty begging the question-- a fallacy that one learns not to commit in Logic 101.
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