Can Science Find God? Stephen Meyer vs. Michael Shermer

Intelligent Design the Future

Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture

Science, Philosophy, Astronomy, Society & Culture, Life Sciences

4 • 993 Ratings

🗓️ 17 February 2025

⏱️ 50 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Humans seem to be drawn in a certain direction toward truth and beauty. Is that an accident of nature? Or is there a higher truth prompting it? On this ID The Future, we're pleased to share the first half of an engaging conversation between philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer and historian of science Michael Shermer about science, God, the origin of information, and the nature of mind. The conversation was hosted by comedian and podcaster Bryan Callen on The Bryan Callen Show. In Part 1, Meyer and Shermer discuss arguments for design, the Big Bang, the origin of information, and the role of mind in the universe. This is Part 1 of a two-part interview. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode of ID The Future. We're grateful to the producers of The Bryan Callen Show for permission to share this conversation on ID The Future! Source

Transcript

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0:00.0	ID the Future, a podcast about evolution and intelligent design.
0:10.0	Welcome to ID the Future, delighted to have you with us.
0:15.0	I'm your host Andrew McDermott.
0:17.0	Well, today we're bringing you the first half of a fascinating discussion between philosopher
0:21.2	of science Dr. Stephen Meyer and historian of science and founding editor of Skeptic magazine
0:26.6	Michael Shermer.
0:28.5	The conversation was hosted by comedian and podcaster Brian Callan on the Brian Callan show.
0:34.6	The topic?
0:35.8	Well, quite a few things.
0:40.1	In part one, Meyer and Shermer explained that they both take a Bayesian approach to science, that is, they assign a likelihood ratio to a given
0:45.6	hypothesis based on the available evidence. This begs a few questions, which the two men then
0:51.7	discuss. How close can we get to the truth of a claim?
0:55.7	And when it comes to scientific explanations for the origin and development of life on earth,
1:00.7	which hypothesis has predictions that match what we actually observe in nature?
1:06.4	Callan admits to being romanced by Meyer's argument for intelligent design.
1:11.3	Shermer, not so much.
1:13.1	Yet he is humble and curious enough to sit down for an hour and a half to discuss the questions.
1:18.8	Why? Because he's interested in them.
1:21.5	And as Meyer puts it, no matter what side of the question you come down on,
1:25.2	if you're interested, we consider you a kindred spirit,
1:28.4	a colleague, if you will, and you're welcome at the table. During this half of the conversation,
1:34.4	Meyer summarizes some of his arguments for design, while Shermer pushes back and asks valid questions.
	...

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