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Probability's Nature and Nature's Probability: A Call to Scientific Integrity |  | Author: Dr Donald E. Johnson
Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
Buy New: $12.99
as of 11/24/2009 22:17 CST details
New (2) Used (5) from $10.39
Seller: Amazon.com
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 48715
Media: Paperback
Pages: 132
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.5
Dimensions (in): 7.3 x 6.4 x 0.5
ISBN: 1439228620
Dewey Decimal Number: 576
EAN: 9781439228623
ASIN: 1439228620
Publication Date: March 18, 2009
Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours
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Product Description
The author once believed anyone not accepting the “proven” evolutionary scenario that was ingrained during his science education was of the same mentality as someone believing in a flat earth. With continued scientific investigation, paying closer attention to actual data (rather than speculative conclusions), he began to doubt the natural explanations that had been so ingrained in a number of key areas including the origin and fine-tuning of mass and energy, the origin of life with its complex information content, and the increase in complexity in living organisms. It was science, and not religion, that caused his disbelief in the explanatory powers of undirected nature. The fantastic leaps of faith required to accept the undirected natural causes in these areas demand a scientific response to the scientific-sounding concepts that in fact have no known scientific basis. Scientific integrity needs to be restored so that ideas that have no methods to test or falsify are not considered part of science. Too often “possible” is used by scientists without considering that “possible” has a scientific definition within the nature of probability. For example, one should not be able to get away with stating “it is possible that life arose from non-life by ...” or “it’s possible that a different form of life exists elsewhere in the universe” without first demonstrating that it is indeed possible (non-zero probability) using known science. One could, of course, state “it may be speculated that ... ,” but such a statement wouldn’t have the believability that its author intends to convey by the pseudo-scientific pronouncement. This book reviews the many prevalent scenarios that are widely accepted, but need closer examination of their scientific validity. It will also examine the scientific validity of Intelligent Design (ID) as a model that can be empirically detected and examined. For example, the book uses known science (including Shannon and Functional information principles) to prove that it is impossible (zero probability) for life’s complex information system to have an undirected natural source. The usefulness of the ID model for furthering scientific inquiry is also analyzed. One chapter is devoted to exposing fallacies, presuppositions, and beliefs that attempt to prevent acceptance of ID as “science.”
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Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
Amazing Collection of Quotations From Both Sides November 20, 2009
James Pappas (Califoria)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Dr. Johnson's book is an amazing source of documentation which provides the reader with a well-founded basis for concluding that our universe is the result of careful planning. While not addressing the "who" of intelligent design the case for it was very well made. It will be interesting to see if any of those from the macroevolution camp are able to refute Johnson's thesis with anything of scientific substance.
In conclusion, this book is well worth reading even if the average layman can't understand all the smaller details.
Jim Pappas
 Quantitative Evidence for Design August 29, 2009
Cecil Phillips (Baton Rouge, LA USA)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
Johnson uses probability theory and information theory to explain the key problems with Darwinian evolution. His style is quite condensed, but readable and persuasive. His main arguments are essentially the same as Stephen Meyer's in "Signature in the Cell," which is a more comprehesive treatment in 600 pages (as compared with Johnson's 132 pages).
He also makes extensive use of quotations from other scientists to lend credence to each of his points.
The author addresses only the scientific issues related to evolution and the origin of life, not the religious aspects. In a limited section on the non-scientific views, his lead sentence is "A supernatural designer is erroneously believed by many to be required by ID."
Highly Recommended August 24, 2009
John Chaikowsky, Jr. (Godfrey, IL)
4 out of 6 found this review helpful
I thought Dr. Johnson's book was excellent. For such a small book, it was just packed with all kinds of facts and figures that can be used in debates and PowerPoint presentations. His chapter 6 on Information was my favorite.
He has a knack of being able to explain technical things very well, at least well enough where an interested high school student could understand your arguments. I may buy another copy and donate it to our Christian school library. I might put it into the teachers resource library.
I have two criticisms about the book. One where he mentions on page 4 that Biblical Creationists dismiss the concept of ID as irrelevant since the God of the Bible is not portrayed as the Designer but as the Creator. I don't think that is a true statement. I just came back fron AIG's Creation College several weeks ago, and the work of several ID scientists were quoted and used favorably. We can use their information and build on it. AIG and ICR don't like the idea that Iders will not admit that the Designer is the God of the Bible. They somehow think they are being dishonest. I don't agree with them, I can see where the General Revelation can not give us the Plan of Salvation. We can only get that from Special Revelation. Iders from the beginning stated that they were approaching ID without any religious text. They follow the evidence as far as it will go, but no farther. As it should be.
My second problem has to do with the way you referenced your quotes. Your quotes are followed by three or four letters of the authors last name and a page number (which is fine), but, the references in the back, although in alphabetical order, does not start, a lot of times, with the last name. It was really difficult to look up references. It was a jumbled mess. If you would start each reference with the last name of the author, it would be a lot easier to follow.
I hope he has another book in him, I'd but it today if was available.
Macroevolution and Intelligent Design...What are their Probabilities? July 28, 2009
M. Hockett (Colorado Springs, CO USA)
5 out of 7 found this review helpful
A uniquely excellent discussion of the calculable probabilities of Evolution and Intelligent Design. Hopefully, the author's upfront tutorial on numbers and measurements doesn't scare off the reader. Actually, Johnson gives lots of examples of the applications of numbers with big positive and negative exponents and associated probabilities terms. Once through that, which is interesting in itself, he goes to his discussion of the big question, How could life have began and evolved, any time, any where? He discusses both Darwinian Evolution (especially macroevolution) and Intelligent Design, which anyone should find fascinating. In his discussion, he disclaims God as the intended end game of ID. Johnson is educated, experienced, and credentialed to credibly present his discussion.
Examine the evidence for yourself June 4, 2009
Tad Burland (Covina, CA)
11 out of 15 found this review helpful
Dr. Johnson's book gives you a good perspective of the various scientific analysis/theories of creation and a good understanding of what "Intelligent Design" means. The subtitle "A Call to Scientific Integrity" accurately sums it up, "Integrity" being the key word here.
If these scientific theories were held to the same accountability a Judge or Lawyer uses to examine a case, many would be tossed out for lack of sufficient evidence.
Darwin's Theory of Evolution is a good example of a scientific explanation for something science can't prove because it lacks supporting evidence.
Theory is defined as:
1 - An assumption based on limited information or knowledge; a conjecture.
2 - a : a hypothesis assumed for the sake of argument or investigation b : an unproved assumption : CONJECTURE c : a body of theorems presenting a concise systematic view of a subject
This book will challenge you but hopefully you will come away better informed about the complexities in creating life.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 9
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