Science and Stories
by bipodCheck out this article by Roald Hoffmann on the relationship between science and story. The points made in the article do a good job of justifying the intelligent design theorists task of "retelling the biotic story". Notice that there is no anti-realism here…just the view that science works by telling stories about what we observe in nature. (the realism is in the verification by observation)
All theories tell a story. They have a beginning, in which people and ideas, models, molecules and governing equations take the stage. Their roles are defined; there is a puzzle to solve. Einstein sets his characters into motion so ingeniously, using entropy to tease out the parallels between moving molecules and the energy of light. The story develops; there are consequences of Einstein's approach. And at the end, his view of light as quantized and particular confronts the reality of the heretofore unexplained photoelectric effect. The postscripted future, of all else that can be understood and all new things that can be made, is implicit.

























July 15th, 2005 at 5:32 am
Thanks for this. However, you try telling Darwinists their theory is a story and see what response you get.
Comment by inunison — July 15, 2005 @ 5:32 am
July 15th, 2005 at 11:48 am
I would like to hear an ID story; anyone here want to tell it? With the exception of YECs and neo-Lamarckists, it doesn't seeem like IDists have a story to tell yet.
Comment by Aagcobb — July 15, 2005 @ 11:48 am