Rational Design Theory: A Bridge Between Science and Theology

Author: (American) Dembski, William, translated by Lu Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-06-01
Features: This book attempts to thoroughly critique and examine the naturalistic worldview and scientific perspective based on the findings of contemporary scientific research. The author argues that Darwin's theory of evolution did not become popular and deeply rooted solely due to scientific arguments. Before the theory gained traction, British natural theology held significant influence. The popularity of evolution was closely linked to the replacement of the teleological argument in British natural theology by empiricism and naturalism. Under the dominance of empiricism and naturalism, evolution became an exclusionary and dogmatic program of biological research. However, contemporary research in biology has shown that the teleological argument possesses strong scientific explanatory power and has great potential to replace the empiricist and naturalistic evolution as a scientific research program, because the teleological argument can explain many biological phenomena that evolution cannot. The development of contemporary information theory also strongly supports the teleological argument. Teleological design is a suitable subject of scientific research, and specific complexity is the standard for determining whether an object is the product of teleological design. The author also believes that science and theology are not irreconcilably opposed to each other; they can fully support and inspire one another.