Episode 156: Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1876) Conclusion

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En provenance du cours de University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

33 notes

University of Alberta

Science & Religion 101

33 notes

This course examines the nature of both science and religion and attempts to explore the possible relationships between them. The primary purpose is to dispel the popular myth that science and religion are entrenched in a never-ending conflict. As a result, this course argues that if the limits of both science and religion are respected, then their relationship can be complementary. Topics include: Science and Religion Categories and Foundational Principles, Definitions of Science and Religion, Science-Religion Models and Relationships, Intelligent Design and Natural Revelation, the Galileo Affair, Geology and Noah’s Flood, Evolution and Darwin’s Religious Beliefs, the Modern “Evolution” vs. “Creation” Debate, the Problem of Evil, and Interpretations of the Biblical Accounts of Origins in Genesis 1-11. The course employs a Constructive Teaching Style in order that students can develop their personal views on the relationship between science and religion and on each of the topics listed above. St. Joseph's College is a Catholic, undergraduate, liberal arts college on the University of Alberta campus. It is an independent institution that is affiliated with the University of Alberta.

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Evolution & Darwin’s Religious Beliefs

This week we deal with the fascinating topic of the religious beliefs of Charles Darwin. To be sure, the theory of biological evolution has significant implications for religion. Evidence is drawn from Darwin’s notebooks, diaries, letters, and books, including his most famous book outlining the theory of evolution, On the Origin of Species (1859). To the surprise of most people, the belief in Intelligent Design was a concept that consumed Darwin throughout his life. In addition, we will also discover that only a few years before his death, he firmly stated, “It seems to me absurd to doubt that a man [or woman] may be an ardent theist & an evolutionist.” In other words, Charles Darwin thought it was perfectly logical to be both a religious person and also one who accepts biological evolution. Finally, this section considers the well-known proclamation of Richard Dawkins that “Darwin made it possible to be an intellectually fulfilled atheist.”

Episode 138: Key Thoughts. Richard Dawkins Thesis & Lamoureux Anti-Thesis4:46

Episode 139: Brief History of Charles Darwin3:36

Episode 140: Cambridge University (1828-1831) & Paley’s 3 Premises of Nature4:08

Episode 141: Cambridge University (Continued). Conclusion3:37

Episode 142: HMS Beagle Voyage (1831-1836)4:39

Episode 143: Conclusion: HMS Beagle Voyage4:02

Episode 144: 1st Period of Religious Reflection & Formulation of Theory of Evolution (1837-1838)3:43

Episode 145: Darwin’s Arguments against Divine Action & Christianity4:34

Episode 146: Formulation of a Teleological Theory of Evolution4:39

Episode 147: Formulation of a Teleological Theory of Evolution (Conclusion)4:44

Episode 148: Origin of Species (1859)4:00

Episode 149: Origin of Species (1859) Conclusion5:21

Episode 150: 2nd Period of Religious Reflection (1860-1861)3:40

Episode 151: Letter to Asa Gray (May 1860)5:04

Episode 152: Letter to Asa Gray (May 1860 & November 1860)5:05

Episode 153: Descent of Man (1871)5:46

Episode 154: Descent of Man (1871) Continued. Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1876)4:55

Episode 155: Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1876) Continued4:20

Episode 156: Autobiography of Charles Darwin (1876) Conclusion5:05

Episode 157: The Final Years (1879-882) Conversation with the Duke of Argyll5:37

Episode 158: Conclusion: Evolution & Darwin’s Religious Beliefs5:31

Episode 159: Conclusion (Continued)3:08

Hermeneutics 13C: The Heavens & Ancient Astronomy (Part II). The Heavenly Sea4:28

Hermeneutics 13D: The Heavens & Ancient Astronomy (Part III). The Upper & Lower Heavens14:24

Excursus: Water Canopy Theory3:45

Excursus II: Water Vapour Theory3:38

Rencontrer les enseignants

Denis Lamoureux
Associate Professor
St. Joseph's College

Episode 156.

Darwin then offers another argument for God's existence in his autobiography.

This is his second design argument.

And it could be called a rational intelligent design argument.

In quote 33, Darwin writes.

Another source of conviction in the existence of God.

Connected with the reason and

not the feelings impresses me as having much more weight.

This follows from the extreme difficulty.

And then, he corrects himself or

rather impossibility of conceiving this immense and wondrous universe.

Including men with his capacity of looking backwards and

far into futurity as a result of blind chancer necessity.

When thus reflecting I feel compelled to look

to a First Cause having an intelligent mind.

In some degree analogous to that of men.

And I deserve to be called a Theist.

It's very clear from this passage that Darwin rejects dysteleology.

He is firm in believing that the universe is not the result of blind chance or

necessity.

In fact, that's an impossibility according to Darwin.

Also note, the present tense of the last sentence, where Darwin states,

when thus reflecting, I feel compelled and I deserve to be called a theist.

Therefore, in 1876, when this sentence was written,

Darwin at times believed in God.

Darwin's beliefs in Qoute 33,

can be viewed through a biblical design categories.

The revolution in Nature is Active.

The impact of the wondrous universe compelled Darwin to look for

a creative mind behind the World.

This revelation is also intelligible because it is connected with the reason.

And finally, the natural world is revelatory.

Nature points to a first cause having an intelligent mind.

Of course Darwin has a rebuttal to his second design argument.

Immediately following Qoute 33, Darwin offers this counter argument.

This conclusion that is belief in design and God.

Was strong in my mind about the time as far as I can remember

when I wrote the origin of species.

And it is since that time that it has very gradually

with many fluctuations become weaker.

But then arises the horrid doubt.

Can the mind of man which has, as I fully believe,

been developed from a mind as low as that possessed by the lowest animal,

be trusted when it draws such grand conclusions?

This, indeed, is a remarkable passage.

Darwin was a theist & believed in design when he wrote the Origin of Species.

How often do we hear anyone saying this today?

Clearly, Darwin was not a so-called Darwinist

when he wrote his most famous book.

We also see in the rebuttal in Quote 34,

Darwin's Epistemological Dilemma or, as he terms it, "The Horrid Doubt".

Darwin states that he can't trust his mind on subjects of intelligent design in God.

Nor can he trust his mind to make grand conclusions.

But do you see the problem with this rebuttal?

What did Darwin just do?

He trusted his mind to make

a grand conclusion about not being able to trust his mind.

In other words, he blatantly contradicts himself.

You can't say you don't trust your mind because your

need mind to make that very statement.

To use the technical term, Darwin's rebuttal to a second design

argument suffers from Self-Referential Incoherence.

We can offer an assessment of Darwin's rebuttal in Quote 34.

And ask the question, did Darwin rebut or

offer a good counter-argument to his rational argument for God's existence?

In my opinion, no.

Therefore, intelligent design remains a powerful rational argument for belief in

a first cause having an intelligent mind in some degree analogous to that of man.

End of episode.

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