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(092112)

Overview on Science


General Idea

Scientific information is so much a part of our lives we often do not challenge what we read, hear, or see. In fact, the world is just getting to be "too much information."

The window, however, presents something scientifically remarkable ... about your life ... and while skeptics and critics shutter the window and walk away ... we advise close consideration of this page, this area, especially in light of the other topic areas and key scenarios in WindowView ... because that, all together, is even more remarkable.

This Overview is a plain language starting point. The following Thesis page is a bit more technical. Both pages are an initial look at why science is telling us life is not just material, nor simply by chance, but is unique and very special. Humanity has the data to say so. All we need do is look—objectively. To open the window further a few starting points are presented here. Visiting the Thesis page opens the window further.

Role of Science

The sciences allow us to explore, manipulate, and better understand the material realm we exist in. Science is a driving force for generating change (for example, technology and industrial advancements, but further, the force accelerates the use of resources and the resultant greenhouse gases forcing climate change). Science is also the discipline with tools to study effects of global change on earth.

Another huge role for scientific information is in telling 'our story,' to explain life's origin, and document changes in life history over time. Scientists often relate this story in terms of the human material experience—typically with material naturalism's focus, that is, with natural cause and effect explanations. One key question is: "In light of recent assessments, are we always hearing the correct story?" Perhaps it's time to dig deeper in reviewing of the data we already have.

Data Review

We need to know if the scientific data are evaluated correctly, or is there is more to the story of life? Is there more to the data itself? This overview page is posted because a deeper review does reveal something significant. There is, in the facts, more to the story than we have been commonly told!

You may be thinking this is a matter of pitting the ideology of evolutionists against creationists. That is a distraction from the main point. The real question is: What do the data tell us? Get past the rhetoric and keep a focus on that question. Where does the evidence really lead us? And if the scientific community has anything wrong, in any way, is the story being corrected? If not, why not, and what are the consequences?

The Other Side of the Coin

The analogy of a coin is important here. That familiar side of the coin we see each day may be 'heads.' But the entire coin has two sides with substance (one solid data set) in the middle. Once the coin's back side reveals 'tails,' then an opportunity arises to see the data from the other side—from all perspectives. And here is a vital question: Does science, as a discipline and humans as practitioners, fail to fully assess what the data tell us? Have we been wearing out old assumptions and coming repeatedly to misguided conclusions? If a look at the other side of the coin removes assumptions, to better inform us, then 'tails' tells a factual tale with clarifications and potential surprises.

What is that tale?

Answering questions is the reason to look through this window!

What we see are perspectives from many angles and not just science alone.

Perspectives In View

For now, the following overview briefly addresses two select perspectives—one biological and the other from astronomy. For the sciences overall, the window is also open to the disciplines of mathematics, physics, chemistry, physiology, cell biology, genetics, information science, medicine, paleontology, and geology.

The net result of adding multiple scientific perspectives together is a summary view of the scientific big picture. Where a single perspective might lead to an isolated conclusion, the additive effect of all perspectives put together refines the conclusion(s) overall. Further, if assumptions are eliminated and "what we know as of this time" is a frame of reference, then the data will lead to the best scientific inference or conclusion.



The focus for the moment is on some unique views based on scientific evidence, some examples follow:

A Biological Perspective:

An objective assessment of scientific findings demonstrates a remarkable difference to what is so often taught about biology. Consider this, there is specifically no explanation for:

- a means for life’s origin arising from chemicals

- a stepwise trial and error origin of biological (genetic and epigenetic) information (i.e., no clear accounting for the origin of coded, complex, and specified information in life forms)

- macroevolution (i.e., the Darwinian general theory; a complete fossil record lacks the myriad of of transitional intermediates testifying of all life arising from one ancient ancestral life form.)

- molecular and genetic means to make biological innovations (such as progressive development of the eye or new functional protein from, respectively, an existing structure or protein). This point comes from fossil evidence and modern studies where results are rarely if ever considered in terms of design—which is say 'the other side of the coin' reveals an applicable perspective.

While these statements include negative findings, they all tell something important regarding our expectation of material cause and effect. Explanations for origins may take us beyond simple cause and effect answers.

Furthermore, some awesome positive findings are equally remarkable:

- life forms appear on Earth in sudden appearances (a blink of an eye in geological terms) and only in conjunction with earthly conditions that are appropriate to sustain those forms.

- fossil records reveal dispersals, abundance, and diversity of life forms that come far too quickly to support the Darwin’s general theory. This is contrary to key assumption of expanses of time sufficient for evolution by natural selection. (Darwin acknowledged this as a problem in light of the sudden appearance of Cambrian animals and later the appearance of flowering plants.)

- the fossil record is now deemed adequate and sufficiently complete to give a fair assessment of the history of life from 3.8 billion years ago to the present day. More than the lack of transitional intermediate forms that Darwin expected, scientists report that when extinction events happen, life rebounds, including new forms, quickly (tens of thousands of years) after each event.

Many of these and other related issues are recognized in the back halls of science—but as yet not declared publicly. This hesitancy leads the pubic and students along a sustained line of assumptions, even when the data say otherwise.

A Perspective From Astronomy:

Looking at the universe and Earth from an astronomer’s vantage point, brings other relevant factors into view, such as:

- there was a beginning (science confirmed what Scripture recorded long ago)

- the universe is fine-tuned (with just the right conditions) making life possible

- the placement of earth in our galaxy is specifically in a 'sweet spot,' a habitable zone, of currently favorable galactic conditions for life. (This kind of condition, by itself, eliminates numerous other possible life bearing planets in the Milky Way. The same principle reduces life bearing candidates in all other galaxies of the universe).

- the earth, sun, and lunar relationships are uniquely fine-tuned to support the series of life forms that have appeared over the course of earth's history.

- numerous conditions specific to planet Earth (including factors from the atmosphere, to the surface and depths of oceans, to the plate tectonics that shift continents, to the composition of the Earth's core), make for a just right environment here—the earth is fine tuned for life by a multitude of factors—we live on a Privileged Planet.

The topics in the Science Area fit a few common themes, including: origin of life, conditions in the universe and on earth that uniquely support life, evolution, information, design, time, and additional unique examples.

Adding Perspectives For A Closer Look

A close look at the scientific data provides an awakening. This is a shock force striking current scientific paradigms. Looking, exploring, and thinking about life in the context of the scientific evidence leads to a deeper appreciation for life itself. After all, life is now and if this experience is special, and perhaps on purpose, then your life now this is an opportunity to find answers.

The additive effect of putting perspectives together opens the window further. The window's view reaches further.... allowing us to consider that science and Scripture are not in conflict. Initially, data, evidence, and scientific information yield a unique realization. The science scenario lends support for the reasons say life is special and not by chance. In overview, the scientific data also support a harmony from the material realm to a scriptural perspective, that together to provide awesome insight about our being here, now, at just the right time with just the right conditions.

Adding all unique perspectives together brings all the evidence into view and the elements of the window merge into a larger picture. The Convergence Area illustrates the window’s framework as a summary for the entire WindowView.


Next Steps

The thesis page is more specific, perhaps a bit more technical. Just keep in mind documented sources are pulled together to present the thesis. Further, click on the All Articles link and you'll be presented with a menu of articles that examine number of supporting perspectives.


T. Peterson, Ph.D., Editor
102414

How the earth & cosmos are designed for human life.

For further information: Visit Privileged Species


 

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