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For more information:
Shaun Johnston
845-658-8270, shaun@evolvedself.com
March 9, 2008
ARTICLE: FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Would you cast your vote for an evolutionary scientist?
Of 149 evolutionary scientists, over three quarters
described themselves as physicalists, one in seven believed we have
no free will, according to the report of a study published in the July-August
2007 issue of American Scientist. Would someone who believed he didn't have free
will make a good president?
Imagine: Against all odds, an evolutionary scientist has been elected President of the
United States. It's Inauguration Day, and the President-Elect is being
adminstered the oath of office.
"Say after me 'I do solemnly swear (or you
can say affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the
United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend
the Constitution of the United States.'"
"I'm sorry. I can swear to do things
to the best of my ability, that's really a tautology, but I can't swear or
affirm I'll do anything faithfully. I'm determined. If it's determined that I'm
not going to be faithtful, there's nothing I can do about it."
"Well, what
would word would work for you in place of swear or affirm? Can you
promise?"
"No, I can't promise. That's just it, I'm determined so there's no
point in me promising anything. It either will be, or it won't."
"How about,
'Having been selected over the competition, I am probably the person most likely
to fittingly execute the office of President of the United States?'"
I like
that! If I can go ahead on that basis, the next four years should be a
breeze."
Would you want your daughter to marry an evolutionary
scientist?
Your daughter has announced she intends to marry an evolutionary scientist!
You wonder, how is your daughter to take her young man's statement that he loves
her? How seriously should she take his promise to love, honor, and cherish? Can
she trust the word of someone who doesn't think he has free will? Should she
stick up for her opinion in argument with someone who believes his opinions to
be determined?
OK, let's put our foot down. The young man must come meet us and account for
himself.
"You want to marry my daughter?" "Yes, I do. I love her."
"Will you stay
faithful to her?"
"Who's to know. I'm determined, there's nothing I can do
about it since it's determined whether I will or won't be faithful to
her."
"Well, do you intend to be faithful?"
'Yes, clearly it's determined
that I'll intend to be faithful, because I do, I do intend that."
"And you
love her?"
"Yes, I feel an instinctive passion for her."
"Just an
instinct? You're just chasing after her out of instinct?"
"Why not? What else
can love be?"
"Young man, I'm getting an inkling that it's determined that
I'm going to turn you down."
Would you buy a car from an evolutionary scientist?
"I
want to buy a car."
"That's what I'm here for. How about this one?"
'Is it
a good car, is it reliable?"
"Don't ask me. It's determined what I'll tell
you, so what's the point of you asking?"
Study in American Scientist was "Evolution, Religion and Free Will: The most
eminent evolutionary scientists have surprising views on how religion relates to
evolution," authors Gregory W. Graffin and William B. Provine.
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