Stephen Meyer: Do Miracles Violate the Laws of Physics?
Dec 18, 2024
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In a thought-provoking discussion, Stephen Meyer, a philosopher of science and an expert on intelligent design, argues against the coherence of theistic evolution, challenging its reliance on a faltering theory. He presents a compelling case for the nature of miracles, suggesting they reflect conscious agency without contravening physical laws. Meyer critiques David Hume’s stance on miracles, leading to intriguing insights about the interplay between faith and science, and the implications of intelligent design compared to Darwinian explanations.
Dr. Stephen Meyer critiques theistic evolution as incoherent, arguing that it fails to properly integrate scientific and theological principles.
Meyer defends the rationality of miracles, claiming they represent the conscious action of God rather than violations of natural laws.
Deep dives
Challenges of Theistic Evolution
Theistic evolution, which posits that God utilized the evolutionary process to create life, faces significant scrutiny. According to Dr. Stephen Meyer, this perspective is fundamentally incoherent due to scientific, philosophical, and theological issues. He challenges the idea that a mechanism like natural selection—which he claims lacks creative power—can be harmonized with theistic beliefs, suggesting that attempting to reconcile a failing theory with faith is misguided. Additionally, he argues that theistic evolution undermines the essential role of God as a guiding force, reducing the concept of God to a mere rhetorical addition within scientific discourse.
The Nature of Miracles
Dr. Meyer presents a compelling defense of miracles, countering David Hume's skepticism regarding their possibility. Rather than viewing miracles as violations of the laws of nature, he suggests they can be interpreted as distinct actions attributable to a conscious agent. He posits that laws of nature describe regular patterns but do not exclude the possibility of outside interference that can produce unexpected results. By arguing that miracles signify the independent action of God within a closed system, he asserts that belief in a divine agency is not only rational but scientifically viable.
A Call for Cultural Reawakening
Dr. Meyer emphasizes a growing crisis within contemporary society linked to a decline in belief in God and the resulting moral framework. He observes rising issues such as violence, mental health struggles, and societal dysfunction, which he correlates with the erosion of intrinsic dignity and the concept of rights rooted in theism. He argues that a return to faith and acknowledgment of a divine creator is essential for addressing these challenges and restoring meaning to human existence. Through his work and advocacy, he hopes to inspire a cultural renaissance based on theistic values that provide hope for the future.
On this episode of ID The Future, philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer concludes his conversation with Praxis Circle’s Doug Monroe. In this last section of a multi-part interview, Dr. Meyer explains why theistic evolution – the belief that God used the evolutionary process to create – is an incoherent position to take on the origin and development of life. There’s no need, Meyer says, to attempt to reconcile theistic belief with a dying theory. Meyer also discusses the topic of miracles. He thinks David Hume’s argument against miracles is weak and goes on to explain how miracles demonstrate the independent action of a conscious agent and why they don’t violate the laws of physics. It’s an intriguing conclusion to a wide-ranging conversation.