Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Toto · 06-09-2002, 09:05 PM

Actually, in beautiful downtown Burbank, as part of a weekend conference.

I wonder if anyone here has an opinion on whether this would be worth trying to get to.

<a href="http://www.csicop.org/events/conference-2002/schedule.html" target="_blank">Schedule of events for Fourth World Skeptics Conference</a>

Friday, June 21
Registration 7:30-9:00 am

Evolution and Intelligent Design 9:00 am-12:00 pm

Massimo Pigliucci, Moderator, Associate Professor of botany at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville

William Dembski, Associate research professor in the conceptual foundations of science at Baylor University and a senior fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture

Wesley Elsberry is a graduate student at Texas A&M University researching biosonar sound production and bioenergetics in bottlenose dolphins.

Kenneth Miller, Professor of biology at Brown University

Paul Nelson, Editor of the journal Origins & Design

Quetzal · 06-10-2002, 12:33 AM

Toto: If I had the time, I'd fly all the way back from Ukraine - halfway around the world - to see that. They're going to shred him into itty bitty pieces. Elsberry AND Miller, moderated by Pugliucci? There's gonna be blood on the sand. I hope they publish a transcript.!!!

Go by all means. I'm absolutely green with envy.

Daydreamer · 06-10-2002, 12:46 AM

I agree - that would be one hell of a show. I'd be there myself if I had the funds and the means.

Secular Pinoy · 06-10-2002, 03:06 AM

Is there any philosopher or mathematician challenging Dembski? While I have full confidence for both Miller's and Elseberry's ability to in defending biological evolution, I think Dembski's arguments are more of a philosophical bent. (Though Elsberry might be able to handle that too, seeing as he has been challenging Dembski's work for quite a while.) I'm not so sure about Miller, since he did not challenge Dembski's version of Creationism in his book. Maybe Pennock is a better debate opponent for Dembski.

Dembski's debate tactic is similar to William Craig, try to use the audience's ignorance of technical matters to "win" debating points. Which makes me fully confident that he will lose miserably in a conference full of learned people of science.

I hope to read about the outcome of the debate (and the conference in general) as soon as it finishes. Or I'll just wait for the Skeptical Inquirer issue, which could take months.

And, wow! Massimo Pigliucci as moderator! Hehehe, he should be part of the debate team as well, IMO (See Pigliucci vs Wells).

Toto · 06-10-2002, 09:12 AM

If this is like other Paul Kurtz events, there will be an audio tape for sale by the next day, if not that afternoon. I'll keep you posted.

06-09-2002, 09:05 PM	#1
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	Dembski to speak at CSICOP conference in Los Angeles Actually, in beautiful downtown Burbank, as part of a weekend conference. I wonder if anyone here has an opinion on whether this would be worth trying to get to. <a href="http://www.csicop.org/events/conference-2002/schedule.html" target="_blank">Schedule of events for Fourth World Skeptics Conference</a> Friday, June 21 Registration 7:30-9:00 am Evolution and Intelligent Design 9:00 am-12:00 pm Massimo Pigliucci, Moderator, Associate Professor of botany at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville William Dembski, Associate research professor in the conceptual foundations of science at Baylor University and a senior fellow with Discovery Institute's Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture Wesley Elsberry is a graduate student at Texas A&M University researching biosonar sound production and bioenergetics in bottlenose dolphins. Kenneth Miller, Professor of biology at Brown University Paul Nelson, Editor of the journal Origins & Design

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06-10-2002, 12:33 AM	#2
Quetzal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Ecuador Posts: 738	Toto: If I had the time, I'd fly all the way back from Ukraine - halfway around the world - to see that. They're going to shred him into itty bitty pieces. Elsberry AND Miller, moderated by Pugliucci? There's gonna be blood on the sand. I hope they publish a transcript.!!! Go by all means. I'm absolutely green with envy.

06-10-2002, 12:46 AM	#3
Daydreamer Regular Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 221	I agree - that would be one hell of a show. I'd be there myself if I had the funds and the means.

06-10-2002, 03:06 AM	#4
Secular Pinoy Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Quezon City, Philippines Posts: 1,994	Is there any philosopher or mathematician challenging Dembski? While I have full confidence for both Miller's and Elseberry's ability to in defending biological evolution, I think Dembski's arguments are more of a philosophical bent. (Though Elsberry might be able to handle that too, seeing as he has been challenging Dembski's work for quite a while.) I'm not so sure about Miller, since he did not challenge Dembski's version of Creationism in his book. Maybe Pennock is a better debate opponent for Dembski. Dembski's debate tactic is similar to William Craig, try to use the audience's ignorance of technical matters to "win" debating points. Which makes me fully confident that he will lose miserably in a conference full of learned people of science. I hope to read about the outcome of the debate (and the conference in general) as soon as it finishes. Or I'll just wait for the Skeptical Inquirer issue, which could take months. And, wow! Massimo Pigliucci as moderator! Hehehe, he should be part of the debate team as well, IMO (See Pigliucci vs Wells).

06-10-2002, 09:12 AM	#5
Toto Contributor Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Los Angeles area Posts: 40,549	If this is like other Paul Kurtz events, there will be an audio tape for sale by the next day, if not that afternoon. I'll keep you posted.

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