Probability's Nature and Nature's Probability : A Call to Scientific Integrity - Softcover

Dr Donald E. Johnson

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1439228620 ISBN 13: 9781439228623

Publisher: BookSurge Publishing, 2010

Synopsis

Update of Mar, 2009 original. The author once believed anyone not accepting the "proven" scenarios for chemical and biological evolution that were ingrained during his science education had the same mentality as someone believing in a flat earth. With continued scientific investigation, paying closer attention to actual data (rather than speculative conclusions), he began to doubt the natural explanations that had been so ingrained in a number of key areas including the origin and fine-tuning of mass and energy, the origin of life with its complex functional information, and the increase in functional complexity in living organisms. It was science, and not religion, that caused his disbelief in the explanatory powers of undirected nature using scientific-sounding concepts that in fact have no known scientific basis. Scientific integrity needs to be restored so that ideas that have no methods to test or falsify are not considered part of science. Too often "possible" is used by scientists without considering that "possible" has a scientific definition within the nature of probability. For example, one should not be able to get away with stating "it is possible that life arose from non-life by ..." or "it's possible that a different form of life exists elsewhere in the Universe" without first demonstrating that it is indeed possible (non-zero probability) using known science. This book reviews the many prevalent scenarios that are widely accepted, but need closer examination of their scientific validity. It will also examine the scientific validity of Intelligent Design (ID) as a model that can be empirically detected and examined. For example, the book uses known science (including Shannon, functional, and prescriptive information principles) to prove that it is impossible (zero probability) for life's complex information system, with thousands of interacting computers in each cell, to have an undirected natural source. The usefulness of the ID model for furthering scientific inquiry is also analyzed. One chapter is devoted to exposing fallacies, presuppositions, and beliefs that attempt to prevent acceptance of ID as "science."

About this title

From the Author

The original 2009 book was updated in November 2010 to include most of the material in my newest book, "Programming of Life," as well as new discoveries since originally written (over 50 references from 2010).  Since a "Lite" version of this book is available, no attempt was made to make this version easily understood by people without a strong science background.  See scienceintegrity.org for more information on all three books, including reviews and excerpts.  None of the books take a particular philosophical or theological stance on the science that is empirically observable since any such stance would fall outside empirical science.  The author welcomes scientific criticism and notification of any errors, but criticism based on a philosophical stance will not be considered of value.

About the Author

Earned Ph.D.s in both Computer & Information Sciences and Chemistry. Senior research scientist for 10 years in pharmaceutical and medical/scientific instrument fields. Served as president and technical expert in an independent computer consulting firm for many years. Taught 20 years in universities in the US and Europe. Maintains "scienceintegrity.org" site.

Edition details

• Publisher: BookSurge Publishing
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1439228620
• ISBN 13: 9781439228623
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 132