At 8:13 AM -0600 3/25/02, Rod Hetzel wrote: >I wonder, though, if supernatural and natural forces are mutually >exclusive or if both could coexist. When I see lightning, I don't assume >that some God up in the clouds is expressing his anger. I recognize and >understand the various physical laws that govern meteorological >phenomonenon. In other words, I know lighting is caused by a natural >force. That explanation doesn't negate, however, the possibility that a >higher supernatural force created (and I'm not using the term "created" in >a creationism sense) these natural forces. But again, this to me is a >theological issue and not something that belongs in a science classroom.
The problem is one of scientific method. Once you posit that supernatural (by definition beyond the predictability of natural laws) forces can be at work in the present work, how can you experimentally separate the effects of the natural from the supernatural? You're positing a 'wildcard' variable that can always (by definition) provide an alternative explanation to that of any experimental variable. The only solution is to push the supernatural all the way back and take a Deistic approach -- God created the laws of nature, but has done nothing since. Any deviation from this assumption raises the above problems. No miracles allowed! * PAUL K. BRANDON [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * Psychology Dept Minnesota State University, Mankato * * 23 Armstrong Hall, Mankato, MN 56001 ph 507-389-6217 * * http://www.mankato.msus.edu/dept/psych/welcome.html * --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
