What did noted evolutionist Richard Lewontin mean?

Question

when he wrote "many scientists are willing to accept scientific claims that are against common sense because we have a prior commitment to materialism?" What did he mean when he went further and wrote "we cannot allow a Divine foot in the door?"

These statements prove that Darwinists and their ilk cannot have a naturalistic presupposition. Anyone that has done their homework knows that the evidence disproves macro-evolution. Scientists are abandoning Darwinian evolution in droves, but must find another naturalistic theory, although the evidence reveals a Designer.

These statements prove that Darwinists and their ilk cannot have a naturalistic presupposition. Anyone that has done their homework knows that the evidence disproves macro-evolution. Scientists are abandoning Darwinian evolution in droves, but must find another naturalistic theory, although the evidence reveals a Designer.

Answer 1

I think it's pretty obvious what he's saying. There is a tremendous amount of scientific evidence refuting evolution,and evolutionist scientists are completely ignoring that evidence,even though their common sense tells them otherwise. Why? Because they can't admit it when they're wrong,for one. But the main reason is because evolutionists don't want to believe in a Divine Being,and any proof there may be that points to a Divine Being as the Creator of all living things must be quickly and efficiently "pushed under the rug",so to speak.
They can't hide the truth forever,because the truth always manages to make itself known in due time.

Answer 2

They mean that "common sense' is often painfully wrong. Just check out some of the scientific urban legends: http://snopes.com/science/science.asp

As for allowing a "divine foot in the door", he is referring to the fact that science is rooted in the observable, testable, material world. If you let magic (aka: God) be an acceptable explanation for anything, all further inquiry is ended. "Goddidit, and that's all you need to know." No further effort to determine how a thing happens or works is nessecary.

"Goddidit" may be a happy answer for theologans and religionists, but it gets no useful results in the real world. If we had accepted "Goddidit", the Rennisance would never have happened and we would still be in the Dark Ages.

Answer 3

As I recall, he was attacking some of the claims of genetic determinism in sociobiology for the first quote. I think the second quote is from an unrelated source, and was a strong critique against "Scientific" Creationism.

It is in very poor taste to take unrelated quotes without providing the sources. Thanks to your obfuscation, poor Lexie, so eager to jump to a conclusion unsupported by the facts, is caught in a rather poor lie.

Answer 4

It means they can't let their faith interfer with the outcome. Well say chocolate is brown or white. Nows let say in your faith u say chocolate is actually blue. U can see that chocolate is brown or white and all test performed proves that is brown or white. U can't still agrue it because u believe it in ur faith, when the evidence is not there to support it.

Answer 5

He meant that ALL scientific proof must be attained through UNBIASED and TRUE Facts.
They can not let religious beliefs interfere with the testing or the outcome .

Answer 6

It sounds like his intent is to not allow the door to open in believing in a higher power than himself. Maybe he likes people to worship his work instead.

Answer 7

He meant it was all a pack of lies and he does dot wish for anyone to open the can of worms

Answer 8

That means that he knows if anybody turns to Christ they will understand that evoulution is made up .