On November 30, 2009, Stephen Meyer & Richard Sternberg debated Donald Prothero & Michael Shermer on the topic: Has Evolutionary Theory Adequately Explained the Origins of Life? Read about the debate here, at the American Freedom Alliance website. (original audio page here)Robert Crowther's recap is here. Michael Shermer's recap is here.
Full MP3 Audio here. (2 hours)
Enjoy.
By the way, Stephen Meyer's phenomenal book, Signature in the Cell, is here.
8 comments :
First!
I am appalled that this was posted at 8:00 AM instead of at 7:30 AM.
I linked to some previous Meyer/Shermer debates (on video!) here:
http://winteryknight.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/audio-from-the-meyer-sternberg-vs-shermer-prothero-debate/
Awesome! So glad this is available and can't wait to hear it!
Thanks for the writeup, Ranger. Robert Crowther has more feedback here as well.
I think it was Shermer who gave a bunch of examples of scientists creating amino acids and manipulating genetics and saying how easy it is. Isn't this, however, contradicting his own view of naturalism, since it is intelligent agents performing these experiments and causing these things to appear/happen?
To be honest, i think the only guy who tried to stay on topic was Prothero (assuming the topic was restricte to the OOL). On the other hand the guy is extremely arrogant.
Thankfully, he got lectured by Meyer and Sternberg rebuttals, which must have been a huge blow to his ego.
Michael Shermer was being a complete fool in this debate. He wasted so much time attacking ID theory when the debate had nothing to do with it! The debate question was:
Has Evolutionary Theory Adequately Explained the Origins of Life?
Even if we were to grant, for the sake of argument, that ID theory is nonsense, the question of the debate remains unanswered! There could still be problems internal to current E theory which need addressing, even if there is no design!
While I am extremely cautious with proponents of ID, I have to take my hat off to its two speakers against the motion when compared to the irrelevant arguments and straw manning from their opponents.
Sternberg and Meyer could have had a debate between themselves, they certainly hold contrary views. I admire them for their valiant but uncoordinated defense. They both did their best to avoid denying evolution while at the same time trying to poke holes in it. Prothero thew so much at them they could do little but pick off the mud and confuse the issue. Sternberg and Meyers should debate Behe and Dembsky for some real hot action.
woww!! this is very fascinating debate.. But seriously, Prothero & Shermer, looks like they had a lot of pre-planing to attack Dr. Mayer.
Thanks lot for Sharing this, Brian.
Achu
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