On today's episode, enjoy the second half of a discussion between philosopher of science Dr. Steven Meyer and synthetic organic chemist Dr. James Tour about the origin of life and the explanatory power of intelligent design. The conversation, hosted by Peter Robinson, transitions from the "dead end" of current origin of life research to the crucial concept of information. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Look for Part 1 in a separate episode. We’re grateful to the producers of Uncommon Knowledge for permission to share this conversation here. Uncommon Knowledge is a production of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University. Source

How did life originate? Does Darwin’s theory of evolution have an answer for the origin of life? On this ID The Future, enjoy the first half of an insightful conversation between philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer and synthetic organic chemist Dr. James Tour as they unravel important issues around the origin of life. Dr. Tour is a professor at Rice University, renowned for his work in nanotechnology and his skepticism toward the current scientific models explaining the origin of life. Dr. Meyer is author of Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design. The pair are interviewed by Peter Robinson, host of Uncommon Knowledge. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode. Source

On this episode of ID the Future from the vault, biochemist and medical doctor Michael Denton continues his conversation with host Sarah Chaffee about his book Children of Light: The Astonishing Properties of Sunlight That Make Life Possible, part of his Privileged Species book series that also includes The Miracle of Man, The Miracle of the Cell, The Wonder of Water, and Fire-Maker. Here, Dr. Denton speaks of the properties of both light and water. From photosynthesis to metabolism to circulation, and even from plate tectonics to the hydrologic cycle, both have exactly what it takes — in “amazingly fortuitous” ways — to make complex organic life possible. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Source

How does AI stack up when it comes to accurately representing the theory of intelligent design? Today, host Andrew McDiarmid speaks with mathematician and philosopher Dr. William Dembski about the reliability and accuracy of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT and Bard, particularly concerning intelligent design. This second half of the conversation highlights the importance of independent verification when using AI, as LLMs can “hallucinate” or generate false or biased information. Dembski advises an approach of verify, then trust, turning the old Russian proverb on its head. McDiarmid and Dembski also explore the potential for AI to enhance human capabilities and education if used judiciously, rather than becoming a crutch that erodes critical thinking. But that will require that we Read More › Source

How accurately do AI models like ChatGPT, Grok, and Bard portray the theory of intelligent design? Can large language models rise above the biases of sources like Wikipedia to help level the playing field for intelligent design? Today, host Andrew McDiarmid begins a conversation with mathematician and philosopher Dr. William Dembski to address the relationship between AI and ID. In recent years, Dr. Dembski has been putting LLMs through their paces to see if they can accurately and fairly discuss and portray intelligent design arguments and concepts. Here, Dembski discusses what he discovered as he used various methods to interrogate these complex algorithms. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode. Source

On this episode of ID the Future from the archive, biochemist and medical doctor Michael Denton explores a “miraculous convergence of properties” for life. The topic is Denton's book Children of Light: The Astonishing Properties of Sunlight That Make Us Possible, part of his Privileged Species book series that also includes The Miracle of Man, The Miracle of the Cell, The Wonder of Water, and Fire-Maker. Here, Denton lets his astonishment flow freely in an interview with host Sarah Chaffee, with topics ranging from the light of the sun to key chemicals here on earth. "The atmosphere lets through just the light we need," says Denton, "and the sun puts out just the light we need. It's a remarkable coincidence...The atmosphere does just what is needed for life on earth." Taken together, it’s an astonishing array of evidence showing how finely tuned Earth is for human life. And the common-sense conclusion, Denton says, is that a designing intelligence is the most adequate explanation for the properties on our planet that make life like us possible. This is Part 1 of a two-part discussion. Source

Does intelligent design have a better answer for the origin of the universe and the origin of life than the standard neo-Darwinian explanation? Today, we’ll enjoy the second half of a conversation about the scientific theory of intelligent design with geologist and attorney Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife, chemistry teacher Kristin Marais. In Part 2, Casey and Kristin discuss why intelligent design can offer a more satisfying explanation for the origin of the universe than competing theories. Casey also reviews the evidence for the fine-tuning of the laws and constants of the universe to allow for life, and the argument for design evidenced in the natural world. Kristin provides more detail about an important resource offered at the Discovery Institute: her online high school chemistry course, and what students will get out of it. And if you have an interest in engaging in the debate over evolution and the origin of life and the universe, Kristin and Casey have tips and advice on what to study and how to foster dialogue on these important topics. Source

Is intelligent design a viable scientific theory? Why do some still insist on calling it pseudoscience? Maybe you’re wondering these things yourself, or have a friend, family member, or co-worker who has these types of questions. On this ID The Future, scientist and attorney Dr. Casey Luskin and his wife, chemistry teacher Kristin Marais, explain how a materialistic worldview causes many scientists and science communicators to lose the plot and forget what science is all about. This is the first half of a conversation with host Daniel Ray on the Apologetics Profile podcast. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode. Source

We are grieving the recent loss of Walter Bradley, a longtime Fellow of the Center for Science and Culture at Discovery Institute and namesake of the Institute’s Walter Bradley Center for Natural and Artificial Intelligence. Today, we bring you the second half of Robert J. Marks’s 2020 interview with Walter Bradley, co-author of the seminal 1984 intelligent design book The Mystery of Life’s Origin. In this half of the conversation, Bradley and Marks discuss the book’s first release, including the cultural context that made finding a non-religious publisher an uphill battle, and discussion of some of the endorsements and early reviews, including responses from distinguished scientists Robert Jastrow, Dean Kenyon, Robert Shapiro, and Fritz Schaefer. Bradley and Marks also discuss some scholars who more recently have testified to how the book, and Bradley, dramatically influenced their intellectual careers. Source

On this episode, host Andrew McDiarmid welcomes Dr. Stephen Iacoboni, an award-winning cancer researcher and medical oncologist with 40 years of experience, to discuss the undeniable element of purpose in all living things. The conversation dives deep into the question of whether this purpose can be explained purely by the physical world, or if it points to a source beyond nature and science. Dr. Iacoboni shares his unique reconciliation between faith and science, as explored in his latest book, Telos: The Scientific Basis for a Life of Purpose. He recounts his personal journey and profound divergence from the "mechanistic consensus" prevalent during his medical school years in the 1960s and 70s, which viewed organisms, including humans, as "biologic machines without souls, products of an unguided process." Source