Graduate School Colloquium Series titled 'Science, Religion, and Intelligent Design', a grand success

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — Recently a court in Dover , Pennsylvania , ruled against teaching of Intelligent Design as part of the Science curriculum. The judge ruled that Intelligent Design was a veiled attempt at disguising a religious doctrine known as Creationism as a Science. At approximately the same time, the state of Kansas decided to change the definition of Science in order to enable teaching of Intelligent Design in its high school science curriculum. Since then, the state of Ohio has reversed its decision to teach Intelligent Design in science classes.

As part of the Graduate Student Colloquia Series , the Stony Brook Graduate School brought together faculty and graduate students from different disciplines to explore the ontological and epistemological underpinnings of Intelligent Design in order to better understand the fundamental issues of this argument. Specifically, this was an attempt to address several questions: What is the definition of science? What is Intelligent Design? Ultimately, can Intelligent Design be a valid scientific theory?

Professor Robert Crease, of the Philosophy department at Stony Brook University presented a talk titled " Science, Theory, and Theology " which discussed the philosophical foundations of modern science. In his presentation "Is Intelligent Design science, philosophy, or what?”, Professor Massimo Pigliucci of the Department of Ecology and Evolution analyzed the ontological and epistemological foundations of Intelligent Design. He demonstrated that Intelligent Design does not fulfill the requirements of a scientific theory.

The symposium also addressed questions about the relationship of science and religion in society. Director of the Hillel Foundation for Jewish Life, Rabbi Joseph Topek presented a talk titled "Do Science and Religion Really Conflict ?" His conclusion, that the two institutions are best served by informing each other and that each one focuses on a different aspect of a person's life was very well received by the audience.

Following the presentations, an hour long interactive panel discussion between the presenters and the audience addressed a number of issues. One interesting topic discussed was the role of scientists in presenting and explaining scientific facts and theories to the public. Another topic discussed theistic views on evolution and science. Most participants in the colloquium felt that Intelligent Design was not a scientific theory but rather a religious view representing a fundamentalist minority that interpreted the bible literally. However, there was a great deal of support to the theistic approach stating that evolution does not negate a creator and does not require a literal translation of the bible.

The graduate school would like to thank the panelists and audience for their enthusiastic participation and insightful comments.