Damning Criticism

Abstract

Evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design are often portrayed as being diametrically opposed. However, events in the history of science demonstrate that theological criticisms of science have at times served to put science onto a productive path. Drawing on historical accounts of the 1277 Parisian condemnations of Aristotelian physics and Paracelsian chemical and medical philosophy, it is argued that theological criticism of science may be beneficial for science if such criticisms can be incorporated within a naturalistic framework. This insight is used to interpret the relationship between intelligent design and evolutionary theory. It is argued that intelligent design has made a positive contribution to evolutionary theory, and that it is possible, and indeed likely, that it may make such a contribution again in the future.