[MD] Intelligent Design

[Steven Peterson]

Hi Platt,


Platt:
> Sorry, I don't follow your argument. You say purpose is something that goes
> on
> within the universe. Is not what goes on within the universe (life) also
> part
> of the universe? And if a part, is it not correct to say the universe
> exhibits
> purpose?
>
> IMO purpose doesn't have to stand outside the universe for us to say the
> universe is purposeful. To deny the universe is purposeful is a self-
> contradictory because the denial itself presupposes purpose in making the
> denial.

Steve:
The is no doubt that I have a purpose in denying that the universe has
a purpose or rather in denying that "does the universe have a
purpose?" is a well-formulated question. If you want to say that "the
universe has a purpose" follows from the fact that things in the
universe have lots and lots of purposes...well, if that's all you
mean, you won't find any disagreement anywhere.


Platt:
> Certainly the MOQ posits universal purpose -- towards betterness.

Steve:
But what is the purpose of purpose, what is the purpose of betterness?

I think questions of purpose dissolves when you stop looking for THEE
purpose and recognize that everything have lots and lots of purposes.

Best,
Steve