Does astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson now favour "intelligent design"?

1. 74

   Oztinatoposted 7 years ago

   Does astrophysicist Neil Degrasse Tyson now favour "intelligent design"?
   
   Has noted (former?) atheist astrophysicist Degrasse Tyson now joined the growing ranks of  atheist scientists who are hedging their bets that the universe is a kind of "simulation" created by a superior God like intelligence.
   Isn't it time more atheists admitted this new rapidly growing trend by science?
   
   

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2. 71

   Titen-Sxullposted 7 years ago

   I have yet to hear Tyson claim to believe that the Universe is an intelligently designed simulation. Perhaps he claims this as a possibility. But then most atheists readily admit the possibility that they are wrong and that there may be some sort of higher power out there. A proper skeptic apportions his beliefs to the evidence but unfortunately, as you and I both know, not all atheists are proper skeptics.
   
   There is nothing that prevents atheists or skeptics or anyone else from speculation and exploring new ideas. Atheism has no dogma and atheists are under no obligation to remain atheists. You seem to enjoy impugning atheists as if they are under some obligation to their own atheism, this is not the case.
   
   As for the hypothesis that the Universe is a Simulation I don't see how  exploring this idea is tantamount to admitting there is a God unless your conception of God is a neck-bearded programmer covered in cheese curl dust. Even if we were to assume that the Universe is definitely a Simulation that tells us nothing about whether life was designed or on what level the rules are defined.
   
   For example the Universe might be a Simulation designed to play itself out without any interference from the designers. They could be sitting in a lab observing the emergent properties of this Universe, many of which might well be more interesting than this little backwater planet we call home. Such a designer fits in well with a deistic God, but not the personal deity of the great monotheistic religions.
   
   But again, atheists are not forbidden from discussing such things and even if someone like Tyson did accept the Simulation hypothesis that doesn't mean he believes in God. The leap from "the Universe appears designed" to "the Designer MUST be the personal God that I believe in" has always been one of the gaps apologists cannot bridge.
   
   Again when the creators of your Universe might well just be a bunch of eggheads in another Universe letting a sim play out on their computer there's no reason, other than superstition, to call them God.

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      randslamposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I'm with Titen, above. If there were a god...who is the genius to claim the idea?
      
      As for Jesus, or God...give me a break. There is a thread that would indicate that we are all connected to the universe, however, this is more a proof for Star Wars.

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   2. 74

      Oztinatoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      People's or religions various ideas about who or what the ultimate programmer is are based on cultural differences. Including science culture. It's a God concept similar to certain early star trek episodes. It's just a version of intelligent design.

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   3. 71

      Titen-Sxullposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      I agree that it would be a form of intelligent design but not necessarily a God. God is an ill-defined and superstitious label. And again human beings could still be the side-effect of emergent processes, even in a "designed" simulated universe.

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   4. 74

      Oztinatoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      The devil is in the detail as they say.
      The basic principle is similar ie a higher power created the universe.

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3. 61

   fpherj48posted 7 years ago

   It's highly doubtful, Oz.  However, as Titen mentions, many brilliant astrophysicists may on rare occasions respond to a Question in an open forum, on this particular topic but only in terms of admitting remote possibilities.
   I have read many of his works and sat in the front row of several of his speaking engagements. He's someone I admire and I am engrossed in his work.  He is appearing (in Nov. I believe) again in my area and I will be there.
   I'll be glad to report back here, should he have anything at all to say to his audience with regard to your question.

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   1. 74

      Oztinatoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Thanks.
      Many other scientists are now admitting a greater likelihood of intelligent design concepts. The maths is looking like it has planned intent. God concepts are evolving.  Right wing religions aside, others are similar to scientific ideas.

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4. 83

   gmwilliamsposted 7 years ago

   
   
   Dr. Tyson has self-identified himself as an agnostic, not an atheist.  He still propounds scientific conclusions regarding the universe.  He has never indicated that the universe was the result of intelligent design.  He has always concluded that there is a scientific cause & effect regarding the systems in the universe.   There are very few astrophysicists who maintain that "a universal intelligence" created the universe.  They believe that there is a scientific reason why the universe came into being.

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   1. 61

      fpherj48posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, you're absolutely correct on this Grace.  He has made it a point to express that he is "agnostic.."....never has he referred to himself as Atheist.  Thanks for reminding of this, girlfriend.

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   2. 74

      Oztinatoposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Yes of course he is honest enough to describe himself correctly as agnostic. This is my beef with many online so called "atheists " who, in all honesty, are agnostics. Why deny it to oneself? It should be embraced.

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   3. 83

      gmwilliamsposted 7 years agoin reply to this

      @Paula, you're welcome indeed.  Dr. Tyson is a fascinating man & love his synopsis on the universe.

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   4. 61

      fpherj48posted 7 years agoin reply to this

      Grace....and by the way, it doesn't get past me that he's also tall, dark, handsome & sexy with a smile that lights up a room!  Woo Hoo!!  LOL
      Hey, I'm old...not dead yet!

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