G.J. de Ridder

The Epistemic Status of Evolutionary Theory

ABSTRACT The theory of evolution continues to be a bone of contention among certain groups of theistic believers. This paper aims to bring some light to the debate about it, by introducing a framework for epistemic appraisal which can provide a realistic and sober assessment of the epistemic credentials of the various parts of evolutionary theory. The upshot is a more nuanced epistemic appraisal of the theory of evolution, which shows that there are significant differences in epistemic standing between its various parts. Any serious conversation about the theory of evolution ought to reflect these facts.

Introduction to the Philosophy of Creation Order, with Special Emphasis on the Philosophy of Herman Dooyeweerd

In this introductory chapter, we provide some background to the main theme of these two volumes, to wit, creation order. We start with a quick historical sketch of how the traditional connection between the experienced orderliness of the world around us and the will of a divine Creator came under pressure as a result of various philosophical and scientific developments. We also show how scholars from Christian and other religious traditions responded in different ways to these developments. Next, we offer a brief overview of some key themes from the work of the Dutch philosopher Herman Dooyeweerd. We believe that his thought offers insights that can profitably be used to advance the contemporary discussion on creation order, as is evidenced by a number of contributions to these two volumes. The chapter closes with a brief overview of what can be expected in the chapters that follow.

The Future of Creation Order: Vol. 1, Philosophical, Scientific, and Religious Perspectives on Order and Emergence

This work provides an overview of attempts to assess the current condition of the concept of creation order within reformational philosophy compared to other perspectives. Focusing on the natural and life sciences, and theology, this first volume of two examines the arguments for and against the beauty, coherence and order shown in the natural world being related to the will or nature of a Creator. It examines the decay of a Deist universe, and the idea of the pre-givenness of norms, laws and structures as challenged by evolutionary theory and social philosophy. It describes the different responses to the collapse of order: that given by Christian philosophy scholars who still argue for the idea of a pre-given world order, and that of other scholars who see this idea of stable creation order and/or natural law as redundant and in need of a thorough rethinking. It studies the particular role that reformational philosophy has played in the discussion. It shows how, ever since its inception, almost a century ago, the concepts of order and law (principle, structure) have been at the heart of this philosophy, and that one way to characterise this tradition is as a philosophy of creation order. Reformational philosophers have maintained the notion of law as ‘holding’ for reality. This book discusses the questions that have arisen about the nature of such law: is it a religious or philosophical concept; does law just mean ‘orderliness’? How does it relate to laws of nature? Have they always existed or do they ‘emerge’ during the process of evolution?

Design Hypotheses Behave Like Skeptical Hypotheses (Or: Why We Cannot Know that Design Hypotheses Are False)

It is often claimed that, as a result of scientific progress, we now know that the natural world displays no design. Although we have no interest in defending design hypotheses, we will argue that establishing claims to the effect that we know the denials of design hypotheses is more difficult than it seems. We do so by issuing two skeptical challenges to design-deniers. The first challenge draws inspiration from radical skepticism and shows how design claims are at least as compelling as radical skeptical scenarios in undermining knowledge claims, and in fact probably more so. The second challenge takes its cue from skeptical theism and shows how we are typically not in an epistemic position to rule out design.

Een Scotistisch argument voor dualisme

In his recent book Waar geest is, is vrijheid [Where there is mind, there is freedom], Guus Labooy sets forth an original and intriguing argument, inspired by the work of John Duns Scotus, for substance dualism in the philosophy of mind. In this paper we argue that his argument, although worthy of serious attention, is under-supported. In section 2 we question the significance of the particular scotistic notion of freedom he uses in his argument, even though we agree with his premise that humans do possess freedom in the libertarian sense. In section 3 we argue that Labooy fails to make his key contention that significant freedom requires an irreducible immaterial soul sufficiently plausible. The key problem is that he does not consider the work of physicalists who also believe in libertarian freedom. In addition, it is not self-evident that an immaterial soul, as opposed to a physical body, can possess significant freedom. This requires argument. In section 4 we comment on Labooy’s specific conception of dualism and advise him to change it into a conception in which the soul — and not the composition of soul and body — is the human person, for the latter conception has absurd consequences.

Review of Bradley Monton, Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design [Review of: (2009) Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design]

Book Reviews Jacob Klapwijk, Purpose in the living world? (R. Clouser) Bradley Monton, Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design (J. de Ridder) Alvin Plantinga and Michael Tooley, Knowledge of God (J. de Ridder) Nicholas Wolterstorff, Justice: Rights and Wrongs (A. Soeteman)

Review of Alvin Plantinga & Michael Tooley, Knowledge of God [Review of: (2008) Knowledge of God]

Book Reviews Jacob Klapwijk, Purpose in the living world? (R. Clouser) Bradley Monton, Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design (J. de Ridder) Alvin Plantinga and Michael Tooley, Knowledge of God (J. de Ridder) Nicholas Wolterstorff, Justice: Rights and Wrongs (A. Soeteman)

Review of Jonathan Kvanvig (ed.), Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion, Volume I [Review of: J.L. Kvanvig (2008) Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion, Volume I]

Abraham P. Bos and Rein Ferwerda, Aristotle, On the Life-Bearing Spirit (De Spiritu). A Discussion with Plato and his Predecessors on Pneuma as the Instrumental Body of the Soul (G. Groenewoud) Linda Trinkaus Zagzebski, The Philosophy of Religion: An Historical Introduction (A. Vroom) Jonathan L. Kvanvig (ed.), Oxford Studies in Philosophy of Religion (J. de Ridder) Lambert Zuidervaart, Social Philosophy after Adorno (R. Hayward)