 |
The Judo Argument | Ebook edition cover. © Fadew, Inc. all rights reserved |
A common argument notes that complex life could not have evolved randomly, as entropy dictates decay toward disorder. Thus, intentional intelligent design must be involved. However, Earth isn’t a closed system – the Sun provides ample energy for local organizing processes to emerge so long as net universal entropy increases. Another argues that amino acids forming the first proteins randomly would be astronomically unlikely. However, while a precise protein repeating by chance is unlikely, some self-replicating molecule arising eventually becomes probable - and selection could amplify it.
The Ontological Argument: Defining God Into Being
One of the earliest scientific arguments for God's existence is the "ontological argument" put forward by St. Anselm in 1078. His reasoning goes that the very concept of a perfect being implies its existence since non-existence would be an imperfection. This argument attempts to define God into existence through logic, without the need for evidence. While inventive for its time, modern philosophers largely reject it as unsupported semantic trickery. As sci-fi author Asimov notes with humor in his essay titled “The Judo Argument,” conceiving even a “perfect gas” does not necessitate its physical existence in reality.
Thermodynamics and the Improbability of Order
A more common judo argument invokes the second law of thermodynamics, which holds that entropy or disorder universally tends to increase in closed systems. The case goes that evolution's drive towards greater order and complexity over billions of years appears to violate this. Thus, intentional intelligent design must be involved to circumvent random decay. However, Asimov adeptly counters that Earth isn’t a closed system – the Sun provides ample incoming energy to facilitate local organizing processes so long as net entropy increases in the larger solar system. Just as a refrigerator can stay cold inside by releasing more heat to its surroundings, life can self-organize additional order so long as there is an external energy gradient to exploit.
Probability Calculations and the Origins of Life
In his 1947 book "Human Destiny," French biophysicist Pierre Lecomte du Noüy calculates the absurdly low probability that the amino acid chains forming the first proteins could have been linked by pure chance random interactions within the lifetime of Earth. He presents this tiny probability as persuasive evidence for intentional divine design seeding life. Asimov admits the odds of randomly hitting on an exact known protein are infinitesimal. However, his rebuttal shows that while likely amino acid combinations are still insufficient to spark replication, some variability remains probable. Thus, once any self-copying molecule like RNA eventually forms by chance, mutation, and selection can take over to bridge the gap from chemistry to evolutionary biology. This incremental bootstrapping pathway is now supported by decades of origin of life experiments, rather than necessitating one impossibly unlikely jackpot molecule.
Order Emerging Spontaneously from Chaos
While Asimov stops short of any definitive statements on God’s existence either way, his systematic take-downs of such arguments rooted in shaky logic demonstrate the awesome power of emergent order possible from chaotic physical and chemical laws alone. Contrary to Creationist doctrine, complexity does not imply an intelligent Creator. In Asimov’s model grounded by evidence, life proliferates not despite, but precisely because of, the organizational trends intrinsic to dynamic non-equilibrium thermodynamic systems with sufficient energy flows. Those seeking an honest assessment of how far science can go in engaging with faith will find “The Judo Argument” a thought-provoking and enlightening read. More broadly, it highlights the wonder, chance, and self-organization built into nature that allowed humankind to eventually emerge and ponder such eternal questions - no deities required.
The March of Science Towards Natural Explanations
Over the centuries, phenomena once cited definitively as proof of divine influence - from lightning to human origins to disease treatment - have consistently yielded to natural scientific explanations rather than legitimizing supernatural ones. While gaps remain in our knowledge, the march towards material and empirical causes continues unabated. Those hoping science will reach its limits and endorse intentional explanations are invariably disappointed. Today mysteries like consciousness, dark matter, and the spark of life draw those seeking transcendence for what science has yet to explain. But theories are already emerging of these grounded in complex feedback loops, exotic particles, and energetic chemistry alone, without any need for external souls, creators, or vital energies.
Can Science and Religion Ever Be Reconciled?
While judo arguments fail to leverage science to demonstrate the intent behind life’s emergence, the impasse between scientific and spiritual worldviews persists. They operate in separate spheres concerning very different kinds of questions - the mechanical how versus the numinous why. Asimov gives reason for optimism by engaging deeply with the science cited rather than dismissing it outright, respecting religious conviction even while disputing faulty logic. In that spirit of mutual respect for evidence and belief, the relationship between science and philosophy might finally leave behind centuries of tension. Just as interdisciplinary research unifies micro and macro fields, more grace-filled profound dialogues between leading thinkers pursuing different facets of truth may continue to relieve friction and enlighten humankind.
The Judo Argument: Wrestling with Science and Faith
In his thought-provoking book "The Judo Argument," author Shoaib Rahman examines several longstanding attempts to use science to definitively prove the existence of God. He dubbed these "judo arguments" - when believers try to flip science's logic against itself to argue for supernatural explanations from a rational perspective.
Order Emerging from Chaos
Many such arguments hinge on the claim that complex structures like the human eye could not have evolved randomly or that the spark of life itself beating the odds is too improbable without guidance. However, as Rahman points out, the second law of thermodynamics only probabilistically favors increased entropy rather than strictly mandating it. With ample external energy sources like the Sun, locally reversing entropy through organizing processes that ultimately enable life is not unlikely over billions of years.
Probability Statistics Misapplied
In perhaps the book's most compelling chapter, Rahman unpacks the fallacies in prominent creationist probability calculations. While authorities cite the infinitesimal chances of proteins or DNA chains forming exactly as they exist today spontaneously, he notes this is the wrong comparison. The first self-replicating molecules would likely be far simpler, adapting later by evolutionary processes. Moreover, while any given outcome is very unlikely, some outcome proving viable is still probable - especially with chemical building blocks already extant.
When Statistics Fail Philosophy
Yet at its heart, Rahmansympathetically explains these arguments stem from cognitive gaps left unsatisfied by reductionist science. Statistical improbabilities argued as necessitating guidance disguise deeper existential grappling. But just as dividing accident from intent may provide comfort, 'God' often inserts higher questions rather than answers. Neither statistics nor semantics can capture the whole of reality. By revealing judo arguments' overreliance on these tools, Rahman shows how they fail philosophy before even reaching faulty science.
A Reasonable Path Forward
While cataloging gaps in past efforts, Rahman notably stops short of conclusively disproving God, remaining open to new evidence. He simply shows the folly of attempting proof, either way, advocating humility. Within those wise constraints, his dismantling of shaky logic sympathetic to the motivations provides a blueprint for more constructive dialogues between science and faith. For non-believers, it unpacks assumptions reflecting existential angst. For believers, it respects faith's convictions while avoiding easily falsifiable scientific extrapolations in tension with theology's teachings.
By showcasing judo arguments' inadequacies with both evidence and meaning, Rahman's "The Judo Argument" charts a reasonable path forward for reconciling the compatibility questions haunting science and religion’s conflicted past. Perhaps their interplay can yet offer mutual illumination of both immanent and transcendent mysteries. But crudely wielding each against the other proves nothing, clarifies little, misses the point entirely, and impoverishes all parties. This book provides helpful guideposts to move that stalled conversation into more enlightened territory.
Tom Buck
Bio
Tom Buck resides in Darwin, Australia, and attended Casuarina Senior College. Studied literature at Charles Darwin University as his undergrad. He is currently pursuing a master's in philosophy of religion through correspondence courses.