The Design Inference

Eliminating Chance through Small Probabilities

William A. Dembski, Brian Skyrms, Ernest W. Adams , Ken Binmore

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English

Cambridge University Press
20 March 2006

Humanities; Philosophy: logic; Mathematics & Sciences

Series: Cambridge Studies in Probability, Induction and Decision Theory

The design inference uncovers intelligent causes by isolating their key trademark: specified events of small probability. Just about anything that happens is highly improbable, but when a highly improbable event is also specified (i.e. conforms to an independently given pattern) undirected natural causes lose their explanatory power. Design inferences can be found in a range of scientific pursuits from forensic science to research into the origins of life to the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. This challenging and provocative 1998 book shows how incomplete undirected causes are for science and breathes new life into classical design arguments. It will be read with particular interest by philosophers of science and religion, other philosophers concerned with epistemology and logic, probability and complexity theorists, and statisticians.

By: William A. Dembski
Series edited by: Brian Skyrms, Ernest W. Adams, Ken Binmore, Jeremy Butterfield
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 162mm, Spine: 12mm
Weight: 370g
ISBN: 9780521678674
ISBN 10: 0521678676
Series: Cambridge Studies in Probability, Induction and Decision Theory
Pages: 264
Publication Date: 20 March 2006
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface; Acknowledgments; 1. Introduction; 2. Overview of the design inference; 3. Probability theory; 4. Complexity theory; 5. Specification; 6. Small probability; 7. Epilogue; Notes; References.

William A. Dembski is Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture in Seattle, and Carl F. H. Henry Professor of Theology and Science, Southern Seminary, Louisville.

Reviews for The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance through Small Probabilities

""...quite readable. Those who have no knowledge of the mathematics of probability may be put off, but in fact the level of mathematics and symbolic logic employed is not very difficult...The main arguments...are given in ordinary prose, then translated into symbols...Dembski has made a real advance in probability and information theory..."" Books & Culture ""...generally careful and precise, often persuasive, and at times surprisingly philosophically sensitive."" Ethics ""Dembski has produced an astonishing work. The Design InferenceR^ will no doubt become the cornerstone of the intelligent design movement. A marked and dog-eared copy of The Design InferenceR^ deserves a place on your shel not just for its clear historical significance, but also to allow yourself a place in the momentous discussion to come. Philosophia Christi