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'55 Science Paper Retracted to Thwart Creationists
i_like_spam writes "The New York Times has up a story about a paper published in 1955 by Homer Jacobson, a chemistry professor at Brooklyn College. The paper, entitled 'Information, Reproduction and the Origin of Life', speculated on the chemical qualities of earth in the Hadean time, billions of years ago when the planet was beginning to cool down to the point where, as Dr. Jacobson put it, 'one could imagine a few hardy compounds could survive.' Nobody paid much attention to the paper at the time, but today it is winning Dr. Jacobson acclaim that he does not want — from creationists who cite it as proof that life could not have emerged on earth without divine intervention. So after 52 years, he has retracted the paper. 'Dr. Jacobson's retraction is in "the noblest tradition of science," Rosalind Reid, editor of American Scientist, wrote in its November-December issue, which has Dr. Jacobson's letter. His letter shows, Ms. Reid wrote, "the distinction between a scientist who cannot let error stand, no matter the embarrassment of public correction," and people who "cling to dogma."'"
isn't that a bad example, to scientific method as such? If he believe that what he said/published was true, should he worry about the repurcations, as a scientist? His job it to tell what he knows and what he can prove. I am not questioning his intention, but I don't think 'intelligent design' guys will need to go for the 'correct interpretation' of any theory.
Unfortunately, some Christians in their attempts to fight the world feel compelled to try to convince everyone that science is wrong. As Christians our job is to share our own testimonies and the gospel -- Christ died on the cross to reconcile us to God. The Holy Spirit is in charge of convincing us of God's existence. I don't spend my time trying to convince people that scientific theory is bunk. I think science is wonderful. The Bible tells us that all good things come from heaven above. Let's see scientists create life without matter. And, in fact, Jesus knows who will listen by faith and who won't. John 10:14, 15: "I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me -- just as the Father knows me and I know the Father -- and I lay down my life for the sheep." But the Bible also warns us about placing our faith in the wisdom of any particular age: "Do not deceive yourselves. If any one of you thinks he is wise by the standards of this age, he should become a "fool" so that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"; and again, "The Lord knows that the thoughts of the wise are futile." (1 Corinthians 3:18) By saying "he should become a fool," the Apostle Paul is referring to faith in God. 1 Corinthians 1:25: "For the foolishness of God is wiser than man's wisdom..."
Why yes, faith in a universe that operates by a consistent and knowable set of rules, rather than the whims of an unknowable deity does fill me with great joy and peace.
(WAY off topic)
"It's a shortened version of "mathematics", which is a plural."
Hmmmmmm? If that's true, then would something like geometry rightly be called a "mathematic"? I think "mathematics" is a singular "field of study" like "Physics". Maths just sounds too strange to me. I'll stick with "Math" and hope that people know what I mean.