Question for a philosopher on statistical testing and evolution?
I have a question on Peason/Neyman/Fisherian statistics and evolution. If I were testing for the existence of evolution using regression, such as a time series rate of change, then the most rational null hypothesis is the "no effect," hypothesis, that is, mu=0. In the category where mu=0 is intelligent design, creationism, but also other weird but possible naturalistic explanations. If the null is rejected then by modus tollens, to some degree of confidence, intelligent design is rejected by the data without a need to "assume" naturalism or other materialistic assumptions. Further, as Frequentist methods guarantee an alpha level of coverage, they are a worst case test statistic (assuming a proper statistic was used of course). This would be the distribution that most favored the null, to guarantee coverage. So using the data, with basic assumptions like Kolmogorov's axioms or probability, one would arrive at the rejection of creationism without resorting to naturalistic assumptions. What is the flaw in this argument? Also, sorry to use your professional time on this, but I cannot walk through the flaw. One could extend this, with a Bayesian decision theory framework to modus ponens as well, but only if you include additional assumptions. Criticism very much desired.
Sorry, should have been spelled Pearson
Note, I am not concerned with the reception by the audience, such as creationists, my only concern is the strength of the argument standing on its own.