Yahoo Answers is shutting down on May 4th, 2021 (Eastern Time) and beginning April 20th, 2021 (Eastern Time) the Yahoo Answers website will be in read-only mode. There will be no changes to other Yahoo properties or services, or your Yahoo account. You can find more information about the Yahoo Answers shutdown and how to download your data on this help page.

OPM
Lv 7
OPM asked in Science & MathematicsMathematics · 8 years ago

Question for mathematician, statistician or biologist on 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.

Update:

Note I am only interested in the strength of the argument on its own merits, I am not concerned with whether or not it is received by the audience as valid. I doubt creationists would "get it," as there would be a strong emotional loss from accepting it. Also, sorry about the typo on Pearson's name.

1 Answer

Relevance
  • nosson
    Lv 4
    8 years ago

    ID and evolution are not mutually exclusive. I believe in both.

    As far as your modus tollens argument you didn't spell it out. If you want to see where you went wrong that's what you need to do.

Still have questions? Get your answers by asking now.