I had noticed some odd omissions. He hadn't updated his online bibliography for several years. The Discovery Institute has been feting Behe and Denton, but strangely silent about Dembski's contributions, even though he's one of the founders of the movement. I've also seen Evolution News & Views showcasing newer talent (e.g. Doug Axe, Stephen Meyer).
One reason might be that as an aging mathematician, he may feel his best work is behind him. To be clear, he hasn't recanted his position.
There is, though, some bitterness. I think, not without reason, that he suffers from burnout because he's been burned so many times. He was run out of town on a rail at Baylor. Then he got a job at SBTS, only to resign a year later. Then he landed a job at SWBTS, only to get into hot water with Paige Patterson.
He's been frozen out by naturalistic evolutionists, theistic evolutionists, and young-earth creationists. His statement that "the camaraderie I once experienced with colleagues and friends in the movement has largely dwindled" is striking. He feels pretty alienated. Sad, but understandable. For more background on his motivations:
http://www.thebestschools.org/features/william-dembski-interview/#disillusion_with_fundamentalism
http://www.thebestschools.org/features/william-dembski-interview/#disillusion_with_fundamentalism
This is disappointing news
ReplyDeleteIt's a great shame to see his talents wasted on business.
DeleteI figure he thinks he has already made his big contributions to the ID movement and that he now has to focus on making money to provide for his severely autistic son's future. Parents of disabled children often worry about how their children will be provided for and taken care of after they've died. That's why many focus on making a lot of money NOW. I'm amazed at how much and for how long Dembski did contribute to the movement. Often to his own financial hurt. He's done more than his share and I think he's now focusing on taking care of his family.
ReplyDeleteCasey Luskin is another prominent ID theorist who dropped out. I think he dropped out at the end of last year or maybe beginning of this year.
ReplyDeleteAlthough likewise to be clear, Casey Luskin still very much supports ID.
DeleteI guess I don't get it. If one still has views of a particular sort how does one "drop out." Can't one just focus attention elsewhere without the he drama.
ReplyDeleteYou drop out by no longer participating. I didn't suggest there was "drama". I didn't suggest there was anything inherently wrong with shifting focus, although it's a pity that his talents will be wasted on business because he lacks job security at Christian institutions.
DeleteSteve, you've said "business" in the comments here as if it were somehow a less noble calling than writing about Intelligent Design. It's not as if there aren't many capable individuals in the next generation of ID.
DeleteOn the positive side of business, I'll just give two examples. Andrew Carnegie not only created an industry (the steel industry), but he has left a legacy in Pittsburgh here long after that industry has faded -- in the form not only of Carnegie Mellon university, and it's ongoing technology leadership, but in the form of his associates in business with names like Schenley and Frick and Mellon.
And look at the Cathy family, owners of Chick-Fil-A. There are 500 "Fortune 500" businesses, but only one "Chick-Fil-A". What if there were dozens or even hundreds of Christian-owned businesses that could give a witness like that of the Cathy family.
You frequently write about the death of one person enabling the birth or growth of another. It was a pity when Obi Wan Kenobi got killed. But we can see this as an analogous situation.
He might be very good at business, but how many good businessmen are good at what he used to do? There are some Christian philosophers, Bible scholars, theologians, and apologists who might be very successful businessmen. But how many successful businessmen would make good Christian philosophers, Bible scholars, theologians, and apologists? If, as an intellectually gifted Christian, you have the ability to excel at several things, it's best to focus on what you're distinctively good at. If you can do well at what many other people can do well at, but many other people can't do (or won't do) what you can do, then you should focus on what you can do but they can't.
DeleteI don't say that as a criticism of Dembski. He has a special-needs son, and his employment situation in Christian institutions is too precarious. It's tragic that he's been forced to make that choice.