Transcript Geology and Cosmology - Physics at Oregon State University

Geology and Cosmology
How old is the earth? How old is the universe?
Nicholas Steno (1638 – 1686)
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Fossils are in fact the remains of living
creatures.
The layers we see in rocks – strata – are
sedimentary deposits. Fossil shells found
encased in these deposits were laid down
with mud that later hardened into rock.
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Since the strata are sediments, they must
have been laid down horizontally therefore,
in any case where we see them at an angle,
they must have been shifted at some time
subsequent to their formation.
It then follows that the lower strata must be
older than the higher strata.
Noah’s flood becomes a geological
event (in England)
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Edmund Halley: A comet collided with the
earth causing it to shift on its axis.
John Woodward: Steno’s strata were laid
down during the flood.
In France geology discredits the
bible.
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George-Louis Leclerc, compte de Buffon: A
comet struck the sun spewing out matter
that later condensed into the solar system.
Pierre Simon Laplace: The sun and planets
formed simultaneously out of a rotating
nebulous cloud.
So not the hand of God, but real physics.
One fact – Two opposite
conclusions
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Laplace: “I don’t need that hypothesis.
Genesis 1:2, “The world was without form
and void,” obviously refers to Laplace’s
nebula.
Higher Criticism
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The analysis of the Bible, not from a
theological perspective, but from a
historical , textural, and philological
perspective.
One discipline – two opposite
reactions
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Higher criticism threatens the authenticity
of the Bible.
Higher criticism, by showing the meager
historical content of the Bible, liberates its
spiritual content.
Scientists were stuck in the middle.
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Every discovery became ammunition for
two warring factions.
The solution – professionalize
In 1807 the Geological Society of London
was founded.
Reaction
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When you create an “in group” you
automatically create an “out group.”
“Philosophical geologists” concentrated on
geology per se, not its religious
ramifications.
“Mosaical geologists” tried to conform
scientific finding to literal readings of
Genesis.
Another In Group
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Higher Criticism: You don’t read ancient
Hebrew and Greek? You don’t belong!
So you are excluded by the geologists and
excluded by the linguists, what’s your
response? Retrenchment!
It’s what you say in public that
counts.
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Philosophical geologists adhered to strict
methodological naturalism.
Mosaical geologists used geology for
apologetic purposes.
(Apologetics: the branch of theology that aims
to defend or prove Christianity.)
Polarization
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This division has persisted up to the present
time, especially regarding biological
evolution.