🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation: the Case for Thomism
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
What unites many critiques of materialism is not just dissatisfaction with scientism, but a shared reasoning pattern: Inference to the Best Explanation (IBE). Stephen Meyer, Wolfgang Smith, and FoS all employ IBE, though with different evidential bases, competitors, and conclusions.
- Meyer → Origins of information and a designing mind
- Smith → Quantum mechanics and a realist philosophy of nature
- FoS's project → A cumulative‑case IBE for a fully integrated Thomistic worldview, against scientism and its offshoots
1️⃣ Meyer: Origins, Information, and a Designing Mind
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
- Biological information → DNA shows specified complexity
- Origin of life → Prebiotic chemistry fails to generate long, information‑bearing molecules
- Cosmic fine‑tuning → Constants fall within a razor‑thin life‑permitting range
IBE comparison class:
- Theism
- Deism
- Pantheism
- Materialism/Naturalism
👉 Conclusion: A divine mind best explains biological information and fine‑tuning. Meyer’s IBE argues for a creator, but not yet a full metaphysics.
2️⃣ Smith: Quantum Mechanics and Thomistic Philosophy of Nature
🌌 Inference to the Best Explanation and the Case for Thomistic Theism
2️⃣ Smith: Quantum Mechanics and Thomistic Philosophy of Nature
Quantum anomalies:
- Measurement problem
- Disconnect between quantum vs. corporeal worlds
- Nonlocality & entanglement
Standard interpretations (Copenhagen, many‑worlds, Bohmian, QBism) each carry paradoxes.
Smith’s move: Reintroduce Thomistic metaphysics:
- Distinction between physical vs. corporeal orders
- Act & potency explain superpositions and measurement
- Vertical causation complements mechanistic causation
👉 Conclusion: Thomism explains quantum “weirdness” better than scientism. Smith’s IBE runs from physics → philosophy of nature.
3️⃣ A Cumulative IBE Against Scientism
3️⃣ A Cumulative IBE Against Scientism
2️⃣ Smith: Quantum Mechanics and Thomistic Philosophy of Nature
Science’s “Big Five Anomalies”:
- Quantum measurement & entanglement
- Binding problem of consciousness
- Continuity of motion & perception
- Cosmological constant problem
- Intelligibility & law‑likeness of nature
Alternatives considered:
- Emergentist physicalism
- Panpsychism / cosmopsychism
- Idealism
- Neutral monism
👉 Claim: Thomism handles all anomalies more coherently.
- Substantial unity via form & act
- Potency/act dovetail with quantum potentialities
- Fine‑tuning explained by form & finality
- Intelligibility grounded in creative order
4️⃣ From Creator to Worldview
3️⃣ A Cumulative IBE Against Scientism
4️⃣ From Creator to Worldview
- Meyer → Creator from origins & fine‑tuning
- Smith → Thomism from quantum puzzles
- FoS's project → Full Thomistic metaphysics, opening onto classical theism
👉 Not apodictic proof, but comparative explanatory superiority. The Thomistic‑Christian synthesis uniquely integrates science, consciousness, and metaphysics into a coherent worldview.
✨ Key Takeaway
3️⃣ A Cumulative IBE Against Scientism
4️⃣ From Creator to Worldview
When scientism collapses under anomalies, and alternatives falter, Thomism emerges as the best explanation of reality as a whole.
