19 Irreducible Complexity Obstacle to Darwinian Evolution Michael J. Behe
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Understanding the Intelligent Design Creationist Movement: Its True Nature and Goals
UNDERSTANDING THE INTELLIGENT DESIGN CREATIONIST MOVEMENT: ITS TRUE NATURE AND GOALS A POSITION PAPER FROM THE CENTER FOR INQUIRY OFFICE OF PUBLIC POLICY AUTHOR: BARBARA FORREST, Ph.D. Reviewing Committee: Paul Kurtz, Ph.D.; Austin Dacey, Ph.D.; Stuart D. Jordan, Ph.D.; Ronald A. Lindsay, J. D., Ph.D.; John Shook, Ph.D.; Toni Van Pelt DATED: MAY 2007 ( AMENDED JULY 2007) Copyright © 2007 Center for Inquiry, Inc. Permission is granted for this material to be shared for noncommercial, educational purposes, provided that this notice appears on the reproduced materials, the full authoritative version is retained, and copies are not altered. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the Center for Inquiry, Inc. Table of Contents Section I. Introduction: What is at stake in the dispute over intelligent design?.................. 1 Section II. What is the intelligent design creationist movement? ........................................ 2 Section III. The historical and legal background of intelligent design creationism ................ 6 Epperson v. Arkansas (1968) ............................................................................ 6 McLean v. Arkansas (1982) .............................................................................. 6 Edwards v. Aguillard (1987) ............................................................................. 7 Section IV. The ID movement’s aims and strategy .............................................................. 9 The “Wedge Strategy” ..................................................................................... -
Michael Behe and the “Limits” of Evolution (Bacterial Edition). James Downard - 18 July 2014
Michael Behe and the “Limits” of Evolution (bacterial edition). James Downard - 18 July 2014 During the Kitzmiller v. Dover Intelligent Design trial in 2005, the Expert Testimony of Michael Behe (2005a) came under fire. One of the lynchpin figures in the design movement, famed for Darwin’s Black Box, his crash-and-burn performance has been amply covered in many venues, including popular coverage by Matthew Chapman (2007) and Laurie Lebo (2008). Overlooked in the heat over irreducibly complex bacterial flagella mousetraps (and whether Behe and Ken Miller would duel with lab beakers at dawn) was a minor technical issue tossed off in Behe’s deposition and afterward, which warrants examination for the insights it gives to Behe’s use of technical citation and the degree to which he investigates the strength of the ammunition he slips into his ID shotgun. Venturing into the finer points of bacterial antibiotic resistance, Behe was bowled over by the import of Barry Hall (2004a): “In Vitro Evolution Predicts that the IMP-1 Metallo-β-Lactamase Does Not Have the Potential To Evolve Increased Activity against Imipenem.” To emphasize this “limit of Darwinian evolution” Behe included a full reprint of it for the Dover court, where one could see that he had drawn a big circle around the “Not” in the title. Arbitrarily deck-stacking his point further by asserting that evolutionists think “Darwinian processes can do everything,” Behe (2005a) summarized Hall’s findings thus: This is exemplified in some recent papers from the laboratory of Professor Barry G. Hall at the University of Rochester. -
Intelligent Design Is Not Science” Given by John G
An Outline of a lecture entitled, “Intelligent Design is not Science” given by John G. Wise in the Spring Semester of 2007: Slide 1 Why… … do humans have so much trouble with wisdom teeth? … is childbirth so dangerous and painful? Because a big, thinking brain is an advantage, and evolution is imperfect. Slide 2 Charles Darwin’s Revolutionary Idea His book changed the world. All life forms on this planet are related to each other through “Descent with modification over generations from a common ancestor”. Natural processes fully explain the biological connections between all life on the planet. Slide 3 Darwin’s Idea is Dangerous (from the book of the same title by Daniel Dennett) If we have evolution, we no longer need a Creator to create each and every species. Darwinism is dangerous because it infers that God did not directly and purposefully create us. It simply states that we evolved. Slide 4 Intelligent Design Attempts to Counter Darwin “Intelligent Design” has been proposed as way out of this dilemma. – Phillip Johnson, William Dembski, and Michael Behe (to name a few). They attempt to redefine science to encompass the supernatural as well as the natural world. They accept Darwin’s evolution, if an Intelligent Designer is (sometimes) substituted for natural selection. Design arguments are not new: − 1250 - St. Thomas Aquinas - first design argument − 1802 - Natural Theology - William Paley – perhaps the best(?) design argument Slide 5 What is Science? A specific way of understanding the natural world. Based on the idea that our senses give us accurate information about the Universe. -
Intelligent Design Creationism and the Constitution
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Washington University St. Louis: Open Scholarship Washington University Law Review Volume 83 Issue 1 2005 Is It Science Yet?: Intelligent Design Creationism and the Constitution Matthew J. Brauer Princeton University Barbara Forrest Southeastern Louisiana University Steven G. Gey Florida State University Follow this and additional works at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview Part of the Constitutional Law Commons, Education Law Commons, First Amendment Commons, Religion Law Commons, and the Science and Technology Law Commons Recommended Citation Matthew J. Brauer, Barbara Forrest, and Steven G. Gey, Is It Science Yet?: Intelligent Design Creationism and the Constitution, 83 WASH. U. L. Q. 1 (2005). Available at: https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_lawreview/vol83/iss1/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Law School at Washington University Open Scholarship. It has been accepted for inclusion in Washington University Law Review by an authorized administrator of Washington University Open Scholarship. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Washington University Law Quarterly VOLUME 83 NUMBER 1 2005 IS IT SCIENCE YET?: INTELLIGENT DESIGN CREATIONISM AND THE CONSTITUTION MATTHEW J. BRAUER BARBARA FORREST STEVEN G. GEY* TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................. -
Irreducible Complexity and Darwinian Gradualism: a Reply to Michael J
View metadata, citation and similar papers at core.ac.uk brought to you by CORE provided by Asbury Theological Seminary Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers Volume 19 Issue 1 Article 1 1-1-2002 Irreducible Complexity and Darwinian Gradualism: A Reply to Michael J. Behe Paul Draper Follow this and additional works at: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/faithandphilosophy Recommended Citation Draper, Paul (2002) "Irreducible Complexity and Darwinian Gradualism: A Reply to Michael J. Behe," Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers: Vol. 19 : Iss. 1 , Article 1. Available at: https://place.asburyseminary.edu/faithandphilosophy/vol19/iss1/1 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Journals at ePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faith and Philosophy: Journal of the Society of Christian Philosophers by an authorized editor of ePLACE: preserving, learning, and creative exchange. IRREDUCIBLE COMPLEXITY AND DARWINIAN GRADUALISM: A REPLY TO MICHAEL J. BEHE Paul Draper In Darwin's Black Box, Michael). Behe argues that, because certain biochemical systems are both irreducibly complex and very complex, it is extremely unlikely that they evolved gradually by Darwinian mechanisms, and so extremely likely that they were intelligently designed. I begin this paper by explaining Behe's argument and defending it against the very common but clearly mistaken charge that it is just a rehash of William Paley'S design argu ment. Then I critically discuss a number of more serious objections to the argument. I conclude that, while Behe successfully rules out some Darwinian paths to the biochemical systems he discusses, others remain open. -
Does Intelligent Design Postulate a “Supernatural Creator?” Overview: No
Truth Sheet # 09-05 Does intelligent design postulate a “supernatural creator?” Overview: No. The ACLU, and many of its expert witnesses, have alleged that teaching the scientific theory of intelligent design (ID) is unconstitutional in all circumstances because it posits a “supernatural creator.” Yet actual statements from intelligent design theorists have made it clear that the scientific theory of intelligent design does not address metaphysical and religious questions such as the nature or identity of the designer. Firstly, the textbook being used in Dover, Of Pandas and People (Pandas ), makes it clear that design theory does not address religious or metaphysical questions, such as the nature or identity of the designer. Consider these two clear disclaimers from Pandas : "[T]he intelligent design explanation has unanswered questions of its own. But unanswered questions, which exist on both sides, are an essential part of healthy science; they define the areas of needed research. Questions often expose hidden errors that have impeded the progress of science. For example, the place of intelligent design in science has been troubling for more than a century. That is because on the whole, scientists from within Western culture failed to distinguish between intelligence, which can be recognized by uniform sensory experience, and the supernatural, which cannot. Today we recognize that appeals to intelligent design may be considered in science, as illustrated by current NASA search for extraterrestrial intelligence (SETI). Archaeology has pioneered the development of methods for distinguishing the effects of natural and intelligent causes. We should recognize, however, that if we go further, and conclude that the intelligence responsible for biological origins is outside the universe (supernatural) or within it, we do so without the help of science." 1 “[T]he concept of design implies absolutely nothing about beliefs normally associated with Christian fundamentalism, such as a young earth, a global flood, or even the existence of the Christian God. -
CARL ZIMMER Author & Journalist
CARL ZIMMER Author & journalist carlzimmer.com @carlzimmer BIOGRAPHY The New York Times Book Review calls Carl Zimmer "as fine a science essayist as we have." He is the author of thirteen acclaimed books and a columnist for the New York Times. Zimmer first be- gan writing about science at Discover, where he served for five years as a senior editor, and has gone on to write hundreds of features for magazines including The Atlantic, The New York Times Magazine, Time, National Geographic, and Scientific American. He has also served as a scientific editor for television documentaries, consulted on museum exhibits, and contributed his writing to major science web sites. Zimmer has earned numerous honors for his work. In 2007 he won the National Academies Communication Award, and he has won the American Association for the Advancement of Sci- ences Science Journalism Award three times. In 2015, Zimmer won the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Biology Teachers, and in 2016, he won the Stephen Jay Gould Prize, awarded by the Society for the Study of Evolution. In 2018, Zimmer’s book She Has Her Mother’s Laugh was named by Publisher’s Weekly one of the ten best books of the year. The Guardian named it the best science book of 2018 and The New York Times Book Review chose it as a Notable Book of the Year. It was short-listed for the Baillie-Gifford Prize for Nonfiction and a fi- nalist for the PEN/E.O. Wilson Literary Science Writing Prize. His articles have been antholo- gized in both The Best American Science and Nature Writing series and The Best American Science Writing series. -
2021 Nslivenorth Media Pack Update
Manchester Central 5 – 7 February 2021 Media Pack New Scientist Live North Adrian Newton Events Director ❝ February 2021 will see New Scientist Live take its multi-award-winning science festival to the north of England for the first time. New Scientist Live North will feature the same mix of thought- provoking talks, interactive exhibits and hands- on scientific experiences as our hugely successful London show. We are thrilled to be bringing science to life for a whole new audience curious about science and why it matters. Over three days from 5-7 February at Manchester Central, New Scientist Live North will feature three stages with 45 fascinating talks covering everything from the big bang to the future of artificial intelligence. With seating for over 2,000, visitors will be inspired by our line-up of world-class speakers presenting ideas that explain and shape our world s from gene editing to cosmic expansion. The heart of New Scientist Live North will be a bustling 1,800 sqm exhibition space, wowing visitors with dozens of engaging exhibits from major STEM institutions and corporations plus interactive activities and inspiring features curated by New Scientist Live. 9,000 highly engaged visitors from across the north of England and Scotland will be inspired by what they hear, see and touch and have their passions awaked by new experiences and ideas. MATT RIGBY/EYEEM/GETTY MATT We can't wait to see you there. New Scientist Live North Why Manchester? As a key transport hub and undisputed ‘Capital of the North’, Manchester is the perfect location to attract visitors from across the north of England and Scotland to experience New Scientist Live North. -
Comment the Communication Strategies of Neocreationism Between the United States and Europe
SISSA – International School for Advanced Studies Journal of Science Communication ISSN 1824 – 2049 http://jcom.sissa.it/ Comment The communication strategies of neocreationism between the United States and Europe Astrid Pizzo In their essay which appeared in 1972 in Models in Paleobiology , Stephen Jay Gould and Niles Eldredge, introducing the theory of punctuated equilibrium, stressed the fact that no scientific theory develops as a simple and logical extension of facts and of patiently recorded observations, and that the particular vision of the world that the scientist adheres to is able to influence, even unconsciously, the way in which data are collected, selected and then interpreted. Scientists, being aware of the existence of an intrinsic problem of prejudice in their scientific research activity, know that, in order to produce original and innovative ideas, it is fundamental to try to revolutionise their research image, to look at reality in a new light, to read data with alternative viewpoints. According to the American philosopher Robert Pennock 1,2, creationists ignore this aspect completely: they look to the Sacred Scriptures to find answers on the origin of the world and of life, and then try to interpret the empirical evidence so that it fits the scriptures. However, American creationism has changed radically in recent decades. Unlike creationists in the strict sense of the word, who use what is said in the Bible explicitly, at times even literally, to attack the theory of evolution, the advocates of Intelligent Design, who opened their season in the Seventies with the publication of Scientific Creationism by Henry Morris 3, do not adopt a stance of direct opposition to evolutionism, but try to work alongside it and to make use of scientific method to find the evidence of the divine hand in nature. -
Women in Astronomy: an Introductory Resource Guide
Women in Astronomy: An Introductory Resource Guide by Andrew Fraknoi (Fromm Institute, University of San Francisco) [April 2019] © copyright 2019 by Andrew Fraknoi. All rights reserved. For permission to use, or to suggest additional materials, please contact the author at e-mail: fraknoi {at} fhda {dot} edu This guide to non-technical English-language materials is not meant to be a comprehensive or scholarly introduction to the complex topic of the role of women in astronomy. It is simply a resource for educators and students who wish to begin exploring the challenges and triumphs of women of the past and present. It’s also an opportunity to get to know the lives and work of some of the key women who have overcome prejudice and exclusion to make significant contributions to our field. We only include a representative selection of living women astronomers about whom non-technical material at the level of beginning astronomy students is easily available. Lack of inclusion in this introductory list is not meant to suggest any less importance. We also don’t include Wikipedia articles, although those are sometimes a good place for students to begin. Suggestions for additional non-technical listings are most welcome. Vera Rubin Annie Cannon & Henrietta Leavitt Maria Mitchell Cecilia Payne ______________________________________________________________________________ Table of Contents: 1. Written Resources on the History of Women in Astronomy 2. Written Resources on Issues Women Face 3. Web Resources on the History of Women in Astronomy 4. Web Resources on Issues Women Face 5. Material on Some Specific Women Astronomers of the Past: Annie Cannon Margaret Huggins Nancy Roman Agnes Clerke Henrietta Leavitt Vera Rubin Williamina Fleming Antonia Maury Charlotte Moore Sitterly Caroline Herschel Maria Mitchell Mary Somerville Dorrit Hoffleit Cecilia Payne-Gaposchkin Beatrice Tinsley Helen Sawyer Hogg Dorothea Klumpke Roberts 6. -
Irreducible Complexity (IC) Has Played a Pivotal Role in the Resurgence of the Creationist Movement Over the Past Two Decades
Irreducible incoherence and Intelligent Design: a look into the conceptual toolbox of a pseudoscience Abstract The concept of Irreducible Complexity (IC) has played a pivotal role in the resurgence of the creationist movement over the past two decades. Evolutionary biologists and philosophers have unambiguously rejected the purported demonstration of “intelligent design” in nature, but there have been several, apparently contradictory, lines of criticism. We argue that this is in fact due to Michael Behe’s own incoherent definition and use of IC. This paper offers an analysis of several equivocations inherent in the concept of Irreducible Complexity and discusses the way in which advocates of the Intelligent Design Creationism (IDC) have conveniently turned IC into a moving target. An analysis of these rhetorical strategies helps us to understand why IC has gained such prominence in the IDC movement, and why, despite its complete lack of scientific merits, it has even convinced some knowledgeable persons of the impending demise of evolutionary theory. Introduction UNTIL ITS DRAMATIC legal defeat in the Kitzmiller v. Dover case, Intelligent Design Creationism (IDC) had been one of the most successful pseudosciences of the past two decades, at least when measured in terms of cultural influence. It is interesting to explore the way this species of creationism had achieved this success, notwithstanding its periodic strategic setbacks as well as its complete lack of scientific merits. Of course, a full explanation would include religious, socio-political, and historical reasons; instead, in this paper, we will take a closer look at the conceptual toolbox and rhetorical strategies of the ID creationist. -
Digital Irreducible Complexity: a Survey of Irreducible Complexity in Computer Simulations
Critical Focus Digital Irreducible Complexity: A Survey of Irreducible Complexity in Computer Simulations Winston Ewert* Biologic Institute, Redmond, Washington, USA Abstract Irreducible complexity is a concept developed by Michael Behe to describe certain biological systems. Behe claims that irreducible complexity poses a challenge to Darwinian evolution. Irreducibly complex systems, he argues, are highly unlikely to evolve because they have no direct series of selectable intermediates. Various computer models have been published that attempt to demonstrate the evolution of irreducibly complex systems and thus falsify this claim. How- ever, closer inspection of these models shows that they fail to meet the definition of irreducible complexity in a num- ber of ways. In this paper we demonstrate how these models fail. In addition, we present another designed digital sys- tem that does exhibit designed irreducible complexity, but that has not been shown to be able to evolve. Taken together, these examples indicate that Behe’s concept of irreducible complexity has not been falsified by computer models. Cite as: Ewert W (2014) Digital irreducible complexity: A survey of irreducible complexity in computer simulations. BIO-Complexity 2014 (1):1–10. doi:10.5048/BIO-C.2014.1. Editor: Ola Hössjer Received: November 16, 2013; Accepted: February 18, 2014; Published: April 5, 2014 Copyright: © 2014 Ewert. This open-access article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits free distribution and reuse in derivative works provided the original author(s) and source are credited. Notes: A Critique of this paper, when available, will be assigned doi:10.5048/BIO-C.2014.1.c.