DOCSLIB.ORG

Intelligent Design

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Intelligent Design Intelligent Design Intelligent Design: Should We Teach It? Sarah-Kate Oliver Department of Biology; College of Arts and Sciences Abilene Christian University Belief about the origins of the universe and mankind is an important aspect of most world religions. While many ‘progressive’ Christians view the Genesis accounts of creation as mythical or allegorical, some ‘fundamentalist’ Christians claim it is a literal and historical account of the origins of life. The scientific community, on the other hand, views Darwin’s Theory of Evolution as the definitive explanation of the origin of all species on Earth including humans. As science has continued to line up behind evolution, it has been integrated into the public school curriculum. The question examined by this paper is: should the ‘plain sense’ or literal hermeneutic of the Genesis accounts of creation (commonly referred to as ‘Creationism’ or, more recently, ‘Intelligent Design’), be taught in public schools as an alternative explanation for the evolutionary understanding of the origins of life? Opinions about the orthodox way in mutations threatens their beliefs and the which to read and interpret Genesis 1-3 have notion of humans having been created “in been varied and dynamic throughout the God’s image”. Simply put, many Christians history of the Christian faith. Many early have come to view Darwin’s theory of Christians such as St. Augustine and St. evolution as inconsistent with some of the Thomas Aquinas did not interpret the central tenets of their faith. Consequently, Genesis account of creation literally, but the teaching in public schools of evolution rather as an allegory. More recently, as the scientific explanation for all species particularly since the Protestant reformation, on earth including humans has been, and many Christians read the creation account in remains, very threatening and problematic Genesis as the historical record of the for some believers. earth’s origin. Viewed in this way, a reading of the Genesis stories points the reader Creationism in Public Schools: A Brief toward the conclusion that all the creatures Legal History inhabiting the Earth were spoken into The integration of creationism into creation by God over the course of a few the biology curriculum of public schools has days. This conclusion is reinforced in John’s been a highly contested issue within the gospel through the “Logos” account which court system since the famous Scopes trial states “Through him all things were made; of the 1920s. The legal question hinges on without him nothing was made that has been the Establishment clause of the First made” (John 1:2 New International Amendment of the United States Version). For many Christians, a sense of Constitution. The Establishment clause is in spiritual identity and comfort is found in the place to protect the right of religious notion that they were specifically created by freedom, and does so by preventing the God. To them, the idea that modern life government from establishing a national forms evolved through a series of seemingly religion or passing legislation that favors random, incremental adaptations and Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2016-Spring 2017 |Volume 4 1 Intelligent Design one religion to another.1 Since the 1920s, creation-science because it had been held in proponents of creationism have demanded federal courts that this was religious that it be included as a part of the required advocacy. Webster argued that prohibiting educational standards in almost every state. him from teaching creation-science was a Among some of the most notable cases violation of his first amendment right. The dealing with the teaching of “Creation court held that the school district had the Science,” are McLean v. Arkansas Board of responsibility to ensure that the Education, Webster v. New Lennox School Establishment Clause was not violated, and District, and Kitzmiller et. al. v. Dover. that Webster’s rights had not been violated.3 In 1981, McLean v Arkansas Board The 2005 case of Kitzmiller v. Dover of Education challenged the constitutional Area School District in Pennsylvania is legitimacy of Act 590, or the “Balanced perhaps the most notable case in recent Treatment for Creation-Science and years. Members of the Board of the Dover Evolution-Science Act.” This act was put in Area School District took issue with the place to mandate that schools give equal Darwinian theory of evolution explained in treatment to creation-science and evolution- the district’s biology textbook. The Board science. Upon examination of the definitions made the decision to require that biology of creation-science and evolution-science teachers read a disclaimer that discounted used within Act 590, the Court determined the esteem with which Darwin’s theory of that the definition of creation-science was evolution is held within scientific “unquestionably religious.” This decision communities and presented creationism as was based on the overwhelming similarity of an alternative theory for the origins of the creation science to the creation story told in universe. When parents of students within the first 11 chapters of Genesis. The Court the Dover Area School District caught word found that the religious motives behind the of this disclaimer, they filed a suit against Act put it in conflict with the Establishment the district claiming that the Board had Clause, and ultimately rejected the Act as violated the constitution by issuing this unconstitutional.2 mandate. The Court concluded that the The case of Webster v. New Lennox Board did, in fact, violate the Establishment School District in 1990 dealt with confusion Clause by requiring teachers to read the surrounding whether or not the District disclaimer.4 prohibiting the teaching of “creation- These cases do not provide a science” was a violation of a teacher’s First comprehensive history of the legal battle Amendment right to freedom of speech. Mr. between evolutionary theory and Webster, a history teacher in the New creationism; however, they provide insight Lennox School District, was investigated into the overwhelming number of cases that because of complaints that his teaching have been ongoing for close to a century methods violated the Establishment Clause now. Time and again, courts have upheld when he taught “creation-science” theory in that the teaching of creationism as science in order to refute a statement in the textbook a public school classroom violates the that the world is over four billion years old. Establishment clause due to the conclusion The superintendent of the school district that it is not science, but rather a religious dictated that Mr. Webster was not to teach teaching with evangelical motives behind it. 1 Establishment Clause Overview, 2011 3 U. S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit, 2 U. S. District Court for the Eastern District of 1990 Arkansas, 1982 4 U. S. Supreme Court, 2005 Dialogue & Nexus | Fall 2016-Spring 2017 |Volume 4 2 Intelligent Design Intelligent Design: The Theology science classrooms as they are both Against this backdrop of repeated “theories.” While it is a common legislative and legal failures, proponents of misconception among the general public that creationism in recent years have effectively a scientific theory and a hypothesis are one “re-branded” their belief with a new name: in the same, within the scientific community Intelligent Design (ID). ID suggests that the there is a clear distinction between the two. best explanation for the origin of the A hypothesis is a testable explanation of an universe is that it was designed by an observed phenomenon. A scientific theory intelligent entity.5 As proposed by its begins as a hypothesis and is only accepted advocates, ID is a retelling of two Biblical once it has been repeatedly tested and creation stories using scientific terminology supported by empirical data.8 Evolution is in an effort to make it acceptable for confirmed by data from numerous branches teaching in public schools.6 While most of biology including paleontology, genetics, advocates for Intelligent Design will not developmental biology, and molecular assign an identity to the “Intelligent biology.9 In contrast, ID offers little to no Designer,” the parallels between the creation empirical data in support of its claims. On story in Genesis and ID Theory are striking, the contrary, some of ID’s fundamental and it is not a far leap to conclude that the assumptions have been challenged by recent “Intelligent Designer” proponents of the research. movement have in mind is the God of the Behe offers “scientific” evidence of Christian Bible. The refusal to identify the ID in the form of irreducible complexity. In designer is merely an attempt to further Behe’s Darwin’s Black Box irreducible disguise this branch of creationism. complexity is defined as “a single system With the integration of evolutionary composed of several well-matched, theory into the curriculum of biology interacting parts that contribute to the basic classrooms around the country, evangelicals function, wherein the removal of any one of were in need of a theory that was compatible the parts causes the system to effectively with a literal interpretation of Genesis but cease the system to effectively cease was distanced enough from Christianity to functioning.”10 In other words, because a stand a fighting chance in the courtroom. ID system requires all components to serve a is the product of this requirement. function it cannot be reduced to a more Proponents of this
Load more

Recommended publications
  • 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” .....................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Ono Mato Pee 145
    789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 148215 9 789493 148215 789493 9 9 789493 148215 9 148215 789493 148215 789493 9 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 148215 789493 9 789493 148215 9 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 99 789493789493 148215148215 9 789493 148215 99 789493789493 148215148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 9 789493 148215 145 PEE MATO ONO Graphic Design Systems, and the Systems of Graphic Design Francisco Laranjo Bibliography M.; Drenttel, W. & Heller, S. (2012) Within graphic design, the concept of systems is profoundly Escobar, A. (2018) Designs for Looking Closer 4: Critical Writings rooted in form. When a term such as system is invoked, it is the Pluriverse (New Ecologies for on Graphic Design. Allworth Press, normally related to macro and micro-typography, involving pp. 199–207. the Twenty-First Century). Duke book design and typesetting, but also addressing type design University Press. Manzini, E. (2015) Design, When or parametric typefaces. Branding and signage are two other Jenner, K. (2016) Chill Kendall Jenner Everybody Designs: An Introduction Didn’t Think People Would Care to Design for Social Innovation. domains which nearly claim exclusivity of the use of the That She Deleted Her Instagram. Massachusetts: MIT Press. word ‘systems’ in relation to graphic design. A key example of In: Vogue. Available at: https://www. Meadows, D. (2008) Thinking in this is the influential bookGrid Systems in Graphic Design vogue.com/article/kendall-jenner- Systems.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Seeing and Believing the Never-Ending Attempt to Reconcile
    1 Seeing and Believing The never-ending attempt to reconcile science and religion, and why it is doomed to fail. Jerry A. Coyne, The New Republic Published: Wednesday, February 04, 2009 Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and Believe in Evolution By Karl W. Giberson (HarperOne, 248 pp., $24.95) Only A Theory: Evolution and the Battle for America's Soul By Kenneth R. Miller (Viking, 244 pp., $25.95) I. Charles Darwin was born on February 12, 1809--the same day as Abraham Lincoln--and published his magnum opus, On the Origin of Species, fifty years later. Every half century, then, a Darwin Year comes around: an occasion to honor his theory of evolution by natural selection, which is surely the most important concept in biology, and perhaps the most revolutionary scientific idea in history. 2009 is such a year, and we biologists are preparing to fan out across the land, giving talks and attending a multitude of DarwinFests. The melancholy part is that we will be speaking more to other scientists than to the American public. For in this country, Darwin is a man of low repute. The ideas that made Darwin's theory so revolutionary are precisely the ones that repel much of religious America, for they imply that, far from having a divinely scripted role in the drama of life, our species is the accidental and contingent result of a purely natural process. And so the culture wars continue between science and religion. On one side we have a scientific establishment and a court system determined to let children learn evolution rather than religious mythology, and on the other side the many Americans who passionately resist those efforts.
    [Show full text]
  • The Demarcation Problem
    Part I The Demarcation Problem 25 Chapter 1 Popper’s Falsifiability Criterion 1.1 Popper’s Falsifiability Popper’s Problem : To distinguish between science and pseudo-science (astronomy vs astrology) - Important distinction: truth is not the issue – some theories are sci- entific and false, and some may be unscientific but true. - Traditional but unsatisfactory answers: empirical method - Popper’s targets: Marx, Freud, Adler Popper’s thesis : Falsifiability – the theory contains claims which could be proved to be false. Characteristics of Pseudo-Science : unfalsifiable - Any phenomenon can be interpreted in terms of the pseudo-scientific theory “Whatever happened always confirmed it” (5) - Example: man drowning vs saving a child Characteristics of Science : falsifiability - A scientific theory is always takes risks concerning the empirical ob- servations. It contains the possibility of being falsified. There is con- firmation only when there is failure to refute. 27 28 CHAPTER 1. POPPER’S FALSIFIABILITY CRITERION “The theory is incompatible with certain possible results of observation” (6) - Example: Einstein 1919 1.2 Kuhn’s criticism of Popper Kuhn’s Criticism of Popper : Popper’s falsifiability criterion fails to char- acterize science as it is actually practiced. His criticism at best applies to revolutionary periods of the history of science. Another criterion must be given for normal science. Kuhn’s argument : - Kuhn’s distinction between normal science and revolutionary science - A lesson from the history of science: most science is normal science. Accordingly, philosophy of science should focus on normal science. And any satisfactory demarcation criterion must apply to normal science. - Popper’s falsifiability criterion at best only applies to revolutionary science, not to normal science.
    [Show full text]
  • Mike Kelley's Studio
    No PMS Flood Varnish Spine: 3/16” (.1875”) 0413_WSJ_Cover_02.indd 1 2/4/13 1:31 PM Reine de Naples Collection in every woman is a queen BREGUET BOUTIQUES – NEW YORK FIFTH AVENUE 646 692-6469 – NEW YORK MADISON AVENUE 212 288-4014 BEVERLY HILLS 310 860-9911 – BAL HARBOUR 305 866-1061 – LAS VEGAS 702 733-7435 – TOLL FREE 877-891-1272 – WWW.BREGUET.COM QUEEN1-WSJ_501x292.indd 1-2 01.02.13 16:56 BREGUET_205640303.indd 2 2/1/13 1:05 PM BREGUET_205640303.indd 3 2/1/13 1:06 PM a sporting life! 1-800-441-4488 Hermes.com 03_501,6x292,1_WSJMag_Avril_US.indd 1 04/02/13 16:00 FOR PRIVATE APPOINTMENTS AND MADE TO MEASURE INQUIRIES: 888.475.7674 R ALPHLAUREN.COM NEW YORK BEVERLY HILLS DALLAS CHICAGO PALM BEACH BAL HARBOUR WASHINGTON, DC BOSTON 1.855.44.ZEGNA | Shop at zegna.com Passion for Details Available at Macy’s and macys.com the new intense fragrance visit Armanibeauty.com SHIONS INC. Phone +1 212 940 0600 FA BOSS 0510/S HUGO BOSS shop online hugoboss.com www.omegawatches.com We imagined an 18K red gold diving scale so perfectly bonded with a ceramic watch bezel that it would be absolutely smooth to the touch. And then we created it. The result is as aesthetically pleasing as it is innovative. You would expect nothing less from OMEGA. Discover more about Ceragold technology on www.omegawatches.com/ceragold New York · London · Paris · Zurich · Geneva · Munich · Rome · Moscow · Beijing · Shanghai · Hong Kong · Tokyo · Singapore 26 Editor’s LEttEr 28 MasthEad 30 Contributors 32 on thE CovEr slam dunk Fashion is another way Carmelo Anthony is scoring this season.
    [Show full text]
  • Intelligent Design: Is It Really Worth It?
    Leaven Volume 17 Issue 2 Theology and Science Article 6 1-1-2009 Intelligent Design: Is It Really Worth It? Chris Doran [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven Part of the Biblical Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, and the Religious Thought, Theology and Philosophy of Religion Commons Recommended Citation Doran, Chris (2009) "Intelligent Design: Is It Really Worth It?," Leaven: Vol. 17 : Iss. 2 , Article 6. Available at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/leaven/vol17/iss2/6 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Religion at Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Leaven by an authorized editor of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected]. Doran: Intelligent Design: Is It Really Worth It? Intelligent Design: Is It Really Worth It? CHRIS DORAN imaginethatwe have all had occasion to look up into the sky on a clear night, gaze at the countless stars, and think about how small we are in comparison to the enormity of the universe. For everyone except Ithe most strident atheist (although I suspect that even s/he has at one point considered the same feeling), staring into space can be a stark reminder that the universe is much grander than we could ever imagine, which may cause us to contemplate who or what might have put this universe together. For believers, looking up at tJotestars often puts us into the same spirit of worship that must have filled the psalmist when he wrote, "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalms 19.1).
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]
  • The Scopes Trial, Antievolutionism, and the Last Crusade of William Jennings Bryan
    University of Mississippi eGrove Electronic Theses and Dissertations Graduate School 2012 Six Days of Twenty-Four Hours: the Scopes Trial, Antievolutionism, and the Last Crusade of William Jennings Bryan Kari Lynn Edwards Follow this and additional works at: https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd Part of the History of Christianity Commons Recommended Citation Edwards, Kari Lynn, "Six Days of Twenty-Four Hours: the Scopes Trial, Antievolutionism, and the Last Crusade of William Jennings Bryan" (2012). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 96. https://egrove.olemiss.edu/etd/96 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at eGrove. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of eGrove. For more information, please contact [email protected]. SIX DAYS OF TWENTY-FOUR HOURS: THE SCOPES TRIAL, ANTIEVOLUTIONISM, AND THE LAST CRUSADE OF WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN A Thesis presented in partial fulfillment of requirements for the degree of Master of Arts in the Department of Southern Studies The University of Mississippi by KARI EDWARDS May 2012 Copyright Kari Edwards 2012 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ABSTRACT The academic study of the Scopes Trial has always been approached from a traditional legal interpretation. This project seeks to reframe the conventional arguments surrounding the trial, treating it instead as a significant religious event, one which not only altered the course of Christian Fundamentalism and the Creationist movement, but also perpetuated Southern religious stereotypes through the intense, and largely negative, nationwide publicity it attracted. Prosecutor William Jennings Bryan's crucial role is also redefined, with his denial of a strictly literal interpretation of Genesis during the trial serving as the impetus for the shift toward ultra- conservatism and young-earth Creationism within the movement after 1925.
    [Show full text]
  • 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..................................................................................................
    [Show full text]
  • The Design Argument
    The design argument The different versions of the cosmological argument we discussed over the last few weeks were arguments for the existence of God based on extremely abstract and general features of the universe, such as the fact that some things come into existence, and that there are some contingent things. The argument we’ll be discussing today is not like this. The basic idea of the argument is that if we pay close attention to the details of the universe in which we live, we’ll be able to see that that universe must have been created by an intelligent designer. This design argument, or, as its sometimes called, the teleological argument, has probably been the most influential argument for the existence of God throughout most of history. You will by now not be surprised that a version of the teleological argument can be found in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. You will by now not be surprised that a version of the teleological argument can be found in the writings of Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas is noting that things we observe in nature, like plants and animals, typically act in ways which are advantageous to themselves. Think, for example, of the way that many plants grow in the direction of light. Clearly, as Aquinas says, plants don’t do this because they know where the light is; as he says, they “lack knowledge.” But then how do they manage this? What does explain the fact that plants grow in the direction of light, if not knowledge? Aquinas’ answer to this question is that they must be “directed to their end” -- i.e., designed to be such as to grow toward the light -- by God.
    [Show full text]
  • Creation/Evolution
    Creation/Evolution issue VI CONTENTS Fall 1981 ARTICLES 1 A Survey of Creationist Field Research—by Henry P. Zuidema 6 Arkeology: A New Science In Support of Creation?—by Robert A. Moore 16 Paluxy Man—The Creationist Plltdown—by Christopher Gregory Weber 23 An Analysis of the Creationist Film, Footprints in Stone—by Laurie R. Godfrey 30 Tripping Over a Triloblte: A Study of the Meister Tracks—by Ernest C. Conrad 34 Misquoted Scientists Respond—by John R. Cole REPORTS 45 News Briefs from the Editor LICENSED TO UNZ.ORG ELECTRONIC REPRODUCTION PROHIBITED FORTHCOMING SYMPOSIA Fall Science Conference of the Metropolitan Detroit Science Teachers Associa- tion and the Detroit Area Council of Teachers of Mathematics. November 14, 1981, at Lakeview High School, St. Clair Shores, Michigan. One of the sessions at this conference will be devoted to the creation-evolution controversy. University of Minnesota Conference on "Evolution and Public Education." December 5, 1981, at the Earle Brown Center of the St. Paul Campus. It is aimed at high school teachers, school board members, legislators, and the general pub- lic. The purpose is to examine the creation-evolution controversy as it relates to education and science. John A. Moore will give the keynote address. Fourteen lecturers will participate, including two who have written for Creation/Evolu- tion. Contact Peter Zetterberg, Department of Conferences, University of Min- nesota, 211 Nolte Center, 315 Pillsbury Drive SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, (612) 373-3486. University of Montevallo, Montevallo, Alabama: "Scientific Creationism vs. Evolution: Impact on Public Schools." Early 1982. This program is aimed at freshman students, the university community, and the general public.
    [Show full text]
  • 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.
    [Show full text]