Intelligent Design Debate
This paper deals with the topic of Intelligent Design. The main goal of this paper is to reveal the main issue and controversies regarding Intelligent Design. In order to achieve this goal properly, relevant sources of information were carefully analyzed and examined.
Intelligent Design is the opposing theory to Darwin’s theory of evolution. The advocates at the Discovery Institute claim that Intelligent Design does not make any religious statements. It says that design is considered to be the best natural evidence for life’s origins. Supporters of Intelligent Design also believe that the process of random mutation and natural selection is not appropriate for revealing life’s origins on Earth (First Amendment Center). Moreover, supporters of Intelligent Design believe that it is the only relevant approach for explaining the information-rich structures of biology (Dembski). Supporters of Intelligent Design state that they do not seek to instruct intelligent design, but they believe that teachers have the right to discuss this issue free from persecution. Supporters also state that science classes should include the criticism of Darwin’s theory. Supporters believe that the problem is that supporters of Darwin’s theory claim that Intelligent Design is the new form of creationism. That’s why they criticize Intelligent Design and are against of teaching it in schools (Discovery Institute Staff).
Critics of Intelligent Design State that this approach is the argument from ignorance because it is based on the lack of knowledge. Supporters of intelligent design lack knowledge and they assume intelligent cause. Critics of Intelligent Design state that school classroom must be religiously neutral and it is not appropriate to teach intelligent design because it is just another form of creationism. Authoritative warrants in opposition to Intelligent Design is that its supporters invoke a cause outside of science instead of providing appropriate answers. Substantive warrants are that intelligent design is based on the lack of knowledge and evidence. The evaluative warrants are that science education must not be compromised by Intelligent Design and school leaders should be careful with introducing this approach to the curriculum (Scott and Branch).
I suppose that Intelligent Design is not the new form of creationism. Creationism is based on the Bible, but Intelligent Design is based on the evidence, observation, and of course analysis. Some combined features of the natural world such as molecular machines in cells can be defined as products of the intelligent cause. Creationism, however, is based only on religious beliefs. The main topic of this debate is not based on religion versus science, but it focuses on scientific evidence and ways of its interpretation (Discovery Institute Staff).
I also believe that criticizing Darwin’s theory is not supporting Intelligent Design. These are two opposing theories that focus on explaining origins of life. Moreover, there are many scientists who criticize both theories. Nevertheless, both of these theories still exist and have supporters (Discovery Institute Staff). As for me, I support Intelligent Design because despite all the criticism this approach is more appropriate for explaining origins of life.
Works Cited
Dembski, William A. Intelligent Debate. 1st ed. 2010. Print.
Discovery Institute Staff,. Six Myths About The Evolution Debate. 1st ed. Seattle: N.p., 2005. Print.
First Amendment Center,. "Darwin Under Fire (Again): Intelligent Design Vs. Evolution | First Amendment Center – News, Commentary, Analysis On Free Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, Petition". Firstamendmentcenter.org. N.p., 2004. Web. 4 Apr. 2016. http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/darwin-under-fire-again-intelligent-design-vs-evolution
Scott, Eugenie C., and Glenn Branch. ""Intelligent Design" Not Accepted By Most Scientists | NCSE". Ncse.com. N.p., 2002. Web. 4 Apr. 2016. http://ncse.com/creationism/general/intelligent-design-not-accepted-by-most-scientists
