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 By Jack Lepiarz Nov. 26, 2005 I wrote about intelligent design earlier this year, but still feel like the issue needs some more clarification. Intelligent design is the controversial idea (theory is an incorrect way to describe it) that says that evolution could only have occurred through the intervention of an "intelligent designer," or an "omniscient being." It cites the many complexities of modern life (the eye, for example) as evidence for the incredibly complicated biosphere that now exists. However, I'd like to put the idea that it belongs in science classes to rest right now. Intelligent design runs into its first problem when it implies the existence of a God. This point has been touched upon hundreds of times, so there isn't much need to go into depth. Basically, the idea of God contains is unsupportable. It relies on faith alone. It cannot be reproduced in an experimental situation, and cannot be tested in any scientific laboratory. Therefore, it cannot be called science. Science is defined as, "systematized knowledge derived from observation, study, etc." in Webster's Dictionary. We cannot observe nor study God, whether he exists or not. That's a subject for another article. God is not science. 'Nuff said. Intelligent design runs into its next problem when it tries to discredit the "random pattern" (false) of evolution. Proponents of the idea say that life is too diverse to have happened by sheer accident (which it didn't), and the actual chances of life happening this way are similar to a tornado moving through an airplane junkyard and leaving a perfectly constructed airplane in its wake. This comparison is idiotic. The fact is that life did not necessarily have to end up how it is today. Hundreds of animals have gone extinct over the years, from the dinosaurs to the dodo. Survival of the fittest (most adaptable, actually). Evolution could have just as easily kept those animals around, leaving a completely different "airplane" in the junkyard. So, to sum up my point, it is absolutely true that the chances of life happening the way it did were rare. But, the chances of life ending up another way were just as rare. Life had to end up some way, and it wound up as the one we see today. Intelligent design's last problem is the entire idea itself. It is based on the idea that life is too complicated to happen on its own. Backers of the theory provide no substantial evidence to support their claim. They cite the eye, saying that the sheer complexities in it could not have occurred. Evolution is not an instant process. It can take millions of years, over which time tiny changes will take place, practically imperceptible. The slow change in skull structure from Cro-Magnon to Homo Erectus took thousands of years. The same goes for the eye. Over thousands, maybe millions of years, the eye slowly developed until it reached its current state. I will finish by reiterating the statement that intelligent design is nothing more than speculation. It belongs in a philosophy class, not a science class. Science deals with facts, not speculation. When you can call intelligent design a theory, then you can go put it into a biology lab. When you can successfully test for it (like with evolution), have substantial data to support it, and actually have some credible scientists back it, then go ahead and put it into my science class. Until then, let us learn in peace. ------------ About the author: Jack Lepiarz is a senior at Madison High School. Born in Waco, Texas, he lived with the Big Apple Circus for much of his early childhood, eventually moving to Madison, New Jersey, where he now resides. Although he is often described as stubborn and egotistical, he tries to keep an open-mind towards new ideas and treat people the way he would like to be treated. Email: Jackwuzhere42@aol.com Tell a friend about this site! ------------ All articles are EXCLUSIVE to Useless-Knowledge.com and are not allowed to be posted on other websites. ARTICLE THIEVES WILL BE PROSECUTED! |
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