Intelligent Design, Essay Example

Introduction

Intelligent design is a theory which is in direct opposition to evolution, whereby all living things did not necessarily evolve, but were the product of an advanced design that enabled them to form almost perfectly (Miller). According to this theory, “the combination of nerves, sensory cells, muscles, and lens tissue in the eye could only have been “designed” from scratch” (Miller). In this context, intelligent design is a combination of elements which come together to form a perfect union in a living thing (Miller).

Body

Intelligent design proposes that there is a “designer” of all living things that is not easily understood, yet existed to create different forms (Access Research Network). William Paley addressed perhaps one of the most famous arguments for intelligent design in the early 1800s, although the concept had existed well before then (Access Research Network). In this context, a creator existed at some earlier point in time to create all things in the desired framework (Access Research Network). This theory does not necessarily consider God as the “designer,” but it may be inferred by some groups that God is the mastermind behind these creations (Access Research Network). This concept is highly controversial because it represents a challenge to evolution and the standard arguments which are accepted by many experts.

Conclusion

Intelligent design represents a challenge to the status quo regarding the theory of evolution and supports the concept of a “designer” as the creator of all living things. This concept is difficult to acknowledge from a scientific perspective because it does not consider the traditional nature of genetics and the passing down of genes and traits from one generation to the next. Therefore, intelligent design is in contrast to the theory of evolution and its significance in scientific circles.

Works Cited

Access Research Network, 2013. “What is intelligent design?” 3 March 2013.

Miller, Kenneth R., 2013. “Essay: Life’s grand design.” 3 March 2013: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/evolution/change/grand/