How to Defend Evolution Against Intelligent Design

The debate between intelligent design and evolution is often poorly understood and, worse, misrepresented. In order to have an intellectually honest debate, such misconceptions about evolution must be resolved. The following steps lay out some basic tenants of evolution and the common arguments used in support of intelligent design, giving you some useful talking points and a basis from which to refute the “teach both sides” argument.

Instructions

How to Defend Evolution Against Intelligent Design

1. One of the arguments against evolution's credibility is that it is only a theory that hasn't been proven. Evolution isn’t a theory in the colloquil sense. It is a scientific fact that can be demonstrated both in the lab and in the real world. Examples of this include the ways in which bacteria and viruses adapt to medication. The reason you need to get a different flu shot every year is because the virus has evolved.

2. Intelligent design suggests that life is too perfect to have happened unless designed, and that the laws and structure of the universe are too perfect for humans to have come into existence by chance. While this is perfectly possible and it is true that science hasn't yet been able to explain such cosmological constants, it is important to note that the universe isn't exactly perfectly suited for us. 2/3 of our planet is inhospitable to life. More than 99% of species to have ever lived have now gone extinct. It also took billions of years for intelligent life to appear on earth. While an intelligent designer might still be possible, one shouldn't argue that it is because all the conditions on earth and in the solar system are just "right" or "perfect."

3. Evolution is sometimes dismissed because it is accused of being completely random. Evolution isn’t a result of chance or accident, as proponents of intelligent design sometimes suggest. Evolution is a specific result of how well certain individuals of a species are able to survive in a particular environment. Those with genes that allow them to survive longer are better able to reproduce and pass those successful genes onto their offspring. Genes that do not increase an individual’s odds of reproducing are more likely to be eliminated from the gene pool. There is a direct cause and effect.

4. Whereas evolution is supplied by a wealth of evidence, intelligent design is based mainly on the incomplete gaps in our current understanding of cosmology and biology. Intelligent designers are right to and should continue to point out the questions science has not or cannot answer. However, pointing out such problems in science doesn't therefore equal evidence against evolution or the big bang. It simply means that more work needs to be done.

5. Because of its lack of scientific evidence and support and the fact that intelligent design is substantively similar to creationism, if it is to be taught in public schools it is reasonable to teach it in a religious diversity class and not a class on biology. This is not because the idea of an intelligent designer is impossible but as to avoid violating the Constitution of the United States.When, however, more scientific date is available suggesting the presence of an intelligent designer, the notion of teaching this theory in science classes should be revisited.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember to respect the individual, regardless of whether or not you agree with what he or she is saying.