Life is a work of art. The universe is a work of art.
ago. It's one of those breakthroughs in Intelligent Design Theory that you never see reported in the evil atheist media.
Dr Adequate writes:
* Adopts ID pose, dons Magical Hat of Analogy, says the mystic occult words "
Petitio principii!" *
Designed objects fall into two categories. First, there are those which are
useful. Now the Earth and its ecosystem are not evidently
in use. Moreover, so far as we are aware, no design theorist has ever even postulated a use that the Designer (or the Owner) might have for a life-bearing planet, still less shown positive evidence that it has one.
What is it supposed to be for, after all? Is it a manufactory? A conveyance? A utensil? It seems ill-adapted for any purpose.
Experience teaches us that when an object is well designed, but has no practical purpose, it is intended to be
ornamental. The Earth, we know, is well-designed. From the fact that the Earth has no conceivable use, it follows that the Earth must fall into the second category. The Earth must be an ornament, a decoration, a work of art.
Hence we have a strong and testable prediction: that the Earth should, in fact, be ornamental. Now the Earth, I think everyone will conceed, is quite stunningly beautiful; and it is noteworthy that the principal exceptions are those parts which have been modified by humanity for practical purposes. Similarly, all our experience teaches us that the most highly ornamental objects are never intended for practical purposes.
To summarize our findings: the Earth has no apparent use; it is evidently highly ornamental; hence it is an ornament.
This deduction is in line with other sciences which deal with the study of design, such as archaeology. If an archaeologist were to unearth an item which was evidently designed, which showed no signs of use, had no conceivable practical use, and was unarguably very beautiful, then that archaeologist would classify it as ornamental in function.
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I wonder how many other people in the Wonderful Scientific World Of ID have come to this conclusion? I wonder how much ink has been expended over this point?
I wonder ... and I can guess.
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