and where is that mechanism whereby "design" is processed into reality ... ?
Is it even possible to describe a mechanism without some knowledge of the designer? Although design is a concept quite easily understood, the thought of
intelligent design is something altogether different. Snowflakes are wonderful designs, but they require no intelligence nor deliberate action in forming. The Parthenon, on the other hand, required many man-hours of intelligent planning and deliberate work. But...the only reason we can say this is because we have knowledge of man and what he is capable of. Let's set up a little experiment and see how it plays out.
You are an
absolutely objective observer. You are studying earth. Nothing else comes into play. Earth-in-a-box, if you will. Now, the hemisphere in view is covered with nothing but lush, green grass. Grass is the only life form. No humans. No animals. No trees. No fish. As you scan the landscape, your eyes pass over the Parthenon, which is also there. Do you even notice it? Perhaps, but you can only surmise that it might be some interesting geologic formation. You have no knowlege of man. At this point you have knowledge only of grass. If you were a quick study, you would conclude that grass and the Parthenon are in no way connected. It's not until the other hemisphere comes into view, where all the humans are busy at work, that you can piece together the evidence and conclude the Parthenon is man-made.
This is a huge problem for ID, as I see it. Without some knowledge of the Creator, it cannot be shown that the "creation" is the work of said Creator, much less the mechanism used.
...and [the creation] could be guided by little green men from alpha centauri.
My thoughts exactly. I'd add that these little green men don't even need to possess any degree of intelligence. They may be accidentally creating all sorts of things everywhere they go. (You are obviously more versed in ID than I am. The ID "literature" I've read emphatically states god is behind it. Most often the Christian God.)
Getting back to the idea of god and the simplistic 'earth study' I mentioned above. It seems western religion's view of god is built upon our ability of self-awareness; that is, God is an all-powerful version of ourselves. If you return to seeing the grass-covered earth, with no knowledge of man (nor yourself -
absolute objectivity), you might think god is Great, Green and oozing with chlorophyl (rather than love). Just a thought.
This message has been edited by chicowboy, 07-12-2004 04:15 PM
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