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Fine-tuning

The Finely Tuned Genetic Code

Francis Crick regarded the genetic code found in nature as a "frozen accident." Yet more and more it is looking to be the case that this code is exquisitely finely tuned. Read More ›

A New Film, Alleged, Tells the Real Story of the Scopes Trial

Alleged stays true to the complicated story rather than, in the manner of Inherit the Wind, turning it into a Darwinian propagandist morality cartoon. Read More ›

On National Review Online TV, Berlinski Explains What’s “Disturbing and Moving” About the Big Bang

Are the Big Bang and the super-finetuning of the physical constants of the universe merely consistent with a Judeo-Christian understanding of creation... Read More ›

Peer-Reviewed Scientific Paper Cites Guillermo Gonzalez’s Galactic Habitable Zone as Evidence Earth is a Privileged Planet

In the previous post, I discussed a peer-reviewed scientific paper co-authored by engineer Dominic Halsmer titled “The Coherence of an Engineered World” in the journal International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics. The paper reviews the work of a number of leading ID proponents and concludes that from the macroscale of the universe, to the structure of our galaxy, to the microscopic features of life, nature shows evidence of design. Halsmer and his co-authors also look at various examples of cosmic fine-tuning, concluding that “[t]hese optimalities suggest the influence of a calculating intentionality or some kind of transcendent cosmic engineer.” One example given is the expansion rate of the universe: This expansion rate is very specific in that it Read More ›

Pro-Intelligent Design Peer Reviewed Scientific Paper Argues for an “Engineered World”

A pro-intelligent design peer-reviewed scientific paper has been published in the International Journal of Design & Nature and Ecodynamics by Dominic Halsmer, a signer of the Scientific Dissent From Darwinism and Dean of the College of Science and Engineering at Oral Roberts University. Titled “The Coherence of an Engineered World,” the review article looks at various facets of the natural world, particularly instances of cosmic fine-tuning, and argues that it is “engineered.” One reason the authors feel the universe is engineered is the fact that it is mathematically and scientifically comprehensible. Human-engineered systems are characterized by stability, predictability, reliability, transparency, controllability, efficiency, and (ideally) optimality. These features are also prevalent throughout the natural systems that make up the cosmos. However, Read More ›

Roger Penrose on Cosmic Fine-Tuning: “Incredible Precision in the Organization of the Initial Universe”

I have no reason to believe that the acclaimed physicist Roger Penrose supports intelligent design. But he’s definitely not afraid to take on critics of the argument for fine-tuning. In the video below, he explains that the fine-tuning of the initial entropy of the universe is this precise:

panoramic-view-of-planet-earth-with-copy-space-3d-render-cre-386153207-stockpack-adobestock
Panoramic view of planet earth with copy space, 3d render created with NASA textures from https://visibleearth.nasa.gov/
Image Credit: rangizzz - Adobe Stock

Praise from Scientists for The Privileged Planet

At the heart of the attacks on Iowa State University astronomer Guillermo Gonzalez is the book The Privileged Planet, which he co-authored with Jay Richards. We now know that Gonzalez’s authorship of this book played a role in his denial of tenure. It also provoked more than 120 of Gonzalez’s faculty colleagues to sign a petition in 2005 denouncing intelligent design and urging all other faculty members to do the same. Ironically, the book has garnered praise from an impressive list of scientists, including some prominent supporters of biological evolution. Consider just a few of The Privileged Planet’s endorsements and ask yourself whether the ideas raised in this book presented any kind of valid reason for removing Gonzalez from his Read More ›

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