Science and Culture Today | Discovering Design in Nature

Today

Coyne and His Readers Attack Academic Freedom

_{Casey Luskin
September 17, 2025
10
Scientific Freedom}

It became clear that Coyne’s whole point was to gin up harassment of the journal so they won’t publish critiques of evolution in the future.

Great Science Cancellation Continues

_{David Klinghoffer
September 18, 2025
3
Scientific Freedom}

In the domination of science by ideology, by the myth of “settled science,” the stakes couldn’t be more profound.

Who Are You Talking to When You Talk to Yourself?

_{Geoffrey Simmons
September 19, 2025
7
Neuroscience & Mind}

A comment by a national radio show host recently caught my attention. “So, I said to myself, SELF! What would you do under these circumstances?”

Can Evolution Explain Altruism or Heroism?

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 20, 2025
2
Evolutionary Psychology}

Casey Luskin and I share separate recent examples of people who have run towards burning cars to save complete strangers.

If You Want Creative Storytelling, Look No Further

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 19, 2025
2
Uncategorized}

If evolutionary psychology attempts to explain every behavior, including each behavior’s opposite, can it really explain anything?

Origin of Life Isn't a Scientific Question

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 19, 2025
5
Origin of Life}

Some answers are Correct Groupthink but others will get you Canceled. It’s not clear that the current approach will enable many more insights.

The Cost of Defending Materialism Is Rising

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 18, 2025
5
Neuroscience & Mind}

Neuroscientist Àlex Gómez-Marín raises — in the very venue that hosts, say, Roger Penrose and Sabine Hossenfelder — the validity of telepathy research.

ID the Future

with Andrew McDiarmid

How Modern Physics Reveals Purpose in the Universe

_{2111
Elie Feder, Aaron Zimmer
September 19, 2025}

Scientists agree that our universe is finely tuned for the existence of life. But is the fine-tuning a happy accident or the result of foresight? On this ID The Future, host Brian Miller continues his conversation with Rabbi Elie Feder and Rabbi Aaron Zimmer, hosts of the Physics to God podcast. In the conclusion to their discussion, Feder and Zimmer explain why the cosmological constant is one of their favorite examples of fine-tuning. They also share the importance of exploring the teleological causes, or purposes, of natural phenomena. Using modern physics, say Feder and Zimmer, an objective justification for the purpose of the universe can be made. Enjoy this provocative and illuminating discussion! This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.

Why Evolutionary Psychology Can’t Explain Heroism

_{2110
Casey Luskin
September 17, 2025}

If evolutionary psychology explains every complex human behavior as well as its opposite, does it really explain anything? Today, host Andrew McDiarmid concludes his conversation with geologist and attorney Dr. Casey Luskin about which scientific theory of origins best explains human altruism, cooperation, and morality. McDiarmid recently engaged in some lively discussion under his recent article exploring scientific worldview in the Marvel universe. Specifically, some readers claimed evolution can explain human kindness, heroism, and teamwork. So McDiarmid turned to Luskin, who has spent time researching human origins as well as attempts to explain the origin of human behaviors. Here in Part 2, the pair zoom into altruism to see if evolution can adequately explain it. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation.

Which Origins Theory Better Explains Altruism and Morality?

_{2109
Casey Luskin
September 15, 2025}

Do evolutionary models adequately account for the reality of human altruism, moral conviction, and cooperation? Does intelligent design offer a better explanation? On this ID The Future, host Andrew McDiarmid begins discussing these questions and more with geologist and attorney Casey Luskin. McDiarmid's recent article exploring scientific worldview in the Marvel universe generated some lively back-and-forth in the comments section, particularly about whether evolutionary processes could account for humans looking out for other humans. Luskin tackles the question head-on, putting it in the larger context of evolutionary psychology's penchant for explaining every possible human behavior through the lens of a Darwinian past. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Look for Part 2 in a separate episode.

Latest Videos

Engineered for Oxygen

_{The Center for Science and Culture
September 1, 2025
Intelligent Design
Secrets of the Human Body}

Without enough oxygen, your body will die. In Episode 1 of Secrets of the Human Body, learn about the astonishing engineering of the body that allows it to harness oxygen’s power and keep us alive. …

The Common Woodpecker: Chance or Design?

_{Raymond Bohlin
August 25, 2025
Intelligent Design
2025 Dallas Conference on Science and Faith}

Biologist Ray Bohlin explores the incredible intelligent design of the common woodpecker. Dr. Bohlin is a Fellow of the Center for Science and Culture at Discovery Institute. This talk was presented at the 2025 Dallas Conference on Science and Faith. …

Secrets of the Human Body Trailer

_{The Center for Science and Culture
August 15, 2025
Intelligent Design
Secrets of the Human Body}

Premiering September 1, 2025, Secrets of the Human Body is a new YouTube series that will unravel the mysteries of the human body and explore its exquisite intelligent design. …

The Intelligent Design of Plants

_{Emily Reeves
July 14, 2025
Intelligent Design
2025 Dallas Conference on Science & Faith}

Learn about the incredible intelligent design of plants from Daniel Reeves, Director of Education and Outreach at Discovery Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, and biologist Dr. Emily Reeves, research scientist at the Center for Science and Culture. This talk was presented at the 2025 Dallas Conference on Science and Faith. …

Intelligent Design

Coyne Reacts to Pro-ID Paper with Question-Begging

_{Jonathan McLatchie
September 16, 2025
6
Intelligent Design}

The paper seeks to elucidate the plausibility of naturalistic evolutionary processes generating a minimal living cell.

Life, Like Technology, Requires “Something More”

_{Eric Hedin
September 4, 2025
5
Intelligent Design}

Even when formed to perfection, a violin will not “hale souls out of men’s bodies” unless a master musician draws the bow across the strings.

"A Kind of Intelligence Evident Nowhere Else"

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 1, 2025
1
Intelligent Design}

"There is the mystery of life itself. If scientists thought that its origin and nature would yield to scientific reductionism, they have been disappointed."

Postcard from Warsaw: Teleology in Science

_{William A. Dembski
August 31, 2025
1
Intelligent Design}

An English version of the debate, with Professor Sady's words translated into English, is now available on YouTube.

Historical Sciences

Origin of Life

From Dead Ends to Design

_{Andrew McDiarmid
August 7, 2025
3
Intelligent Design}

“Molecules,” chemist James Tour notes, “have “no propensity… to move toward life.”

The Unsolved Mystery of Life’s Origin

_{Andrew McDiarmid
August 4, 2025
2
Evolution}

How did life originate? For decades, many scientists clung to “primordial soup” models.

Remembering Walter Bradley (1943–2025)

_{William A. Dembski
July 23, 2025
27
Faith & Science}

I’m going to describe some of my personal encounters with Walter that are not in his biography. These I hope will bring to light the man in a fresh way.

Evolution

Has Michael Denton “Recanted” on Evolution?

_{Casey Luskin
September 16, 2025
15
Evolution}

Obviously, in asking about someone’s view on “evolution,” the answer depends very much on how you define that notoriously multivalent word.

Two Papers Apply “Darwin Devolves” to Cancer

_{Casey Luskin
September 15, 2025
14
Evolution}

One day in the mid 2010s, Ann Gauger and I received a message that an ID-friendly scientist was in town and wanted to meet us.

Evolution’s Stubborn Icons

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 12, 2025
3
Evolution}

By now, you might think that the icons of evolution that Dr. Jonathan Wells wrote about 24 years ago have been put out of our misery.

Paleontology

Luskin Answers Objections to Intelligent Design

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 3, 2025
3
Paleontology}

Dr. Luskin highlights a “large unbridged gap” in the fossil record between ape-like species like Lucy and human-like species.

Fossils as Magical Darwin Relics

_{David Coppedge
May 25, 2025
12
Paleontology}

Fossils can be handled in the present, but how they are used by evolutionists in stories of history resembles the practices of overeager medieval churchmen.

Cold Water on “Dire Wolves”

_{David Klinghoffer
April 9, 2025
2
Paleontology}

"These are not dire wolves," says evolutionary biologist Neil Shubin. "These are gray wolves with 20 edited genes."

Cosmology

God Hypothesis, European Style; Event at Princeton

_{Science and Culture
September 16, 2025
3
Cosmology}

In the faith context, the popular picture in America of what Europe is like — the land that God forgot — may need to be revised.

The Birth of Science and of the Cosmos

_{Andrew McDiarmid
June 15, 2025
2
Faith & Science}

Do we have to choose between science and God? Absolutely not, says philosopher of science Dr. Stephen Meyer.

12 Discoveries Point to Intelligent Design

_{Granville Sewell
February 27, 2025
2
Intelligent Design}

Michael Kent is a Fellow with the Center for Science and Culture and a recently retired bio-scientist from Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque.

Human Origins

Berlinski on Human-Chimp Differences and More

_{Andrew McDiarmid
August 29, 2025
2
Human Origins and Anthropology}

He challenges Stephen Jay Gould’s idea that the difference between humans and chimps is merely one of degree but not kind, calling this “utterly ridiculous.”

Hey Smithsonian, Make Humans Exceptional Again

_{David Klinghoffer
August 15, 2025
2
Human Origins and Anthropology}

Denying human exceptionalism is intended to make human visitors to the museum feel animal-like and without special dignity.

Calling on Smithsonian to Fix Errors to Be Mean?

_{David Klinghoffer
August 13, 2025
4
Human Origins and Anthropology}

The errors and biased oversimplifications of scholarly material all run in one direction: to persuade visitors that humans aren’t exceptional beings in nature.

Archaeology

More Discoveries Point to Neanderthal Intelligence

_{Denyse O’Leary
December 5, 2024
5
Archaeology}

This very ancient people we know the most about can’t be the missing link that many paleontologists are looking for.

The Joy of (Neanderthal) Cooking

_{Denyse O’Leary
July 30, 2024
5
Archaeology}

The Darwinian account of the human race would be much easier to believe in good faith if scientists could point to a clearly inferior and clearly human being.

Dallas Conference: Archaeology & the Life of Jesus

_{Titus Kennedy
January 19, 2024
1
Archaeology}

My presentation will explore archaeological discoveries illuminating a major event in the life of Jesus — his trial in Jerusalem.

History of Science

Darwin as a Prefiguration of Postmodern Man

_{Neil Thomas
August 25, 2025
17
History of Science}

Whether we like it or not, Erasmus Darwin’s simple and predictable world is no more, and we now find ourselves subject to a profoundly mysterious cosmos.

The Legacy of Baruch Spinoza

_{Andrew McDiarmid
April 2, 2025
1
History of Science}

Join host and geologist Casey Luskin and historian of science Michael Keas for a lively conversation puncturing a series of anti-Christian myths.

Conservation of Information: History of an Idea

_{William A. Dembski
January 20, 2025
30
History of Science}

Conservation of information” is a term that appears in both the physics and the computer science literature.

Geology

The Wonders of a Hard Mineral

_{David Coppedge
September 5, 2025
11
Geology}

Explore the features of a remarkable mineral erupted from volcanoes that is found in our teeth. How did it get there?

Plate Tectonics and Scientific Discovery

_{Guillermo Gonzalez
September 3, 2024
4
Geology}

Plate tectonics is important for advanced life in multiple ways and planets with plate tectonics are very rare.

Luskin: Our Intelligently Designed Planet

_{Science and Culture
November 3, 2022
1
Geology}

Dr. Luskin offers an additional design argument, this one aesthetic in nature, and takes questions from the audience.

Life Sciences

Fireweed: An Example of Intelligent Latent Design

_{Eric Hedin
February 5, 2025
7
Life Sciences}

The photo with fireweed in the foreground at the top of this article was taken by my father, Robert Hedin, at Mount Shuksan in Washington State.

Biological Information in Static Electricity

_{David Coppedge
December 5, 2024
5
Life Sciences}

The influence of static charge in pollination is one demonstrable case — not only for bees, but for moths and hummingbirds as well.

Plant Missile Technology: A Peek in the Armory

_{David Coppedge
December 2, 2024
5
Life Sciences}

Ballistic missiles are common in plants and fungi. Take a look at how they launch their payloads.

Neuroscience

The Cost of Defending Materialism Is Rising

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 18, 2025
5
Neuroscience & Mind}

Neuroscientist Àlex Gómez-Marín raises — in the very venue that hosts, say, Roger Penrose and Sabine Hossenfelder — the validity of telepathy research.

Even in Mice, Decision-Making Is More Complex

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 9, 2025
3
Neuroscience & Mind}

If it’s this complex in mice, what are we to make of simplistic representations of human thinking in pop psychology textbooks?

Near-Death Experiences Cannot Be Explained Away

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 8, 2025
2
Neuroscience & Mind}

In some cases, patients who had NDEs while in a state of clinical death report dates and numbers that are later found to be accurate,

Medicine

Killing for Organs — Who Could Possibly Object?

_{Wesley J. Smith
August 5, 2025
4
Medicine}

Three doctors promote the idea of “redefining death” to allow patients to be killed for their organs.

Organ-Procurement Goofs Threaten Trust

_{Wesley J. Smith
August 4, 2025
5
Medicine}

The “dead donor rule” is the cement that binds the public’s trust in organ transplant medicine.

Finding Purpose in Medicine and Science

_{Andrew McDiarmid
July 18, 2025
2
Medicine}

Ultimately, Dr. Iacoboni aims to help his fellow physicians escape the “suffocating boundaries of mechanism and materialism.”

Biology

Life, Like Technology, Requires “Something More”

_{Eric Hedin
September 4, 2025
5
Intelligent Design}

Even when formed to perfection, a violin will not “hale souls out of men’s bodies” unless a master musician draws the bow across the strings.

Eight Reasons Sex in Humans Is Binary

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 2, 2025
5
Reproductive Science}

Skeptics will eventually be forced to confront the problem: They posit laws with no lawgiver, principles with no foundation, minds from mud.

An Evolutionist Decries Private Truth

_{Denyse O’Leary
August 22, 2025
4
Scientific Reasoning}

Ironically, the ultimate origin of private truth is the materialism that you yourself, Dr. Coyne, espouse.

Physical Sciences

Physics

Physicist Sabine Hossenfelder Gets Canceled

_{Science and Culture
September 17, 2025
5
Scientific Freedom}

Her parting words: “A lot of research [in] the foundations of physics is now pseudocience. It hasn't followed the scientific method for decades.”

God Hypothesis, European Style; Event at Princeton

_{Science and Culture
September 16, 2025
3
Cosmology}

In the faith context, the popular picture in America of what Europe is like — the land that God forgot — may need to be revised.

“Conspiracy Physics”: Platforming an Attack on Dissenting Scientists

_{Denyse O’Leary
September 15, 2025
6
Scientific Freedom}

If physicists now “worry about the consequences” of long-term theory failure, it is reasonable to think that there are more serious problems in the discipline.

Chemistry

Postcard from São Paulo

_{Casey Luskin
July 23, 2025
4
Intelligent Design}

Kristin Marais spoke about “How to Make Chemistry Fun by Teaching Intelligent Design and the Origin of Life.”

Homeschool High‑School Science Courses

_{Brian Westad
July 16, 2025
3
Science Education}

Give your high‑schooler a course that sparks curiosity today and prepares them for the science of tomorrow.

DI Academy “Meet the Teachers” Zoom

_{Kristin Marais
May 28, 2025
4
Science Education}

If you weren’t able to drop by our booth in Florida, why don’t you consider joining our “Meet the Teachers” Zoom event on Thursday, May 29 at 5:00 pm (PDT).

Astronomy

An Icon of Intelligent Design

_{David Klinghoffer
August 6, 2025
2
Faith & Science}

If wokeness leads to promoting surgical sexual mutilation of children, maybe we need to rethink the whole thing.

Dave Farina Gives Avi Loeb the Hamas Treatment

_{David Klinghoffer
July 30, 2025
4
Evolution}

Farina was known to us before for his puerile attack videos aimed at intelligent design proponents.

Reflections on Astronomy in Iconic National Parks

_{Eric Hedin
July 3, 2025
5
Intelligent Design}

The most poignant evidence of design intervention on planet Earth is certainly life itself.

Fine-Tuning

Geometric Design in the Solar System

_{Eric Hedin
August 11, 2025
8
Intelligent Design}

My favorite example of such geometric design arises from the mean orbits of our innermost two planets, Mercury and Venus.

We Are Children of Light and Water

_{Andrew McDiarmid
August 10, 2025
2
Intelligent Design}

“In this vast range, there’s only one…infinitesimally small band which has the right energy for photosynthesis,” a prerequisite for human life. Coincidence?

The "Nature of the Universe" Puzzles Physicists

_{Denyse O’Leary
June 27, 2025
7
Intelligent Design}

The more physicists know about the universe, the larger loom some questions about ultimate realities.

Earth Sciences

Geophysics

Aurora Borealis: Scientific and Aesthetic Design

_{Casey Luskin
May 12, 2024
9
Astronomy}

You appreciate the aurora borealis or aurora australis because you were not created by strictly material evolutionary processes.

Geoengineering on an Intelligently Designed Planet

_{Tova Forman
August 30, 2023
4
Intelligent Design}

Scientists are still discovering how many systems, controls, and other aspects of planetary fine-tuning are in place to ensure that we have abundant life.

No Iron, No Life: Design in Iron Availability

_{Science and Culture
January 25, 2022
9
Biology}

As an exercise, count the number of lucky breaks that had to occur for the evolutionary story to work.

Environment

COSM Will Feature Nobel Laureate John F. Clauser

_{Science and Culture
September 12, 2025
5
Physics}

Discovery Institute’s upcoming COSM 2025 tech conference will feature something a little different.

Put Mother Nature on the Board of Directors?

_{Wesley J. Smith
September 9, 2025
6
Ethics}

Nature can’t “own” anything. That’s a human construct. Moreover, nature would be represented by environmental “flesh flake” radicals.

Even Scientists Starting to Doubt "Approved Views"

_{Science and Culture
August 28, 2025
3
Environment & Climate}

A recent Orwellian firing gives some insight into what happens when an academic collides with Political Correctness.

Rare Earth

Study: Geological Habitability Parameters

_{Casey Luskin
August 14, 2024
8
Rare Earth}

One thing that is likely to get some pushback is the study’s claim that modern-style plate tectonics on Earth did not commence until the Neoproterozoic.

Earth and Mars — A Rare Gem and a Sharp Contrast

_{Eric Hedin
August 5, 2024
9
Rare Earth}

Apparently, simple living organisms must exist for eons on a planet before more advanced life can thrive.

Rare Earth: How Vital Minerals "Evolve"

_{David Coppedge
August 29, 2022
4
Rare Earth}

It's intriguing that life as we know it depends on a seemingly un-natural distribution of minerals.

Planetology

Hope for Mars Life Is Dashed Again

_{David Coppedge
March 4, 2025
1
Planetology}

Subsequent landers discovered a high concentration of perchlorates in the soil. Perchlorates are chlorinated salts, often used in fireworks.

How NASA Might Change Soon

_{Science and Culture
March 2, 2025
3
Planetology}

There has been much speculation in the tech media over the current government shakeup.

God and the Odds of ET

_{Jonathan Witt
January 13, 2025
9
Planetology}

There is a rational and intellectually defensible strategy for maintaining a measure of optimism about the possibility of extra-terrestrial life.

Culture

Human Exceptionalism

Smithsonian Denigrates the Human Race

_{David Klinghoffer
August 20, 2025
3
Human Exceptionalism}

I have not yet heard that the Trump Administration is looking at what the NMNH says about human origins. But reforming the Smithsonian requires it.

C. S. Lewis and the Advent of the Posthuman

_{James A. Herrick
August 21, 2020
9
Human Exceptionalism}

In Julian Savulescu’s view, rapidly advancing brain science will provide some of the data necessary to shaping a better human race.

Oral Cavity’s “Lousy” Design Is Key to Speech

_{Science and Culture
July 5, 2018
5
Human Exceptionalism}

We’re constantly told that the design of the human larynx, trachea, and oral cavity is poor because it allows for choking on food.

Arts

Life, Like Technology, Requires “Something More”

_{Eric Hedin
September 4, 2025
5
Intelligent Design}

Even when formed to perfection, a violin will not “hale souls out of men’s bodies” unless a master musician draws the bow across the strings.

Toward a Post-Literate Culture?

_{Peter Biles
August 29, 2025
5
Arts}

Whatever one’s opinions regarding solutions for declining literacy rates, people can always start to brew change in their own lives and communities.

The “Music Model” of Consciousness

_{Denyse O’Leary
August 13, 2025
6
Neuroscience & Mind}

Gazzaniga and Queenan’s new model accounts for missing brain parts but it leaves out the very thing that creates the music.

Ethics

Did Brian Kilmeade Actually Say That?

_{Wesley J. Smith
September 14, 2025
2
Ethics}

We have to always remember that people who are homeless have equal intrinsic dignity as all other human beings.

Charlie Kirk and the Ultimate Form of Cancellation

_{David Klinghoffer
September 11, 2025
3
Ethics}

It's not just on college campuses. There are many public forums, including churches, synagogues, and city streets.

Charlie Kirk Died Debating

_{David Klinghoffer
September 10, 2025
3
Ethics}

That is a remarkable thing to be able to say about someone. He wasn't giving a speech. He was debating. And not just one opponent, but all comers.

Social Sciences

Can Evolution Explain Altruism or Heroism?

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 20, 2025
2
Evolutionary Psychology}

Casey Luskin and I share separate recent examples of people who have run towards burning cars to save complete strangers.

If You Want Creative Storytelling, Look No Further

_{Andrew McDiarmid
September 19, 2025
2
Uncategorized}

If evolutionary psychology attempts to explain every behavior, including each behavior’s opposite, can it really explain anything?

Murdered in Dialogue with College Students

_{Peter Biles
September 11, 2025
4
Faith & Science}

Kirk traveled the country and openly invited dialogue and debate among people with different views and backgrounds.

Faith and Science

Second Edition of Granville Sewell's Book Is Out

_{David Klinghoffer
September 12, 2025
2
Faith & Science}

Dr. Sewell wrote perhaps the most moving essay we've ever published here, under the title, "The Biggest Theological Objection to Design."

Murdered in Dialogue with College Students

_{Peter Biles
September 11, 2025
4
Faith & Science}

Kirk traveled the country and openly invited dialogue and debate among people with different views and backgrounds.

On the Murder of Charlie Kirk

_{Steven J. Buri
September 10, 2025
2
Faith & Science}

He was a champion of free speech, of conservative ideas, and of traditional values. And he courageously defended them in public forums and on college campuses.

Science Education

Homeschool High‑School Science Courses

_{Brian Westad
July 16, 2025
3
Science Education}

Give your high‑schooler a course that sparks curiosity today and prepares them for the science of tomorrow.

DI Academy “Meet the Teachers” Zoom

_{Kristin Marais
May 28, 2025
4
Science Education}

If you weren’t able to drop by our booth in Florida, why don’t you consider joining our “Meet the Teachers” Zoom event on Thursday, May 29 at 5:00 pm (PDT).

HS Biology and Chemistry with ID Integration

_{Andrew McDiarmid
May 21, 2025
4
Science Education}

The integration is key; the courses don’t just tack on ID concepts but place them directly where they fit with the underlying scientific understanding.

Scientific Freedom

The Wrong Tool to Fix Woke Science Journals

_{Wesley J. Smith
May 3, 2025
2}

The government has no business pressuring medical journals about their content — no matter how biased.

Hysteria in the Science Sector Over DOGE

_{Wesley J. Smith
March 30, 2025
4}

Whatever problems now exist for the public medical research funding sector, the disappointing Francis Collins helped create them.

Stand Up for Science or... for Naked Ideology?

_{Wesley J. Smith
March 12, 2025
4}

“Stand Up for Science 2025” protests were clearly aimed at reaffirming control by the now discredited science establishment.

Science Reporting

On Genetic (Dis)Similarity, Give Credit Where Due

_{David Klinghoffer
September 10, 2025
4
Science Reporting}

Would anyone know that the 1 percent icon has finally fallen, if we hadn't broken the story? It seems not.

Science Struggles with Reality

_{Denyse O’Leary
August 27, 2025
7
Science Reporting}

There seems to be little relationship between many science writers’ current concerns and the reasons that public trust in science has been steadily declining.

Introducing a New Design, and a New Name

_{David Klinghoffer
August 18, 2025
6
Science Reporting}

Conjoining science with culture, while it is the CSC’s calling card, is not our invention.