Intelligent Design: A Jewish View
In December, 2005, a federal judge ruled that the Dover, Pennsylvania, School Board could not mandate the teaching of the concept of Intelligent Design as an alternative to evolution in science classes. This case represented a clash between two irreconcilable worldviews: Theistic (that the universe was created by G-d to provide a home for mankind) and atheistic (that the existence of the universe and the development of life were nothing but accidents). Aside from the legal questions in the case, which of these views is more plausible in light of modern knowledge?
Q1.: How did the Universe begin?
Scientists today believe the universe was initiated about 14 billion years ago, when a single point exploded (the Big Bang). They have no clue about why this would happen, or whether it ever happened before. (Some speculate that other universes exist now, but are too far away to see or exist in other dimensions.)
Q2: If the Universe began without design, what is the probability that it could sustain life?
This question was discussed in the 2/9/05 Glazerbeam (1), but let us summarize the answer here for the benefit of new readers.
Scientists have defined the Fine-Structure Constant of the Universe, which expresses the relationship between energy and mass. In order for life to exist, the inverse of this number must be between 136 and 138; it is actually 137.36. If the Universe arose by pure chance, the probability of this inverse landing the right interval is virtually nil.
Q3: Is the Earth especially well-positioned for the development of life?
Life requires liquid water, and Earth is the only planet in the Solar System whose temperature permits it. In addition, Jupiter protects Earth from most asteriods and larger comets that might otherwise crash into our planet and destroy life. The Solar Wind (subatomic particles radiated by the Sun at enormous speed) would imperil life here, but it is deflected by the Earth's magnetic field. The tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation (23.5 degrees from a line perpendicular to the plane of its orbit) creates the change of seasons, which has been conducive to life.
Q4: Given the right conditions, could life have arisen entirely by accident?
The building blocks of all life (proteins and DNA) are extremely complex (2), so it is not likely that purely random interactions of molecules of water, carbon, and nitrogen (plus some trace chemicals) would have produced these particular substances. However, it is possible that other forms of life could have been produced by different combinations of these or other molecules, so we cannot deny the possibility of life beginning by accident.
Q5: Has the Theory of Evolution been proved true?
Scientific theories, unlike mathematical theorems, cannot be proved with absolute certainty. Accordingly, scientists consider all theories tentative, and subject to revision or even rejection if new evidence appears that does not fit an accepted theory.
However, since the Theory of Evolution was proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1860's, a huge body of evidence from paleontology, geology, zoology and genetics has confirmed the Theory, so that it has been accepted by virtually all scientists and universities around the world.
Q6: Does Evolution contradict the Torah?
Rabbi Moses Maimonides (known as the Rambam) wrote nearly a thousand years ago in the Guide to the Perplexed that the account of creation in Genesis should be understood metaphorically, rather than literally.
The Torah, in this view, is a spiritual message; for example, the message that G-d created the Universe for mankind transcends the means of creation. Though Man may be physically descended from apes, his divine soul distinguishes him from other animals.
The Theory of Evolution does not contradict the inherently religious message of the Torah. I believe that Maimonides would not have a problem with Evolution, had he lived to see it confirmed.
Q6: Should Intelligent Design be taught in American public schools?
Even though the hypothesis that the Universe was designed by G-d so that humans could eventually live in it seems most plausible, it is not a scientific theory since it cannot be verified by experiment or observation. The Creator, by His very nature, is independent of creation, has no attributes of matter, and therefore is not accessible by any form of human perception.
If philosophy were taught in public schools, Intelligent Design would certainly be among the topics considered, along with the writings of Aristotle, Confucius, Marx, and Satre. Given the state of American public education today, these subjects will properly remain the domain of college, rather than high school, for the foreseeable future.
The verdict of the District Court is hereby affirmed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)"Universes Happen, or Do They?"
(2) DNA consists of two strands of molecules in a linked double-helix, which separates and recombines during reproduction. I think that is a particularly Intelligent Design, rather than the result of millions of years of random interactions.
Q1.: How did the Universe begin?
Scientists today believe the universe was initiated about 14 billion years ago, when a single point exploded (the Big Bang). They have no clue about why this would happen, or whether it ever happened before. (Some speculate that other universes exist now, but are too far away to see or exist in other dimensions.)
Q2: If the Universe began without design, what is the probability that it could sustain life?
This question was discussed in the 2/9/05 Glazerbeam (1), but let us summarize the answer here for the benefit of new readers.
Scientists have defined the Fine-Structure Constant of the Universe, which expresses the relationship between energy and mass. In order for life to exist, the inverse of this number must be between 136 and 138; it is actually 137.36. If the Universe arose by pure chance, the probability of this inverse landing the right interval is virtually nil.
Q3: Is the Earth especially well-positioned for the development of life?
Life requires liquid water, and Earth is the only planet in the Solar System whose temperature permits it. In addition, Jupiter protects Earth from most asteriods and larger comets that might otherwise crash into our planet and destroy life. The Solar Wind (subatomic particles radiated by the Sun at enormous speed) would imperil life here, but it is deflected by the Earth's magnetic field. The tilt of the Earth's axis of rotation (23.5 degrees from a line perpendicular to the plane of its orbit) creates the change of seasons, which has been conducive to life.
Q4: Given the right conditions, could life have arisen entirely by accident?
The building blocks of all life (proteins and DNA) are extremely complex (2), so it is not likely that purely random interactions of molecules of water, carbon, and nitrogen (plus some trace chemicals) would have produced these particular substances. However, it is possible that other forms of life could have been produced by different combinations of these or other molecules, so we cannot deny the possibility of life beginning by accident.
Q5: Has the Theory of Evolution been proved true?
Scientific theories, unlike mathematical theorems, cannot be proved with absolute certainty. Accordingly, scientists consider all theories tentative, and subject to revision or even rejection if new evidence appears that does not fit an accepted theory.
However, since the Theory of Evolution was proposed by Charles Darwin in the 1860's, a huge body of evidence from paleontology, geology, zoology and genetics has confirmed the Theory, so that it has been accepted by virtually all scientists and universities around the world.
Q6: Does Evolution contradict the Torah?
Rabbi Moses Maimonides (known as the Rambam) wrote nearly a thousand years ago in the Guide to the Perplexed that the account of creation in Genesis should be understood metaphorically, rather than literally.
The Torah, in this view, is a spiritual message; for example, the message that G-d created the Universe for mankind transcends the means of creation. Though Man may be physically descended from apes, his divine soul distinguishes him from other animals.
The Theory of Evolution does not contradict the inherently religious message of the Torah. I believe that Maimonides would not have a problem with Evolution, had he lived to see it confirmed.
Q6: Should Intelligent Design be taught in American public schools?
Even though the hypothesis that the Universe was designed by G-d so that humans could eventually live in it seems most plausible, it is not a scientific theory since it cannot be verified by experiment or observation. The Creator, by His very nature, is independent of creation, has no attributes of matter, and therefore is not accessible by any form of human perception.
If philosophy were taught in public schools, Intelligent Design would certainly be among the topics considered, along with the writings of Aristotle, Confucius, Marx, and Satre. Given the state of American public education today, these subjects will properly remain the domain of college, rather than high school, for the foreseeable future.
The verdict of the District Court is hereby affirmed.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)"Universes Happen, or Do They?"
(2) DNA consists of two strands of molecules in a linked double-helix, which separates and recombines during reproduction. I think that is a particularly Intelligent Design, rather than the result of millions of years of random interactions.
posted by Gerald S Glazer at 10:01 AM
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