Let’s make a list of what we know so far of the universe and can observe with our senses and instruments. Although we do not know yet their origin, we have observed in nature: nuclear particles, forming atoms, atoms forming molecules, nuclear forces, how they interact, chemistry and how it makes more complicated structures, cells which replicate and multiply and become more complicated. We observe very complicated structures, which have evolved over a long, long, time and resulted on life on this planet. We do not know (yet) how that happened. Here are the two main choices we can look at.
1. We assume there is a Supernatural intelligence of unknown origin, who created the natural particles and natural forces described above and then designed life as we know it.
2. Random combinations of the particles and forces over a long time that resulted in the observable life forms, alive or extinct we observe to day.
The first choice has no basis in observation and is purely speculation. The difficulty raised by the opponents of no 2 is that, if you calculate the odds of a single DNA molecule arising by nature by trying all the combinations of interaction of atoms and molecules, even if you tried a million different combinations per second, the universe is not old enough to have that happen and since it happened, we are here after all, it must be an imaginary supernatural force who did it. This totally arbitrary conclusion, is due to the misunderstanding of the nature of probability. A quick example: look at our lotteries. If the odds are one million to one it does not take one million draws before someone wins. It might be won on the first draw! (Please type “Probability of Evolution” in the search box on the Home page of my website then click on the heading, for further explanation about Probability). Random development also explains why life is not perfect, why over 90% of all species we observe, went extinct and why we have so many diseases and imperfection, spontaneous abortions etc. which would be hard to explain if what we observe is the result of an imaginary Super Intelligent Deity’s creation.
Now, setting aside our natural tendency of cognitive dissonance, which we all suffer from to some extend, and make an honest, unbiased judgment, which choice sounds more logical? You be the judge.
1. We assume there is a Supernatural intelligence of unknown origin, who created the natural particles and natural forces described above and then designed life as we know it.
2. Random combinations of the particles and forces over a long time that resulted in the observable life forms, alive or extinct we observe to day.
The first choice has no basis in observation and is purely speculation. The difficulty raised by the opponents of no 2 is that, if you calculate the odds of a single DNA molecule arising by nature by trying all the combinations of interaction of atoms and molecules, even if you tried a million different combinations per second, the universe is not old enough to have that happen and since it happened, we are here after all, it must be an imaginary supernatural force who did it. This totally arbitrary conclusion, is due to the misunderstanding of the nature of probability. A quick example: look at our lotteries. If the odds are one million to one it does not take one million draws before someone wins. It might be won on the first draw! (Please type “Probability of Evolution” in the search box on the Home page of my website then click on the heading, for further explanation about Probability). Random development also explains why life is not perfect, why over 90% of all species we observe, went extinct and why we have so many diseases and imperfection, spontaneous abortions etc. which would be hard to explain if what we observe is the result of an imaginary Super Intelligent Deity’s creation.
Now, setting aside our natural tendency of cognitive dissonance, which we all suffer from to some extend, and make an honest, unbiased judgment, which choice sounds more logical? You be the judge.
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