THE STATEMENTS

1. THE STATEMENTS • Evolution is only a theory. Let’s be open minded and teach other theories in Biology class. • No one has ever observed evolution. • There are no transitional fossils. • The fossil record is the result of one catastrophic event. Noah’s Flood? • Complex Systems could not have evolved.

2. Evolution As Fact – The Observable Evidence • Scientists have observed changing gene frequencies in modern populations – moths, fruit flies, etc. • Patterns of Similarity – homologies. Example: all tetrapods (land animals) have the same limb bones just modified for different functions. • There are speciation events and transitional fossils preserved in the rock record. Example: Archeopteryx, a perfect intermediate between birds and dinosaurs. • Ancestor – Descendant Lineages: In each step back the species look less and less like the modern representative. • The Fossil Record – A sequence of faunas and floras that could not have been produced by a single event.

3. Evolution As Fact – The Observable Evidence • 6) Oddities of Nature • a) Structural Oddities – The Panda’s Thumb: Imperfect design a sign of evolution (has to build on what is already there). • b) Vestigial Organs – Only make sense in an evolutionary framework. • c) Biogeographic Oddities – Patterns of organism occurrence, especially in archipeligoes.

4. Evolution as Theory: • Darwin’s Theory of Evolution By Natural Selection • “Descent With Modification” • Organisms Vary • Variation is random & inexhaustible – produced by mutation & sexual recombination. • Different variants have different fitness (ability to better utilize resources & produce more offspring). • Variation is heritable. • Filter variation through a world with limited resources. • “Survival of the fittest” • 5) Natural selection is a deterministic process – Chooses the variants that are best suited at any one time. These variations are passed on. Produces Adaptation.

5. Intelligent Design: • Some biological systems are too complex to be produced by evolution. They show evidence of intelligence in their design. • Originally called the “Argument from Design” by William Paley in 1802. • Idea was gradually discarded by both scientists and clergy as biological systems were studied and understood. • Re-invented as Intelligent Design by Dembski, Behe, Wells. • These scientists/academics claim that scientific evidence shows intelligence in biological system design

6. Intelligent Design • Dembski – Specified Complexity. Systems that do not arise by chance or natural law must be designed by an intelligent creator. • Behe – Irreducible Complexity. Since some systems won’t function without all their working parts, natural selection (working incrementally) could not have produced them. • Wells – Punches holes in evolutionary arguments. Mostly focuses on lack of permanent large scale transitions in ecological time

7. Intelligent Design: The Rebuttal by Scientists • Dembski – Specified Complexity. • a) Natural Selection is neither just chance nor natural law but a combination of random and deterministic processes. • b) There are no pre-known patterns to compare biological systems to. • 2) Behe – Irreducible Complexity. • Structures and systems initially served other functions and have been co-opted into today’s function • Wells – Lack of macroevolution in ecological time. • Cannot only examine evolution over a lifetime. Must use fossil record, molecular clocks, extrapolation.

8. SOME IMPORTANT QUESTIONS • TO ASK YOURSELF • Is ID Science or Religion? • a) If discussion makes you uncomfortable, why? Would you be uncomfortable in any other comparison of scientific hypotheses? Points to Religion. b) If not evolution, and design is correct, design by whom? Do you accept Hindu or Buddhist or Raelian Gods or philosophy as origin of design? If it has to be Judeo/Christian, your motivations are probably faith based.

9. 2) Is Evolution/ ID a Real Controversy? Not among scientists. Only among politicians and the public. 3) Should religion be part of a science classroom? We know that religion is fundamental to our society. BUT – it should be separated from science for everyone’s benefit. Do you want science testing your faith in God? Of course not!

10. 4) If your not convinced that evolution has occurred or you still feel uncomfortable, what should you do? The key to a better understanding of any topic is knowledge. You are part of a University system that thrives on the teaching and learning of diverse viewpoints and ideas, so….. Don’t cover your eyes & ears! Take more courses in science & religion! Read books, Use the internet – LEARN MORE!

11. Night Comes to the Cretaceous By James L. Powell

12. Night Comes to the Cretaceous By James L. Powell 1) For Thursday – Prologue and Chapter One. 2) What to Do While Reading: a) What is the main problem that the book is focused on? Why was it unsolved for so long? b) Look for examples of the main themes that we have been discussing in class all semester. Example: Uniformitarianism vs. Catastrophism. c) How do different scientific disciplines come together to solve a complex problem? Why is an interdisciplinary approach so important? d) Take Notes on important points.