Common Ground on Bad Design

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

Continuing the discussion from Who is Right About Sinuses?:

An article from ENV (Discovery Institute) exposes some common ground. Critic of Intelligent Design Acknowledges: “Bad Design” Arguments Don’t Work | Evolution News They quote me favorably,

@swamidass

Though it is not the focus or precise argument of his book, Dr. Lents is often making a “bad design” argument for evolution. This is a common argument offered to support evolution, and Dr. Lents is certainly not the first to make it.

Having recognized that Dr. Lents holds to a very common view, I confess that I do not personally think the bad design argument is valid. In my view, it mistakes the quirks and “seams” in our body as errors, and makes a theological argument that extends beyond science. In contrast with the bad design argument, I prefer to insist science remain neutral and silent on theological arguments such as these, and see these quirks as biological mysteries that often reveal evidence of common descent, and non-intuitive details of how our bodies work. I know I may be in the minority among biologists in disputing the bad design argument, but I hope that could shift in the future. Nothing intrinsic to evolutionary science requires us to make those arguments.

Klinghoffer responds…

Very good — I like the language about “seams.” I am looking right now at the sweater I’m wearing, and it too has “seams” while at the same time reflecting someone’s intelligent design. Thank you, Dr. Swamidass!

Swamidass adds,

“Though the acrimony is not necessary, it is not surprising. These are the grand questions we are facing, and they are important.”

Yes, they are both grand and important.

I agree. It is good to find places of agreement, even across the divides.

[Patrick]

I still like Nathan Lents’ book “Human Errors”. It is a good read. Whether I was purposely designed this way or evolved to be like I am now, I am grateful for the ability of medical science and technology to “fix” the conditions that I have - a detached retina, a prostate that enlarging pushing into bladder, vitamin D deficiency, deviated septum, pulled Achilles tendon, torn ACL, and a degenerative disk. But other than that I was designed intelligently and perfectly according to plan by a designer who cares for me. If that were true I won’t need health insurance. I want to thank @NLENTS for coming to PS and engaging with us.

@gbrooks9 , @Eddie here is a plug for his book:

Human Errors: A Panorama of Our Glitches, from Pointless Bones to Broken Genes

[swamidass (S. Joshua Swamidass)]

I agree. The @NLENTS book in not about the bad design argument. His larger points were missed in the exchange with DI.