Claim CI113:
Genetic algorithms and computer evolution simulations do not show that
intelligent design is unnecessary. On the contrary, those programs must
be designed themselves, and they require a designer to specify the
outcome.
Response:
- See the response to the claim that evolutionary
algorithms
smuggle in design in the fitness function. Modeling evolution
requires modeling fitness differences. Fitness functions often are
not designed but are taken from the real world. The exact outcome is
not specified in genetic algorithms, only the general requirements.
And evolutionary simulations have no intended outcome for the simulated
organisms at all.
- The fact that the programs are designed themselves is not relevant so
long as they accurately model real phenomena. They will not model
everything, of course; that is why they are called models. But the
fact that modeling evolution is done by designers has no more
implications for intelligent design than the fact that painting
seascapes is done by designers, too.
created 2003-7-6
