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This question reflects a narrow view of how science works. Things in science can be studied even if they cannot be directly observed or experimented on. Archeologists study past cultures by examining the artifacts those cultures left behind. . . . Something that happened in the past is thus not "off limits" for scientific study. Hypotheses can be made about such phenomena, and these hypotheses can be tested and can lead to solid conclusions.<ref>http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/evol5.html</ref>

This question reflects a narrow view of how science works. Things in science can be studied even if they cannot be directly observed or experimented on. Archaeologists study past cultures by examining the artifacts those cultures left behind. . . . Something that happened in the past is thus not "off limits" for scientific study. Hypotheses can be made about such phenomena, and these hypotheses can be tested and can lead to solid conclusions.<ref>http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/evolution98/evol5.html</ref>

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Formal design detection is not often used.  Design detection methodology is not often employed because the human mind has an inherent capacity to distinguish between patterns arranged by a mind for a purpose and those that have not.  Scientists have found that minds engage in subconscious pattern matching, which is a means of intuitively distinguishing between designs and occurrences.

Formal design detection is not often used.  Design detection methodology is not often employed because the human mind has an inherent capacity to distinguish between patterns arranged by a mind for a purpose and those that have not.  Scientists have found that minds engage in subconscious pattern matching, which is a means of intuitively distinguishing between designs and occurrences.

   

   

Formal analysis is employed when a dispute arises about the cause of a pattern.  Examples include investigations of deaths and peculiar fires that look for signs of murder or arson. Archeologists debate over whether a rock is a rock or an artifact.  Astronomers analyze radio and light waves in search of messages from alien minds.  So far all of the tests of extraterrestrial radio waves for intelligence have been negative.  The cause of life and its diversity are major areas of dispute as much is at stake.  Religious and other world views depend on the best explanation for those events.

Formal analysis is employed when a dispute arises about the cause of a pattern.  Examples include investigations of deaths and peculiar fires that look for signs of murder or arson. Archaeologists debate over whether a rock is a rock or an artifact.  Astronomers analyze radio and light waves in search of messages from alien minds.  So far all of the tests of extraterrestrial radio waves for intelligence have been negative.  The cause of life and its diversity are major areas of dispute as much is at stake.  Religious and other world views depend on the best explanation for those events.

====Formal Design Detection -- ''The Explanatory Filter''====

====Formal Design Detection -- ''The Explanatory Filter''====

'''Forensic sciences''':  Forensic scientists use design detection when they consider observable evidence of an historic unrepeatable event such as a crime.  For example, a forensic investigator investigating a death uses scientific evidence to determine whether the death was caused by unintelligent causes (i.e., by accident), or by intelligent causes (i.e., murder).

'''Forensic sciences''':  Forensic scientists use design detection when they consider observable evidence of an historic unrepeatable event such as a crime.  For example, a forensic investigator investigating a death uses scientific evidence to determine whether the death was caused by unintelligent causes (i.e., by accident), or by intelligent causes (i.e., murder).

'''Archeology''':  Archeologists are virtually dependent upon the science of design detection.  Working with present-day evidence left from the past, archaeologists seek to determine whether artifacts were caused by unintelligent causes (i.e., clay) or intelligent causes (i.e., a clay pot).  

'''Archeology''':  Archaeologists are virtually dependent upon the science of design detection.  Working with present-day evidence left from the past, archaeologists seek to determine whether artifacts were caused by unintelligent causes (i.e., clay) or intelligent causes (i.e., a clay pot).  

'''Cryptanalysis''':  Cryptanalysis is the scientific endeavor of code breaking.  Code breakers examine the observable evidence of a string or pattern of characters to determine if it contains a message or if it is simply a string of random, meaningless characters.

'''Cryptanalysis''':  Cryptanalysis is the scientific endeavor of code breaking.  Code breakers examine the observable evidence of a string or pattern of characters to determine if it contains a message or if it is simply a string of random, meaningless characters.

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This question reflects a narrow view of how science works. Things in science can be studied even if they cannot be directly observed or experimented on. Archeologists study past cultures by examining the artifacts those cultures left behind. . . . Something that happened in the past is thus not "off limits" for scientific study. Hypotheses can be made about such phenomena, and these hypotheses can be tested and can lead to solid conclusions.<ref>''Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science'' (Washington DC, National Academy Press, 1998), p. 55</ref>

This question reflects a narrow view of how science works. Things in science can be studied even if they cannot be directly observed or experimented on. Archaeologists study past cultures by examining the artifacts those cultures left behind. . . . Something that happened in the past is thus not "off limits" for scientific study. Hypotheses can be made about such phenomena, and these hypotheses can be tested and can lead to solid conclusions.<ref>''Teaching about Evolution and the Nature of Science'' (Washington DC, National Academy Press, 1998), p. 55</ref>

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