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| | A scientific or logical theory cannot permit any counterexamples. Therefore, the [[theory of evolution|theory of evolution by natural selection acting upon random mutation]] must be able to explain the origins of all things in terms of a purely mechanistic view. Although natural selection and common descent are both very well-supported by evidence, the ability of random mutations to generate higher levels of complexity remains in doubt. | | A scientific or logical theory cannot permit any counterexamples. Therefore, the [[theory of evolution|theory of evolution by natural selection acting upon random mutation]] must be able to explain the origins of all things in terms of a purely mechanistic view. Although natural selection and common descent are both very well-supported by evidence, the ability of random mutations to generate higher levels of complexity remains in doubt. |
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| | * Many cases of beauty, such as the staggering array of beautiful marine fish, lack any plausible evolutionary explanation. | | * Many cases of beauty, such as the staggering array of beautiful marine fish, lack any plausible evolutionary explanation. |
| − | * the [[immune system]] is irreducibly complex, as without one which is thoroughly developed, an organism would not be able to resist any infection<ref>Behe, Michael J. 1996. ''Darwin's Black Box'', New York: The Free Press, pp. 117-139.</ref><ref>[http://biology.creighton.edu/courses/BIO432/Evolution%2005.htm]</ref> | + | * the [http://www.pandasthumb.org/pt-archives/001108.html immune system] is irreducibly complex, as without one which is thoroughly developed, an organism would not be able to resist any infection<ref>Behe, Michael J. 1996. ''Darwin's Black Box'', New York: The Free Press, pp. 117-139.</ref><ref>[http://biology.creighton.edu/courses/BIO432/Evolution%2005.htm]</ref> |
| | * [[Jellyfish]] in [[Hawaii]] swarm to the beaches roughly 9 to 10 days after each full [[moon]], for no apparent evolutionary reason<ref>http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/jelyfish.html</ref> | | * [[Jellyfish]] in [[Hawaii]] swarm to the beaches roughly 9 to 10 days after each full [[moon]], for no apparent evolutionary reason<ref>http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/jelyfish.html</ref> |
| | * the fact that [[cicada]]s appear like clockwork every 13 years for some species, and every 17 years for others<ref>http://inside.msj.edu/academics/faculty/kritskg/cicada/faq.html</ref> | | * the fact that [[cicada]]s appear like clockwork every 13 years for some species, and every 17 years for others<ref>http://inside.msj.edu/academics/faculty/kritskg/cicada/faq.html</ref> |
| | * the migrations of butterflies and birds, and the mechanisms which allow them to navigate.<ref>[[migration]]</ref> | | * the migrations of butterflies and birds, and the mechanisms which allow them to navigate.<ref>[[migration]]</ref> |
| − | * The neck of the [[giraffe]]. Although the length of the neck can be explained by simple sexual selection, the presence of valves in the neck (which are necessary because of its great length) raises a question of how one could have arisen without the other being there first (see the irreducible complexity argument).<ref>[http://www1.pacific.edu/~e-buhals/GIRAFFE2.htm]</ref> | + | * The neck of the [http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/The_giraffe_neck_couldn%27t_evolve_without_a_special_circulatory_system giraffe]. Although the length of the neck can be explained by simple sexual selection, the presence of valves in the neck (which are necessary because of its great length) raises a question of how one could have arisen without the other being there first (see the irreducible complexity argument).<ref>[http://www1.pacific.edu/~e-buhals/GIRAFFE2.htm]</ref> |
| − | * The enormous gaps and lack of intermediate species in the [[fossils|fossil]] record. | + | * The enormous [http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/God_of_the_gaps gaps] and lack of intermediate species in the [[fossils|fossil]] record. |
| | * The development of feathers, which could not have conceivably "grown" from the scales of dinosaurs<ref>http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/40/4/687.pdf</ref><ref>[http://palaeoblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/early-evolution-of-feathers.html]</ref> | | * The development of feathers, which could not have conceivably "grown" from the scales of dinosaurs<ref>http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/40/4/687.pdf</ref><ref>[http://palaeoblog.blogspot.com/2008/02/early-evolution-of-feathers.html]</ref> |
| | *[[Pterosaurs]]; biologists recently stated that they could not have flown, but why then did they evolve wings?<ref>http://www.physorg.com/news142086647.html</ref> | | *[[Pterosaurs]]; biologists recently stated that they could not have flown, but why then did they evolve wings?<ref>http://www.physorg.com/news142086647.html</ref> |
| − | * The development of wings, as intermediary wing stubs would have no use, and be a competitive disadvantage. | + | * The development of [http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/What_use_is_half_a_wing%3F wings], as intermediary wing stubs would have no use, and be a competitive disadvantage. |
| − | * The [[flagellum]] a multi-part cellular motor which fails to function if a single part is removed is the classic example of [[irreducible complexity]] and cannot arise according to the theory of evolution.<ref>[http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/design2/article.html]</ref> | + | * The [http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/Evolution_of_flagella flagellum] a multi-part cellular motor which fails to function if a single part is removed is the classic example of [http://wiki.cotch.net/index.php/Irreducible_complexity irreducible complexity] and cannot arise according to the theory of evolution.<ref>[http://www.millerandlevine.com/km/evol/design2/article.html]</ref> |
| | * Variation in chromosome count (ploidy) is impossible in evolution. One member of a species with 2 sets of chromosomes cannot mate with a member with 4. Thus, for the chromosome count of a species to change (and thus account for the variety of counts in nature) a vast portion of a species would have to evolve a new chromosome set simultaneously. | | * Variation in chromosome count (ploidy) is impossible in evolution. One member of a species with 2 sets of chromosomes cannot mate with a member with 4. Thus, for the chromosome count of a species to change (and thus account for the variety of counts in nature) a vast portion of a species would have to evolve a new chromosome set simultaneously. |
| | * Symbiosis - There are many examples where creatures rely on each other to survive which could not arise through evolution. Grass cannot survive without a certain fungus that helps it fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and the fungus can't survive without the grass. They must have appeared on earth at the same time.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070410084136.htm]</ref> | | * Symbiosis - There are many examples where creatures rely on each other to survive which could not arise through evolution. Grass cannot survive without a certain fungus that helps it fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and the fungus can't survive without the grass. They must have appeared on earth at the same time.<ref>[http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/04/070410084136.htm]</ref> |