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This concept has been used by astronomer [[Fred Hoyle]] and biochemistry professor [[Michael Behe]] to argue against the idea of [[evolution through natural selection]]. A biological system could not make a gradual transition via small successive steps, unless each step provided an advantage to the species.
This concept has been used by astronomer [[Fred Hoyle]] and biochemistry professor [[Michael Behe]] to argue against the idea of [[evolution through natural selection]]. A biological system could not make a gradual transition via small successive steps, unless each step provided an advantage to the species.
Behe presents several examples of organs and cells which could not have evolved through natural forces alone due to their irreducible complexity. The gist of his argument is that
Behe presents several examples of organs and cells which could not have evolved through natural forces alone due to their irreducible complexity.
Behe introduced and defined this term on page 9 of his work, "Darwin's Black Box":
Behe introduced and defined this term on page 9 of his work, "Darwin's Black Box":
:Irreducible complexity is a "single system which is composed of several interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, and where the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning."
:Irreducible complexity is a "single system which is composed of several interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, and where the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning."
is a state of interacting components that could not function without all its parts. In particular, the term is used by proponents of [[Intelligent Design]] in the context of the claim that irreducibly complex biological systems cannot evolve.
It is therefore a state of interacting components that could not function without all its parts. In particular, the term is used by proponents of [[Intelligent Design]] to argue that irreducibly complex biological systems cannot evolve.