Difference between revisions of "Counterexamples to Evolution"
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(assuming these are all independent events (which is probably reasonable), then the probability that none are incorrect (at least one is correct) is P(incorrect)^n; P=0.95, n=14; 0.95^14 = 0.0488;) |
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The [[theory of evolution]] cannot permit any "counterexamples," or examples of things that could not have evolved. As in logic, the existence of merely one counterexample disproves the truth of the rule. | The [[theory of evolution]] cannot permit any "counterexamples," or examples of things that could not have evolved. As in logic, the existence of merely one counterexample disproves the truth of the rule. | ||
| − | The following are some counterexamples to evolution. If just one is correct, then logically the theory of evolution must be false. If there is merely a 5% chance that each example is correct, then the odds of at least one of the following counterexamples being correct is nearly | + | The following are some counterexamples to evolution. If just one is correct, then logically the theory of evolution must be false. If there is merely a 5% chance that each example is correct, then the odds of at least one of the following counterexamples being correct is nearly 50%.<ref>At 14 examples each with a 5% probability of being correct, then the odds of at least one being correct is 0.95<sup>14</sup> = 0.49 = 49%</ref> |
* beautiful autumn foliage, which lacks any plausible evolutionary explanation | * beautiful autumn foliage, which lacks any plausible evolutionary explanation | ||
* the [[whale]], which has no plausible ancestor ([[Charles Darwin]] suggested black bears) | * the [[whale]], which has no plausible ancestor ([[Charles Darwin]] suggested black bears) | ||
* the [[eye]], which lacks a plausible pathway for incremental evolution | * the [[eye]], which lacks a plausible pathway for incremental evolution | ||
| − | * | + | * bloodclotting, which also lacks a plausible pathway for incremental evolution |
* the [[immune system]] is irreducible complex, as without a completely developed one a creature would die from any microbe that it was infected by<ref>Behe, Michael J. 1996. ''Darwin's Black Box'', New York: The Free Press, pp. 117-139.</ref> | * the [[immune system]] is irreducible complex, as without a completely developed one a creature would die from any microbe that it was infected by<ref>Behe, Michael J. 1996. ''Darwin's Black Box'', New York: The Free Press, pp. 117-139.</ref> | ||
* [[Jellyfish]] in [[Hawaii]], which swarm to the beaches precisely 9 to 10 days after each full [[moon]]<ref>http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/jelyfish.html</ref> | * [[Jellyfish]] in [[Hawaii]], which swarm to the beaches precisely 9 to 10 days after each full [[moon]]<ref>http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/jelyfish.html</ref> | ||
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* The enormous gaps in the [[fossils|fossil]] record. | * The enormous gaps 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> | * 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> | ||
| − | * The [[flagellum]] | + | * 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. |
| − | * Symbiosis - There are many examples where creatures rely on each other to survive which could not arise through evolution. Flowering plants need bees in order to spread pollen but bees cannot survive without the nectar from flowering plants. Therefore the bees and plants must have arisen at the same time. Likewise, grass cannot survive without a certain fungus that helps it fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and the fungus can't survive without the grass. Again, they must have appeared on earth at the same time. | + | * Symbiosis - There are many examples where creatures rely on each other to survive which could not arise through evolution. Flowering plants need bees in order to spread pollen but bees cannot survive without the nectar from flowering plants. Therefore the bees and plants must have arisen at the same time. Likewise, grass cannot survive without a certain fungus that helps it fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and the fungus can't survive without the grass. Again, they must have appeared on earth at the same time. |
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== References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 17:37, October 26, 2008
The theory of evolution cannot permit any "counterexamples," or examples of things that could not have evolved. As in logic, the existence of merely one counterexample disproves the truth of the rule.
The following are some counterexamples to evolution. If just one is correct, then logically the theory of evolution must be false. If there is merely a 5% chance that each example is correct, then the odds of at least one of the following counterexamples being correct is nearly 50%.[1]
- beautiful autumn foliage, which lacks any plausible evolutionary explanation
- the whale, which has no plausible ancestor (Charles Darwin suggested black bears)
- the eye, which lacks a plausible pathway for incremental evolution
- bloodclotting, which also lacks a plausible pathway for incremental evolution
- the immune system is irreducible complex, as without a completely developed one a creature would die from any microbe that it was infected by[2]
- Jellyfish in Hawaii, which swarm to the beaches precisely 9 to 10 days after each full moon[3]
- cicada that appear like clockwork every 13 years for some species, and every 17 years for others[4]
- migratory powers of butterflies and birds[5]
- The neck of the giraffe.
- The enormous gaps in the fossil record.
- The development of feathers, which could not have conceivably "grown" from the scales of dinosaurs[6]
- 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.
- Symbiosis - There are many examples where creatures rely on each other to survive which could not arise through evolution. Flowering plants need bees in order to spread pollen but bees cannot survive without the nectar from flowering plants. Therefore the bees and plants must have arisen at the same time. Likewise, grass cannot survive without a certain fungus that helps it fix nitrogen from the atmosphere and the fungus can't survive without the grass. Again, they must have appeared on earth at the same time.
References
- ↑ At 14 examples each with a 5% probability of being correct, then the odds of at least one being correct is 0.9514 = 0.49 = 49%
- ↑ Behe, Michael J. 1996. Darwin's Black Box, New York: The Free Press, pp. 117-139.
- ↑ http://www.aloha.com/~lifeguards/jelyfish.html
- ↑ http://inside.msj.edu/academics/faculty/kritskg/cicada/faq.html
- ↑ migration
- ↑ http://icb.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/reprint/40/4/687.pdf