The Intelligent Design Controversy: Essential Reading

Introductions to/Overviews of Intelligent Design Controversy

Intelligent Design?

A special report reprinted from Natural History magazine

This is the most concise, comprehensive, and readable introduction to the intelligent design controversy. Structured as a point-counterpoint with introductory and concluding analysis, it includes statements from many of the most prominent proponents and opponents of the ID movement, including Michael J. Behe, William A. Dembski, and Jonathan Wells (all pro-ID), and Kenneth R. Miller, Robert T. Pennock, Eugenie c= Scott, and Barbara Forrest (pro-evolution).

The Faith That Dare Not Speak Its Name: The case against intelligent design.

By Jerry Coyne, The New Republic, August 22, 2005

In perhaps the most thorough popular analysis of the intelligent design movement, a University of Chicago science professor offers a detailed review of the history of creation science and intelligent design and the scientific evidence in favor of evolution, including a critique of a prominent pro-ID textbook (adapted from an earlier creation science text), Of Pandas and People.

Scientific Critiques

Devolution: Why intelligent design isn’t.

By H. Allen Orr, The New Yorker, May 30, 2005

University of Rochester biology professor H. Allen Orr takes on the two leading scientific proponents of intelligent design — Michael J. Behe and William A. Dembski — and their infamous arguments for “irreducible complexity” and “specified complexity.”

The Flagellum Unspun: The Collapse of “Irreducible Complexity.”

By Kenneth R. Miller, 2004

Brown University professor Ken Miller confronts a central concept of intelligent design, “irreducible complexity,” by critiquing the favorite example offered by ID proponents: the bacterial flagellum.

Grow Some Testables: Intelligent design ducks the rigors of science.

By William Saletan, Slate, September 29, 2005

Slate’s national correspondent explains why intelligent design is really just a critique of evolution, not a competing scientific theory.

Religious/Philosophical Critiques

The Harmony of Faith and Science (PDF)

Panel of Experts sponsored by the Center for American Progress, June 22, 2005

Transcript of event held in Kansas City at which four local leaders discussed the intelligent design controversy and other scientific issues from a progressive religious perspective. Speakers included Jack Krebs of Kansas Citizens for Science, Myra Christopher of the Center for Practical Bioethics, Rabbi Mark H. Levin of Congregation Beth Torah in Overland Park, KS, and John Tamilio III, Senior Minister of Colonial Church in Prairie Village, KS.

God’s Chance Creation

By George Coyne, The Tablet, June 8, 2005

The Vatican ’s chief astronomer discusses the theological implications of both evolution and intelligent design and explains how the former fits with Christian theology.

Legal Critiques

The Constitutional Debate over Teaching Intelligent Design as Science in Public Schools (PDF)

By Anne Marie Lofaso, December 2005

In this paper, a legal scholar from the American Constitution Society offers an overview of the legal questions, precedents, issues, and debates surrounding the teaching of intelligent design.

McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education

Decision by U.S. District Court Judge William R. Overton

This landmark ruling overturned a 1981 Arkansas law mandating “equal time” in state science classes for “evolution science” and “creation science.” It is a clear and compelling analysis of the legal, scientific, and religious issues involved, including a legal history of the First Amendment questions surrounding public education, science, and religious belief. While focused on creationism, the parallels and applications to intelligent design are extensive.

Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District (PDF)

Decision by U.S. District Court Judge John E. Jones, III

This is the first case which specifically considered — and ultimately ruled against — the teaching of intelligent design in public school science classes. This case arose after fundamentalist school board members in Dover, Pennsylvania, tried to alter the local high school biology curriculum to cast doubt on evolution and promote ID.

Selman v. Cobb County School District (PDF)

Decision by U.S. District Court Judge Clarence Cooper

This ruling found that stickers placed on biology textbooks in Cobb County, Georgia , stating that “evolution is a theory, not a fact” were unconstitutional. The court concluded that the stickers were intended to promote a specific religious agenda and that they did so by distorting science.