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Every feature article within WindowView's Science Area begins with questions followed by a short answer

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This Overview Page will pose a few overarching questions, give a short answer, and then provide a topical review which merely highlights points from many, but not all, of the feature articles. The summary is not conclusive but is directional. That is, this information points in a direction that one can glean from the overall content. So, if something interests you, there is a link to each article so even from this page you can go back to explore details.

The main conclusion is simple, life is special, it provides humans an opportunity to recognize this revelation even stems from nature and our being (consciousness and life experience). Material means alone do not explain how such an experience is supported without the presence of an intelligence at the source of being. Science, among other disciplines, can in fact point to this special or extraordinary aspect of being here. In the end, recognizing this ... means that you can continue to explore the other topics within WindowView and come to reasonable and logical conclusions about the relationships considered here. In day-to-day terms, these relationships may at times be denied or excused, but here they are emphasized with an eye on the future.

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This is more a series of sketches that give the sense and feel for what the entire Science Area examines in its feature articles (over 40 articles appear here). Be aware that these 'sketches' are not as hard hitting as the feature articles themselves!

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Questions:

• What have you observed from a look through WindowView?
• Is biological evolution a theory or a fact? What does the scientific evidence indicate?
• Is Paley's 'Argument from Design' or Dembski's 'Explanatory Filter' a means or a ploy to discredit evolution? Or does the presence of design tell us something marvelous about life's existence?
• How many different types of factors can be brought to bear on the question of life's origin?
• What do the multiple WindowView perspectives do to the standing assumptions and conclusions drawn previously from science and for evolution?
• And if an alternate view is correct, what impact should that have on our thinking today?

Short Answer

Indeed, beyond all debate, we see that life is hardly ordinary ... in fact, truly extraordinary! And that's the main point! That overall is the short answer!

The key text within WindowView's Science Area is its plain language narrative. This appears on the left side of the Science Area's 'Fast Track' window. The narrative is an overview for the numerous elements that converge on how life here—or anywhere in the universe—first appeared. There are numerous details glossed over or forgotten in the common accounts, in biology, in science in general, and in the mass media. A broader view allows for a comprehensive and true empirical examination to reveal the uniqueness of life.

Many scientists today will start their discussions on evolution with examples based on existing organisms—in a state of functional existence long after the fact of an origin—to see what patterns or clues from the living tell us of life's origins. But this jumps over a 'chemical origin' for life or past any accounting for how 'information' is incorporated into life. So, to step back before the fact of organisms (be they simple cells or more complex beings) means encountering difficulties. These difficulties, however, are also a special opportunity—its time for critical thinking!

If there is something unique and peculiar to the beginning of life, then why miss the point. The endeavor to reveal our origin is really an exercise that characterizes everything about our existence. If not in terms of older, passé, 'wishful-creationist' thinking, but put forth in terms of scientific evidence available in this age of technology, then do we still end up with a beginning that includes nonrandom and intelligence directed events. If so, then we've even surpassed some passé 'wishful-evolutionist' thinking!

The real crossroads here poses a dilemma—a vital need—to reconcile stereotypes that are long attached to the terms creation and evolution. Once an old bias on terminology is dismissed and an empirical approach is adopted, we end up with delightful challenges and the view widens!

Think of the data Darwin had available to him. Consider that even he, if alive today, might move on from his original thinking. Remember, it's his theory. Darwin did not provide a final proof text. With his look at the present evidence he'd demand a move ... and ask us why modern science and society is so reticent to drop a weak theory! And why not make the move once we've considered complexity, intelligent design, the improbable state of presumed spontaneous chemical origin, the wonder of the physical laws and properties that are set just so to make the universe a cradle for life, and all the perspectives laid out by the Science Area narrative.

Life itself is remarkable. Furthermore, scientific evidence strongly points to life as the unlikely product of the natural world [alone]. The media keep missing the point. Boards of education get wrapped around political questions and separation of religion and state. Textbooks stand on old assumptions. And yes, nature supports life's being ... but this situation itself does nothing to tell us about how life was first established.

Naturalistic means—to assume only a material process is the mechanism of origins—encounters problems. In addition to topics noted above, examples of these problems are many, including: the incredible coincidence of special conditions, confounding evidence along with a lack of science to explain chemical origins, the problems related to overcoming constraints posed by thermodynamics, and the improbable propositions associated with genetic mutations, chance, and randomness to drive evolution. Add to these the examples in support of intelligent design, irreducible complexity, a fresh look at embryology's evidence, the misguided notions presented as textbook icons of evolution, and the view begins to reveal new light. This summary page (below) briefly revisits many of the perspectives presented in the Science Area's feature articles. Each article adds to the larger WindowView.

Information is key. Evidence from science is information. But this is data ON information that is at the root of our material experience. No one can claim by scientific process how that information came into being. Claims do exist, but they don't stand without assumptions. Elsewhere, there is one source, from outside of science, that gives an answer [and we briefly touch on this source in the next feature area entitled: 'Window']. There is no assumption posited as part of this claim.

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From within science there are means to detect the intelligence behind that source. The perspectives drawn here converge on a simple horizon. We conclude life is evidence for the extraordinary nature of being. With this illumination we move to view other areas of the WindowView. Given what is already extra ordinary the remaining view is a continuation of a most remarkable exploration defining purpose and the promise of life itself.

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Consider This:

So, what conclusions can we draw from all the information in this part of the WindowView?

The Science Feature Area presents a series of topics that add layers of support of nonrandom conditions and an intelligent design for our universe, our earth, and even of ourselves. While we leave open the definition on creation, we can certainly reflect on the fact that our earth may be old, yet this is not the place where classical evolution took place. How do we come to this conclusion? In a word: [based on available] evidence!

The evidence draws on a multidisciplinary picture ... from astronomy and cosmology; chemistry, physics, and cell biology; paleontology; mathematics and information science; as well as philosophy, et al. The sum total builds a fabric that is flexible, interwoven, growing, and increasingly strengthened and all the while pointing to conclusions too important to miss. Our life experience must be explained in terms that are hardly the product of chance or coincidence ... something marvelous ... something that begs us to explore more — well beyond the material aspect of being here.

Finding classroom exercises are intermingled with misguided assumptions is not the fault of the information we recognize here. Avoiding the exploration that really defines our existence appears to rest on opinion and on material naturalism. In this regard, objectivity is lost to assumptions and interpretations stemming from these assumptions.

Why must we explain our existence in terms of what's socially acceptable when evidence leads elsewhere? Yes, we've reached a place where the working model must change — we've reached the place where the paradigm must shift — based on findings such as is highlighted by the following points. Note that each topic headline corresponds with a feature article presented in the Science Area's narrative. The statements listed here give only a hint to the nature of the article's content. The general impression you get by reviewing this page is thus a reflection of what is contained by a longer look at the WindowView. A technical summary of this area only comes by reading and considering the the details in each of the articles.

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Astronomy and Evidence From The Beginning [feature article link]

Science reveals our universe starts with a unique beginning event — something that agrees with rather than refutes the biblical story of origins ...

Cosmologists are amazed at the story, to the point of recognizing that unique factors (specific physical constants) are set just right to make life possible. The 'evolution' of the universe is so unique, this alone is reason to see design at work in the universe.

The more we seek distant planets and the more we learn about our earth the less likely it seems that any other place within the entire universe is situated to be a home to life — contrary to what Carl Sagan and others have groomed us to consider or believe.

Chemical Origins -- Yes or No -- What Does the Evidence Show [feature article link]

Chemical evolution and the chemical origins for life on earth face many problems— so far, there have been numerous attempts to explain life's origin from a primitive earth environment ... and thus far every avenue leading to an explanation finds a dead end.

What evidence is there at the dawn of life? Samples of the earliest rock tell their story.

Some of the rocks examined, such as those from Western Greenland, date back 3.9 billion years. This approaches the time when the earth first cooled to temperatures hospitable to life. In other deposits, dating back some 3.5 billion years, there is evidence for simple algae. From this evidence we soon realize the time frame within which chance chemical events (a.k.a. chemical evolution) can operate becomes incredibly short. Remember, most evolutionists presume immense time spans are required for even ancestral organisms to appear and gain complexity and functionality.

Thermodynamics and the Molecules of Life [feature article link]

Thermodynamics: this is the science of calculating energy requirements for chemical reactions. For early chemical evolution, this science offers an instructive exercise that reveals problems not always addressed by evolutionary scientists. Chemical components are not just tinker toys to be snapped together. Certain energy requirements must be met to make reactions go and thus produce life's chemicals. But favorable conditions, in thermodynamic terms, are hard to justify when looking at chemical origins and conditions on a young earth.

So, thermodynamics is a potential show stopper for evolution on earth. Even if basic ingredients are present, the energy requirements pose a significant hurdle. Further, there is a complexity to putting together molecules such that life will work properly. So, energy plus information need to be actively coupled somehow. And there seems no scenario to explain this in a simple physical system such as the primitive earth.

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Chance -- Probability Alone Should End the Debate [feature article link]

A probability analysis might be of great value to support evolution theory if the results turn up right. But when such an analysis is conducted, the opposite conclusion is reached ... that is evolution by chance events and gradual changes is improbable. This includes calculations indicating mutations do not lead to new species by chance as is commonly posited by the standard evolution story. It's little wonder probability is not taught as part of evolution science.

Humanity's Thinking -- Shifts Over Time -- and Darwin's Dilemma [feature article link]

... evolution theory was not without challenge. We rarely hear this part of history. We rarely hear about Darwin's struggle with the issue of natural evil. Did you realize he struggled with morality as well as the biology? Why didn't we hear about this in biology class? Yet the social environment in his day was primed to adopt the theory and was less concerned with critically thinking about the evidence. In some cases cardinal points raised in open discussion were simply excused. There was then a mix of philosophy as well as science at play.

Darwin's Doubts [feature article link]

Yes, Darwin stated doubts concerning evolution. Some were subject to his open expression. He saw the potential—from what he could mentally wrestle and grasp—for unresolvable problems. We should expect no less from an intellect that seeks to coalesce the big picture into a seamless vision. The WindowView feature article [click on link above] on this topic frames several of the issues related to Darwin's thinking on issues that [potentially or inevitably] confound his theory.

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Have You Ever Met Charles Darwin? [feature article link]

To get to know Charles Darwin is to hear about his schooling, health, thoughts, doubts, and achievements. None of this is integrated into the conclusions on evolution. Seeing and thus meeting the man puts us all on a level playing field. And further still, if we could help Darwin see the evidence of today, how would we still expect him to maintain the position he held during the mid-1800s. If he'd change his mind based on current evidence, why do we not change our thinking, too?

Bulldogs and Advocates Declare Fiction is Fact--But Why? [feature article link]

Among the early supporters of evolution theory were Darwin's "bulldogs." They are not simply historical figures, because names associated with current science are advancing the cause—and they would like you to think the theory is now fact. The philosophical arena is still with us. Perhaps this part of the story speaks to a subjectivity concerning world views that have nothing to do with objectively gathering data in support of evolution. Why do they do it—if not for science then it's for self! The impact of evolution on science and education risks our missing a full and remarkable view or the true nature of our being, our origin, and purpose. Declaring any fiction as fact serves no objective view.

When Science Fails to Communicate [feature article link]

Other WindowView feature articles note how material naturalism and Darwinism are founded in part or whole on assumptions. If assumptions influence the way science is conducted, then there is potential for science to fail.

-- First, to fail by lacking objectivity.
-- Second, to fail by assuming data will continually support a specific position, in this case evolution, because it's the accepted theory of the day.
-- Third, funding, research projects, and reports in published peer-reviewed journals all become subject to the frailties of assumption.

There is in this practice a long standing pattern within the business of science. Being aware of this practice helps to open new questions and to review of evidence previously interpreted by expectations without considering alternate possibilities. This is a failure to keep the floor open for discussion. This is when data are dismissed and when science fails to communicate—first within itself and second to the public at large.

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Old or Young Earth --Time: From the Beginning in Terms of Relativity [feature article link]

An interesting point made by Dr. Schroader points to Einstein's relativity to provide an explanation and a calculation [that works!] to demonstrate how six 24 hour days can contain some fifteen billion years time. In terms of science and Einstein's research, this works much to the surprise of many. That such a calculation resolves an old dilemma concerning the age of the universe also removes poetic license to put creation in context. This in turn puts science within the sphere of the creative will that makes the life experience what it is! The biblical reference to creation time is now matched by a bit of science ... the result is a seamless union.

Neo-Darwinism and the Age of Genetics [feature article link]

In brief, we'll make note here of what the transition point is between Darwin's original thinking and the neo-Darwinian synthesis put forth by scientists in the early 20th century. Science huddled up to make a new game plan and carried Darwinism further into the latter 20th century with some reforms made to the original theory. Genetics in its infancy provided one of the stepping stones leading to the neo-Darwinian movement.

Now, the molecular research brings still another new era, new evidence, and to a certain extent a silence on how the data work with or against evolution. The molecular data is not clearly, nor fully, further evidence in favor of evolution.

Time Required for Macroevolution to Occur [feature article link]

Macroevolution is essentially an extrapolation or extension of observations documented over much shorter timeframes (e.g., called microevolution or Darwin's special evolution theory). But this extension of what must have happened for macroevolution is an assumption. And the assumption is fraught with problems that science has yet to explain away.

Life appears to have taken hold on earth so quickly that virtually no time was available for chemical evolution to take place. Beyond this, there is no prospect for an evolution of information nor for chance to account for change in species leading from one major phylum of organisms to the next (as is suggested by a wide variety of tree diagrams). When calculated, the time necessary for chance to do the required work amounts to exceedingly more time than what has elapsed for the known universe from its creation—that is, from t = 0 to the present.

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There's a Difference -- Macro- vs. Micro-Evolution [feature article link]

Microevolution works over short timeframes, and stands in contrast to an inability to clearly document a working macroevolution. Plant and animal breeding which, in fact, reveal examples of intelligence at work in directing microevolution, much like the environment pressures the appearance of a different type of finch on the Galapagos. Most importantly, this feature article [click on link above] looks at what works and why. Here is careful consideration and thus not a blanket critique of evolution. This is an important point, one that allows us to discern what works in light of popular conceptions that may in part contain fictions. Indeed here is a place to see evolution at work!

The Lineage of Life Forms -- Tree of Life or Not? [feature article link]

Taxonomy—that so often seems to be solely described in terms of evolution—can be looked at from a different perspective to reveal hierarchies in life forms.

A taxonomic hierarchy presents a structured way of classifying organisms, to providing keys that help identify and separate forms from one another ... but at the same time this perspective also reveals that life forms exhibit a separation of types and not the unity of forms transitioning by chance from some common ancestral form. For example, Dr. Denton's writings on evolution explain this in a way to get us to flip the common assumptions around to see how classification does not require evolution to logically create a catalog of all the species.

Assumptions made concerning homology — as was the case of Darwin when he used the logic that relies on homologous structures to describe how ancestral life forms lead to modern forms—fails all too often to support Darwin's general theory (i.e., macroevolution).

Classification of a Hierarchy -- No Ancestral Lines of Connection []

As noted previously the 'tree of life' fails to capture the hierarchy that life forms exhibit as separate groups. With a bit of added thinking, a significant alternative surfaces as the hierarchy. Also, we note, species do evolve and evidence for changes at the species level can be documented, but at levels above species where a "typological model holds almost universally." (Denton (ETC) Page 105) This article will focus on how an alternate approach serves to arrange life in a hierarchy without many of the assumptions used by biologists. The hierarchy itself is somewhat like the organizational arrangements we've been taught, but with an interesting twist ... one that reveals further insights on life, its origins, and a perspective worthy of further consideration.

Evolution and the Environment [feature article link]

The concept considered here is an environmentally driven form of nonrandom variation (what you might call: 'nonrandom evolution'). This is something that appears to be demonstrated by the data scientists keep collecting. Yet even the newest data are commonly presented in the mold of the standard Darwinian story. If examined critically, there is another explanation that fits. Nonrandom variations in response to environmental stimuli ... and not random mutations... are driving genetic expression and change in species.

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Fossils -- The Rapid Appearance of Life [feature article link]

The fossil record — now very much more replete with interesting evidence reveals:

Life forms in key genera or phyla appear rapidly in advanced form (and this includes not only the Cambrian Explosion of invertebrate organisms, but also seems to be the case for fish, mammals, and even plants. With this explosion of biological life comes sudden appearance of fully formed 'body types.' All this within a span of something like 2, 3 or 5 million years? There is no time for gradualism here!

Life as unicellular forms appear as soon as the planet could be habitable for life.

There are so many opportunities for transitional intermediate forms of life to appear in the fossil record — to in turn say Darwin is right — yet transitional intermediates are not there ... Darwin's General Theory fails (that is to say no macroevolution has occurred over geologic time).

Extinction and Time []

Extinction 'events' are clearly documented in the geological and fossil records. Asteroid or meteor impacts—globally or locally—have had their impact on life at various points in earth's history. This article will examine some of the implications of these events in light of assumptions made for evolution over time. We often hear about the great extinctions of life (e.g., dinosaurs) but rarely are we reminded how these events cause problems for the time frames of gradualistic evolution.

Transitional Intermediates -- In Fossils or Life Forms Today [feature article link]

Is there evidence for these (numerous partial) transitional stages? If not, then where is evolution theory?

The short answer is ... there is a problem for the theory because the evidence is not easy or is impossible to find. If fossils are relatively abundant (in locations where they are easy to find), then shouldn't there be at least some degree of evidence for intermediates? If evolution works this way, then why not see numerous living intermediates leading from accepted species to unique forms beyond that species?

To be clear, scientists continue to think in terms of intermediates and reports of potential candidates appear all the time. But with some discernment caution is required for such reports commonly state the underlying assumption or expectation as opposed to presented hard conclusions.

DNA and Information [feature article link]

With information science in mind we take a look at DNA to find a discussion often over looked. Indeed where does biological information come from?

Ask this question in terms of chance ...
... even if chance mechanisms are at work — How does information evolve?

Then ... ask the same question in terms of design ... and keep this question in mind as you progress to through the following feature articles!

The source of information is a key concept to address. It's no small issue. Where is the answer? Time at the window, time thinking, may lead you to your own conclusions for the time being. We are still waiting for what science may say on this issue! We may be waiting for some time to come!

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Stasis--Genome Repair -- A Counter Point to Mutation? [future article]

Change and a constant propensity for random variations have been considered at the root of evolution's success. But life forms have an ability to resist change. Stasis can be defined as: "A condition of balance among various forces; motionlessness." In biological terms, stasis incorporates cellular and organismal mechanisms to maintain and sustain not only an organism, but also a species.

The molecular repair mechanisms that serve to preserve the genetic code beckon consideration of this most basic feature in life forms. Instead of change promoting possible routes of further evolution, organisms have preservation mechanisms that run counter to evolution's possible path.

One of the interesting points to glean from certain plant and animal species today comes from their preservation as a species from their early appearance in the fossil record to their continued presence over geologic time. You can go to a botanical garden today and see a plant called a cycad. You might think of these as something like a dwarf palm tree, but that's a close approximation for a description of a remarkably old species. Fossils bearing impressions of cycads of long ago suggest this plant type has not changed over time. That's only one of many examples of stasis at work!

Embryos Tell a Different Story -- Often Not Mentioned by Science [feature article link]

Embryology reveals added roadblocks to the assumptions made by evolutionists.

First: A future and related article will address mutations during embryo development. The important point here is mutations at this early stage are not a likely source for change in a species. In fact any such mutation is lethal. And if not a novel source for evolutionary change, this removes one more of evolution's options.

Second: In the currently posted article [see link above] we look at one of the 'icons of evolution.' The concept that embryology can illustrate an evolutionary history in the developing stages of many (vertebrate) embryos is not new. We are told human embryos recapitulate or follow the stages of development in a sequence covering all the evolutionary steps of animals preceding our species. A dictionary definition directly reflects this notion [recapitulate: "Biology. To appear to repeat (the evolutionary stages of the species) during the embryonic development of the individual organism." American Heritage Dictionary, 1994]. So, for decades, biology instructors and professors have been telling students: "ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny." [ontogeny: origin and development of an individual organism from embryo to adult; and phylogeny: evolutionary development and history of a species or higher taxonomic grouping of organisms]

The short answer is: This concept seems logical but it is incorrect. The 'logical part' goes to the credit of assumption. A closer look at embryos of a number of organisms and the illustrations used to promote the concept fail the slogan that's been taught for so many decades. We'll not delve into every detail, but references given in this article [click on link above] lead to detailed descriptions of why and how this all came about. Without this slogan, one of evolution's supporting icons or cornerstones is removed.

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Genes in Action -- Mystery Link: from genetic information to cell structure and function [future article]

In many ways, scientists are just now getting to the point of learning the critical workings of the genetic code. Genes are specific elements within the code that direct, for example, production of specific proteins. But what is most interesting is that there are a few surprises here. If the DNA is like instructions on what to build, then where is the plan to tell a cell how to put together what its made?

Like a house with lumber, sheet rock, and roofing materials all prepared, building instructions are in the blueprint. Where are life's blueprints?

The points we'll review here indicate science has a start but not the entire picture on how genetic information is stored and utilized. And there are some forms of 'heredity' (passing of information to offspring) that are outside the scope of the DNA! Twists and turns in this part of our exploration add interesting perspectives that don't fit the standard story on evolution.

Death--Programmed by Evolution or Design?[]

Life is programmed to die —this includes a biological phenomenon called: apostasis. How does any death-related feature reconcile itself with any notion of evolution? What chance process would introduce an element to systematically limit the longevity of an organism that is being [purportedly] selected on the basis of a selective advantage to survive? How is programmed cell death a survival advantage? There are situations where cells die as part of an orderly progression for organism growth and development leading to the mature individual. Yet this is a design feature, it's an information management system controlling DNA and life span ... it's nothing Darwin could have even conceived existed.

Molecular Evidence [feature article link]

There continue to be observations that do not fit what Darwin suggested would come by science and over time. What would he have told us if he had some insight on future results from molecular biology. He did speculate the fossil record would reveal a continuum of forms leading from species to species, phyla to phyla, from ancestral form to the diversity of life we see. This paints the picture of evolution's 'tree of life' (<< considered in another article). Taking Darwin's inclination we might then expect he'd say there would be a molecular pattern that also shows the imprint of this evolutionary trend over time. But what if scientific evidence points to an unexpected pattern? Without the expected trend at this level of detail—along with the absence of fossil evidence Darwin presumed would be forthcoming—we are left with one more aspect of an evolution scenario that is mysterious or unsupported.

There is more in the way of recent work to describe here (relevant content will be added in the future), but the examples noted here are truly remarkable. The observations reveal a separation of species as something equidistant (this pattern appears in protein amino acid sequences of higher life forms) or as a web of molecular evidence that shows a cross linking between species (this especially with regard to single cell life forms; e.g.: see Chapter 3 of Icons of Evolution and the description of the highly cross branching 'molecular thicket of life'). Both of these patterns in Darwinian terms are 'the unexpected.'

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Biochemical Molecular Machines -- by Cellular Design [feature article link]

If you can visualize a living cell's life systems in terms of a factory, production lines, processes directed by information, all working at maximum capacity and top speed ... then life becomes redefined in an entirely remarkable context. How could something called life appear so well coordinated and designed?

The article presented here [click on link above] requires a bit of imagination as you shrink down to the size of an observer who is able to easily visit the minutest of details in a living cell. Once down to size, the entire view ravel as inner workings of the factory-like nature to a cell's operation. While Darwin could easily criticize Paley's 'Argument from Design' with its examples like that of a watch with all its intricate man-made parts, the living cell itself would have left Darwin silent. If you can grasp the awesome aspect of what is presented to us all in the features of the cell, then a special light clicks on and we've arrived at yet one more source of nature's revelation on design.

Intelligent Design [feature article link]

To think in terms of intelligent design requires open and critical thinking. Some of the information hitting the public is now finding an open ear and increasing acceptance. Students are taking note and the 'thought-scape' in some spheres of education is now experiencing change. This is not a mistake. The data once considered reveal something wonderful, intriguing, thought provoking, worthy of scientific discussion, and even funding along with all other science to conduct further research.

Certainly, intelligent design may sound like a new concept to many, but only recent data in support of this is what's new. Again, the idea of design goes back to ancient thinkers, long before Darwin entered the scene. Discussion in terms of nature based on design persisted to Darwin's time. But as described in other feature articles here at WindowView, the idea of intelligent design opens the question of there being a designer. Darwin, and company, sought a way away from such a conclusion. But it's not that Darwin or anyone would prefer to think in terms other than design, the continual building base of perspectives reveals and yields more on design than science could have ever imagined in the mid-19th or even early-20th centuries.

Scientists have opened up the cell, imaged all structure, mapped all pathways, determined the nature to the inner workings of life itself, and now come face-to-face with meticulous examples that seem to scream out for an interpretation based on design. And again ... evolution can make no accounting for these features! So, we now see that where design arguments fit, and evolution lacks support. The idea that evolution fails to explain is not new ... but centering our focus on what can be said for intelligent design begs the coming discussion. Watch that discussion unfold and assuredly more and more of the arguments for evolution will ring hollow—in spite of scientism, PBS specials, or the general media's inattention to detail—it's the details that count.

An Explanatory Filter -- How It Works [feature article link]

To understand intelligent design requires a tool to demonstrate the presence of design in the world and universe at large. There is at least one such tool that comes to us through Dr. William Dembski. He has written articles and given presentations on what he calls the Explanatory Filter. An overview of how this filter works is briefly outlined below [click link above for full feature article].

Simply put, if we think something is the result of a design, then it passes through a filter (a test) whereby the product of design proves to be a result of (1) contingency, (2) complexity, and (3) specification ... these three filter elements are explained further in the full feature article [click link above]. If all three components of the filter eliminate the conclusions of 'necessity' and 'chance,' then one is left to conclude design.

The filter essentially posses three questions that pass us from one possible consideration to the next. Answering each question requires critical thinking and some research. But getting answers is the intent of this tool, to provide a mechanism for researching (detecting) the presence of design in nature.

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More Than Intelligent Design -- Testing a New Hypothesis [ future article]

Is it possible for scientists to research topics in relation to creation? Ah, before you think we are going to dismiss sound reasoning, we'd like to remind you that this question may not be so far fetched! In part, this research is already [naturally and perhaps unwittingly] a reality to the astrophysicists who explore the 'big bang' and astronomers who research the universe for its secrets. Even the original Darwinian school on evolution was dealing with life's origin in response to the concept of creation.

What is recently recognized by some scientists is the proposition of opening research fully to question and to conduct tests in areas that are assumed unworthy of the scientific endeavor. The many perspectives examined in the WindowView suggest there is more to recognize than the standards story. Thus there must be more to research than what is limited to the confines of the standard story. Yet, from academia there are examples of scientists interpreting data in light of expectations (i.e., bias). This practice is opposed to following conclusions flowing from an empirical and objective effort to see where the data lead us. Being mislead by standardized assumptions strongly suggest we've been missing something.

There is resistance to the idea of testing an alternate hypothesis. Still, the concept of an alternate can be formed. Its validity considered in light of current evidence and research avenues laid out for the future. The feature article that will appear here in the future will address the recent discussions that work toward testing a new hypothesis.

Irreducible Complexity [feature article link]

Complexity Examples -- Cilium, Flagellum, and more [feature article link]

Reflections -- Parallels and Evidence for Design in Cells [future article]

Think of the following in regard to the titles above:

Irreducibly complex features in living cells provide examples for our review of the concept of intelligent design (see preceding sections). A researcher can also look at such examples and 'test' or 'detect' the presence of 'specification,' which is also characteristic of intelligent design. A tool that serves as a design detector is the 'explanatory filter.' And if complex examples reflect design, then there is more to consider that is expressed by assumptions made for biological evolution.

Wonderful illustrations for irreducible complexity jog our imagination and throws us into a sober reality. There's more to the data from life than we've commonly or openly discussed for many a decade.

Complex 'features' can be defined here, for example, as certain sets or assemblies of multiple enzymes that make up a key biochemical pathway, a fine structure element of a cell (e.g., flagellum, cilium), and other examples where there is an apparent total loss of function if even one part is missing. How would this be set up by evolution if a particular function is dependent on an all-or-none feature! Think of this like a watch that becomes useless because one gear wheel is removed. To work properly, from the start, all the components need to be there. That's why the complexity is called irreducible.

Furthermore, from cell biology and biochemistry —take a look at molecular machines and cell design — evidence for design comes in the form of specified and complex features that are very much functioning like machines in a factory. Take a moment to think about the implications and you'll add one more unique perspective to your view on life!

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Feather, Eye, etc. [feature article link]

Only sophisticated feathers (thus far) appear without signs of evolutionary development. Insect wings, the eye, and structure and function of the brain are several other good starting examples here. So too, in other examples, complexity arises as an issue begging wonder and a marvel of life's architecture from the highly specified three-dimensional shapes of functional proteins, to the integrated structure and function of numerous cellular features, to the inter-workings of organ and hormone systems and the entire interaction of life function throughout each organism. A science article or TV show might gloss over this issue, here we sit a while to ponder the implications that these features of life bring to our attention.

Icons Of Evolution [feature article link]

Simply put, there are a number of examples commonly used in favor of justifying the standard story for evolution. These are called the 'Icons' or key examples in support of evolution theory. What is not commonly known is that many of the icons are misleading and in some cases downright misrepresent scientific truth.

What is perhaps most exciting is the debate and controversy that has stemmed from Dr. Wells' writings.

• First, we'll introduce you to a list of the icons Dr. Wells has addressed in his book (to see the list of ten questions click link above).

• Second, to look at the detailed discussion that followed the book's publication, we offer a link to a lengthy article that gives Dr. Wells response to his critics (click link above).

It's very interesting reading and this is a feature article you might like to print and read off-line for your careful consideration.

The Wedge and Phillip Johnson -- The Legal Implications [feature article link]

For a moment we turn our attention to the words and thoughts of an academic lawyer who continually works to draw our attention to the Darwinian shortfall and to point to evidence for a universe and a biology full of telltale signs of design. Prof. Phillip Johnson has become a lightening rod. He could easily be accused of a new dogmatism, but a dogma with its own magnetism that repulses other dogma run amuck. Keep your eye on the main point here ... it's not all about Johnson, he is simply pointing to something. Might we stop to listen a while ...

The short answer is simple. Prof. Johnson looked around and recognized that humanity was following a standard story that was fraught with problems. This academic lawyer is conducting an effort of discovery, shaping a case, developing arguments, and sees that an appropriate defense leads to raising a unique view to our attention. If something is wrong with evolution theory, then what else is wrong about what we accept as truth? To quickly dismiss his case is like throwing away all the special characteristics to our life's foundation. This is even throwing away good science!

Material Naturalism [feature article link]

Consider the impact to restricting one's thinking in material and natural terms. While practical in certain aspects of scientific studies, carrying the influence of a naturalistic thinking too far, especially in terms of origins, has serious consequences. The result actually impairs doing good science.

Life on Mars [place holder link]

We are reminded that man's quest to find life elsewhere in the universe includes a look at our closest planetary neighbor. Two points should be noted.

• First, if traces of life—i.e., past or present forms—are found on Mars, then we must ask if the origin is from the earth itself. Asteroids impacting the earth or ancient volcanic activity are two sources for earth materials to be cast into space and thus to Mars. Meteors from Mars may later do little more than transport some evidence of life back to earth.

• Second, there is no reason to think that an intelligent agent making life here might not do it anywhere else in the universe. That possibility exists. Life elsewhere provides little evidence for anything but life's existence there as well as here.

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Science and Apologetics [feature article link]

Article look into:

• What is an apologetic?
• Can scientific data or information serve to support a view on faith?
• Can scriptural texts integrate scientific information that serves as a witness to God's presence observed through the natural world?

PBS on evolution and a FREE book based on critical thinking skills [feature article link]

The short answer comes in a response to the PBS mini-series on evolution. We provide a link [click on article's link above] to the free downloadable book (in PDF format) and a link to the web site that explains further why this [book's] response meets a vital need. In short, the entire venture produced and aired by PBS declares a story as objective truth but then strays from the science and the potential added information that tells a more complete story. WindowView in part considers many facets of this added information. The book (see link in feature article) provides a responsible and in depth look at how your viewing experience during the PBS special is deficient and lacking in points provided in this supplemental publication.

Science Along the Time Line [feature article link]

Here is the suggestion that science and scriptural lines converge as time advances. This is why the WindowView time line lists concurrent events in these very different areas of human activity. History is being written along multiple tracks, yet this all fits within a common experience. If there is a point of convergence ahead, what exactly is it? Science plays its part in this key process. This however sustains a material-centered focus.

But what are the other driving forces that lead humanity along the time line? And if there is more than a material focus, then look for other types of progressions of events along time to seek clues. Science brings neat solutions, but does that answer all the questions? If a material process does not fully explain our being here, then there are other dimensions to add to the time line. For this very reason, events related to that added dimension are part of WindowView's time line.

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Science and Scripture [feature article link]

Finding that there is a harmony between science and Scripture deserves a few examples. Read them here!

Global Change -- Ominous Signs of Our Times [feature article link]

Global change is a term that encompasses many issues, including: change in climate, economies, human life styles, depletion rates of non-renewable resources, humanity's impact on the global environment, etc. It's happening today like never before!

A major force is humanity's relatively recent escalation in market driven materialism and thus use of the earth's natural resources, the exponential rise in human population, and burst of technology advancements. We see global change as a phenomenon attaining unequaled proportions compared to prior history. WindowView offers a number of feature articles to illustrate global change in a separate area entitled: Global Change. Reading the various articles there reveals that—by all appearances and recent scientific data—humanity is wearing the earth 'thin.'

Today many scientists in the physical and social sciences, along with political scientists, see change at work. Many want more funds to document the process, but others decry the limited amount of time we have to respond. If unchecked, these activities on all fronts lead to a decline that certainly threatens life as we live it today. Some predictions speak to dire consequences ahead—even significant environmental and economic collapse in various regions of the world.

We include consideration of global change within the WindowView because this accounts for a building tension that is ever present in the background. This is a component of the TimeLine that is not to be forgotten—and we include the timeline as a tool to help us think of what is ahead. At some point in the future, if global consequences build to inescapable problems, then humanity will as a whole be faced with issues that complicate the already complex day-to-day political and economic activities we are so use to seeing played out in the news.

Global change also appears in the next main feature area entitled: The Window and later factors into your final consideration of paradigm building at the conclusion of WindowView. Change is a factor that influences our future and is a necessary component of our time looking through the window.

Additional Evidence To Report Here:

The array of topics presented here is not exhaustive ... although you might think it's quite enough! The current edition of the Science Area is sufficient to make a comment on the special nature of our existence. Other topics or perspectives may be added over time ... new information comes in all the time.

Science Area Wrap Up:

You could stop here because we have reviewed information that satisfies one area of growing debate. The answer is, life is the exception ... is exceptional! This experience, when you really think about it, is extraordinary, special, and by all appearances is interwoven with threads of design.

So, all this is more than simply saying evolution fails. Yet, too many angles, too many perspectives, too many lines of evidence come into play to permit the dogma of evolution to blindside our thinking. Removing evolution and making room for an intelligent agent at work, even a Designer (a.k.a. Creator), may make you uneasy, but it's the evidence that puts this concept square center in the window.

There's more to explore! So, do you really want to stop here? Think about it. The evidence now begs other questions. If we exist in a special universe, then there must be other aspects to explore here. We do just that from additional aspects that the window can reveal.

Its about us and how we got here. Ultimately its about purpose and if there is purpose, then its about how we need to respond to that purpose.

The next two feature areas provide an extrapolation of this feature area's content. The Window Area starts with material world concerns and then moves into timelines of historical and spiritual significance. Purpose in this context has a future. Finally, the Harmony Area makes a presentation in context that many visitors may find unusual. But do not mistake the terms and content to indicate there is a limited audience in mind. If you've followed the progression and our design, you will soon appreciate the content adds meaning to the entire WindowView. 

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The WindowView drops many of the typical presumptions to take another look. What does scientific data tell us if we start without assumptions? And ... how contiguous is science information if examined along with scriptural perspectives provided by the Bible? The Bible is the only religious or holy book we know of that is in fact consistent with science. While not a textbook, the Scriptures are either contradictory or complementary to scientific perspectives. Have you looked at these perspectives? To see 'Science and Scripture in Harmony' is to reveal life, reality, and your future.

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Time spent looking ... through a window on life and choice ... brings the opportunity to see in a new light. The offer for you to Step Up To Life is presented on many of the web pages at WindowView. Without further explanation we offer you the steps here ... knowing that depending on what you have seen or may yet explore in the window ... these steps will be the most important of your life ...

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