2007 Articles

"INTELLIGENT DESIGN," NATURAL DESIGN, AND THE PROBLEM OF MEANING IN THE NATURAL WORLD

Pollack, Robert

In "Intelligent Design, Natural Design, and the Problem of Meaning in the Natural World," Robert Pollack explores the debate between the concepts of intelligent design and natural design. He critiques intelligent design as a belief system that distracts from the real challenges and responsibilities humans face in addressing suffering and injustice in the world. Pollack contrasts this with natural design, which acknowledges the absence of inherent meaning or purpose in the natural world but also provides a basis for ethical action. He argues that while science may reveal the mechanisms of life, it is up to individuals to imbue their actions with meaning through moral choices.