Many creationists and theists invoke the argument of irreducible complexity in an attempt to discount the theory of evolution. So… what is irreducible complexity?
Irreducible complexity ( IC ) involves the idea that certain biological systems cannot evolve by successive small modifications to pre-existing functional systems through natural selection.
According to the argument of irreducible complexity, we couldn’t have evolved slowly from single-celled organisms over time, we must have had a designer! It is a naive argument made by those who don’t have a suitable understanding of the theory of evolution, or even worse, those who choose to work backward from a predetermined conclusion based on faith.
Infinite Recursion
Many have made the point I’m going to make, that is, the problem of the creator of god, but I want to demonstrate it in a way that mathematicians and programmers can easily relate to. Take a gander at the following Javascript class:
class Being {
constructor(creator, alive) {
this.creator = creator;
this.alive = alive;
}
// complex beings must be alive and have a creator
isComplex(){
return this.alive && this.getCreator() !== null;
}
getCreator(){
if (!this.creator.isComplex()){
throw "universe blows up, creator isn't a complex being"
}
return this.creator
}
}
Let’s review the code in English. We define a “complex being” as a being that must be alive and have a complex being as its creator. This is a simplistic definition, but sufficient for any debate regarding creationism.
In order to create an instance of a complex being (via the constructor), we must provide a complex being to serve as the creator. In order to create that complex creator, we must provide that creator’s constructor with another creator. This infinitely recursive problem demonstrates the problem:
If we are too complex to have evolved via natural processes, then our creator is too. Our creator's creator must also have had a creator, ad infinitum.
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Top comments (9)
Not logical to me, because, the creator doesn't need to be created and cannot be contained in a class (even conceptually). The presuppositions are not correct for those that believe the creator always has been. Therefore, this isn't a mathematical proof, it's a highly opinionated conjecture.
Why wouldn't the argument "we are complex, we must have been created", apply to a complex God? It's a strange presupposition that God doesn't need to be created but that we do. Where does that come from?
The question presupposes that God was created. Can it be proved he was created? No. Neither can it be proved he always existed.
These two possibilities require faith to believe in, but only one of them is correct. Each one is logically exclusive of the other.
I believe in the eternal existence of God; meaning he was not created.
The origination of the 'always existed' idea, was around the time of Moses, around 5000 years ago as read in Genius 1, and then confirmed multiple times by other authors in the bible. Jesus himself confirmed it again 3000 years later in John 8:58.
That's fine, I mean, obviously I don't believe it God, but I'm not contending with that argument here. I'm contending with the position that we are too complex to have evolved. If you believe that God is complex, then the argument that we couldn't have evolved, or that the universe couldn't come from nothing is hypocritical. Because that's what you already believe about God.
We are too complex to have evolved? Proof?
We are too complex to not have evolved? Proof?
Neither can be proved, but only one is correct.
If God is complex, then we must have evolved? Proof?
If God is complex, then we must have been created? Proof?
Both are illogical assertions.
What does God being complex have anything to do with the two questions above? Nothing.
I'm not asserting any if those things, and you are making my point for me... Asserting that we are too complex and God must have created us is illogical. That is the only claim I am making here.
You never answer my questions. What does being complex have to do with the theory of evolution?
Nothing. It has nothing to do with evolution. It has everything to do with the theist claim of irreducible complexity though, which is the only point I'm making.
If it has nothing to do with evolution then it must have been created.