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General - Is there a god? - View Post

Timmah! on 30 June 2007
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Legend11 said:
Timmah! said:

Legend11:

Here's the Merriam-Webster definition of Design

1 : to create, fashion, execute, or construct according to plan : DEVISE, CONTRIVE
2 a : to conceive and plan out in the mind designed the perfect crime> b : to have as a purpose : INTEND designed to excel in her studies> c : to devise for a specific function or end designed primarily as a college textbook>
3 archaic : to indicate with a distinctive mark, sign, or name
4 a : to make a drawing, pattern, or sketch of b : to draw the plans for <design a building>
intransitive verb
1 : to conceive or execute a plan
2 : to draw, lay out, or prepare a design

Which one of these definitions does not imply intelligence?

See the second definition (The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details) and you'll realize that they're talking about the purposeful arrangement of those parts in animals, and also note that it in no way implies "intelligence" was behind those arrangements.  Evolution explains it without the need of bringing in a "God".

http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/design 

de·sign    (d-zn) KEY  

(Verb definitions deleted)

NOUN:

    1. A drawing or sketch.
    2. A graphic representation, especially a detailed plan for construction or manufacture.
  2. The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details: the aerodynamic design of an automobile; furniture of simple but elegant design.
  3. The art or practice of designing or making designs.
  4. Something designed, especially a decorative or an artistic work.
  5. An ornamental pattern. See Synonyms at figure.
  6. A basic scheme or pattern that affects and controls function or development: the overall design of an epic poem.
  7. A plan; a project. See Synonyms at plan.
    1. A reasoned purpose; an intent: It was her design to set up practice on her own as soon as she was qualified.
    2. Deliberate intention: He became a photographer more by accident than by design.
  9. A secretive plot or scheme. Often used in the plural: He has designs on my job

 


The purposeful or inventive arrangement of parts or details not only implies outside intelligence, but requires it. For something to be purposeful, it has to be given a purpose. Inventive means that it was created by thinking in the mind.

Let's go to the root of these words to make this point...

Purpose: 1 a: something set up as an object or end to be attained : intention b: resolution, determination

For something to be set up as an end to be attained requires forthough of that end, and a rationalization of how to get there, and thus intelligence.

Invent: 2: to devise by thinking : fabricate3: to produce (as something useful) for the first time through the use of the imagination or of ingenious thinking and experiment

Once again, this by definition requires intelligence.

Arrange: 1: to put into a proper order or into a correct or suitable sequence, relationship, or adjustment <arrange flowers in a vase><arrange cards alphabetically>

This requires intelligence to overcome the natural state of chaos and disorder in order to attain sequence and relationship.