Intelligent design also referred to as ID is a concept that has its early origins from 4th century BC in the works Timaeus by Plato were he describes a supreme wisdom and intelligence as the creator of the cosmos. In the Metaphysics Aristotle furthers developed the idea of a natural creator of the cosmos. One of the most famous ideas for intelligent design today comes the 13th century where Thomas Aguinas described the concept of design as the fifth of five proofs for the existence of God in his work Summa Theologia. The term intelligent design has been used several times in more recent years but the use was not related to the current use of the word such as in an 1847 issue of Scientific American. The movement of intelligent design, as we know it today, began in the late 1980's to early 1990's.
In order to get a clear understand of what exactly intelligent design is, a definition that is given by the Discovery Institute is used. They describe intelligent design as "certain features of the universe and of living things are best explained by an intelligent cause, not an undirected process such as natural selection." The Discovery Institute, a Christian conservative think tank, is one of the leading proponents of intelligent design. In their definition the name of a specific designer is intentionally omitted but simply makes mention that one must exist. However opponents of intelligent design feel this designer is the Christian God. This has also been the subject of much debate in the movement.
Intelligent design cannot be understood until a few other concepts are understood. First is the theory of evolution. This is the brainchild of Charles Darwin. The theory holds that all life ...