1 A Brief Analysis of Darwin's Black Box By Matthew Philip Miller Michael Behe's contribution to the advancement and development

of the Intelligent Design movement is so significant that it cannot be fully understood or valued at the present time. He is among the firstfruits of those who are defending the Intelligent Design (ID) theory by publishing literature based upon laboratory research. His first book, Darwin's Black Box (DBB), was released in 1996 and has played a pivotal role in ID's onslaught against macroevolution by providing an easily understood, yet sophisticated, framework of biochemical examples which demonstrate design. Since then, he has continued to defend the movement by publicly responding to published criticism (see the blog for his book The Edge of Evolution at Amazon.com), and he has become a sort of celebrity in the clash between the theories of Intelligent Design and Darwinian evolution (Woodward 65). Nobody will be able to appreciate Behe's work for what it truly is until the dust from the paradigmshift settles; we can only marvel at his findings and be encouraged that there is more to life than mindless chaos and meaningless randomness.

BEHE'S MAIN THESIS

Put simply, the backbone of the arguments contained in DBB is the elementally-complex nature of the cell and its systems. Indeed, the cell was a black box when Charles Darwin posited his theory of natural selection into the realms of science in the 1800's. But since then, that black box has been found to contain stunning machines and intricately-ordered information, such that Darwin himself could not have possibly foreseen nor predicted its complexity. In what has become to be known as Darwin's Wager, Charles Darwin stated, If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed which could not possibly have been formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications, my theory would absolutely break down (Behe 39). Most of the

2 criticism towards natural selection and Darwinian evolution has centered on this proposal, and it has been a driving force behind Behe and his work. He has searched extensively to find exactly [w]hat type of biological system could not be formed by numerous, successive, slight modifications (39). His hallmark finding in his search to answer Darwin's challenge, and the focus of DBB, is the irreducible complexity of certain systems within the cell. Irreducible complexity refers to the sum of needed parts within sub-cellular systems, parts without which the system could not function at all. In his own words, Behe defines irreducible complexity as a system composed of several interacting parts that contribute to the basic function [of the system], and where the removal of any one of the parts causes the system effectively to cease functioning (Behe 39). Irreducible complexity is absolutely monumental and paramount in the ID movement because it has the potential to be a fulfillment of Darwin's Wager. Indeed, if it can be proven that there are biological systems that are irreducibly complex, then the ID movement would have a very strong case against Darwinian evolution. Simply put, [a]n irreducibly complex system cannot be produced directly ... by slight, successive modifications or a precursor system, because any precursor to an irreducibly complex system that is missing a part is by definition nonfunctional (Behe 39). If one were to remove a single part from an irreducibly complex system then the system would cease to function.

AN EXAMPLE OF IRREDUCIBLE COMPLEXITY

Of the five biochemical examples Behe gives of irreducible complexity in DBB, the one that most impressed me is found in Chapter 4: the blood-clotting cascade. When the skin is pierced, accidentally or intentionally, to the point of bleeding, the body deliberately begins a process known as coagulation. This process involves 20 different proteins, each with a task particular to its identity. Cascade refers to the specific order of the proteins in the process. Some of these proteins (proenzymes) lie dormant in the body and are not activated until they are needed (when the body senses a tear in the skin).

3 Of the 20 different proteins, some regulate the timing of the clot, while others control the placement (Behe 79); some form the clot's fibrin meshwork, while others perform clean-up duties (80). The whole process is very efficient and is performed with the minimum amount of protein required (80). Each time a clot is formed, every one of the 20 proteins plays a part. If any one of these 20 proteins were to call-in sick to work on a day when you happened to receive a major gash to your skin, you would most likely bleed to death. This is a precise demonstration of irreducible complexity. Each of the 20 proteins is absolutely necessary (and in the correct arrangement) for blood to clot. If any one of the 20 proteins were missing or not performing it's duty, the system would cease to function. This grabbed me because I never exactly realized the tenuity of the thread to which (my) physical life is attached.

BEHE'S RHETORIC

Michael Behe operates in a mode that consists of more than merely regurgitating scientific facts or hiding behind glass beakers in a laboratory. In Darwin's Black Box, Behe engages in intellectual intercourse with the reader. He does not take a neutral stance between Intelligent Design and Darwinian evolution; he is very anti-macroevolution. However, he is not a belligerent fool who can't control his tongue and thus speaks from an irrational mind devoid of truth. Rather, he speaks from a mind that has been impacted by the biochemical design he has observed first-hand through the microscope. When reading through DBB, the reader will encounter Behe's bias and rhetoric through the mere arrangement of each chapter. He begins each chapter by implementing an interesting illustration to setup his example or point. He makes it clear that certain parts of the chapter are scientifically sophisticated, but still urges the reader to skim the jargon in order to grasp the complex nature of each example. He then connects the illustration to the science and thus exemplifies the complex nature of the subject, allowing even those who are barely acquainted with science to experience the astonishing

4 reality of an irreducibly complex machine. He also utilizes sarcasm in order to point out the absurdity of holding the position that the irreducibly complex machine evolved over a long period time despite the apparentness of design. The questions he raises are sharp and to the point and will catch the reader off-guard, sending the reader into a moment of pondering and perhaps even joy or frustration. But, however fun or silly his illustrations or sarcasm may be, his rhetoric is what gives his findings force in the real world. And it is his rhetoric that fires up adherents on both sides of the debate; for those who hold to Design, his rhetoric encourages; for those who hold to Darwinism, his rhetoric enrages.

TEN YEARS LATER

In my humble opinion, the Epilogue Chapter is a very appropriate addition. Behe holds his ground, stands behind his reasoning, and strengthens his defenses. He does not fuss about the Darwinist's objections to his claims. Rather, he handles them accordingly, revealing them as intellectually dishonest, inaccurate representations of what he has written. I especially like what he mentioned on pages 255-256: there is very little of the original text I would change if I wrote it today. There is, however, much I could add. What he has added, however, is helpful. From answering the opponents' objections, he has clarified the details of irreducible complexity. It is important to me, and any other apologist who uses Darwin's Black Box as intellectual ammunition in the origins fray, to know what irreducible complexity is and what it is not. For example, only in reading the Afterword did I understand that only the system is irreducibly complex, while its parts could be used in other systems. It is very encouraging to see that Behe's work is continuing to thwart the vain philosophies of men and still elevates the glory of Design.

5 Works Cited Behe, Michael J. Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution. New York: Free Press, 2006. Woodward, Thomas. Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006.