Intelligent design

Thanks to the scientific discoveries of the XXth century, we find ourselves in a world completely different than before.

We know matter is made of energy transformed into particles, into waves which pilot them, into units of four forces which hold them in different elements. We should see emptiness between these particles, but we are caught in the system and we see matter as full. To give an example, when we see six protons, six electrons and some protons in an atom, we see carbon. When it is pure, we see a diamond.

We know the cosmos had a fabulous development from its first second until now, but also that it still evolves. New galaxies are being formed, new stars are born, others quietly die or explode into supernovae.

We know the birth of life demanded a real work of art for the correct alignment of some carefully chosen particles. But the evolution of living organisms, since then, constantly imposed modifications with the same degree of difficulty.

Let us see things in another way. All those who create websites with their computer know that it contains two versions of their work. One gives the “normal” vision where everything appears in colours with legible text and images. The other vision shows the program-riddle, in black and white, where pieces of text appear between unusual signs, where colours are coded numbers, where images are formulas.

The universe is like this. We evolve on the “normal” side, where everything seems to be either solid, liquid or gas, where everything is coloured and lighted, persuaded until recently that it was the only existing side. But the universe also has its “program-riddle” side, all in particles and waves, where everything is modified second after second.

Most scientists say that exerything might have happened by chance, since the Big Bang. It is true. But we must avow, seeing the evolution’s complexity, that this hypothesis becomes more and more difficult to admit.

The other hypothesis demands that an intelligence and a will steer the complexification of the whole universe. It imposes that an intelligent presence, carefully hidden, be at work in this permanent creation.

We feel free, we are sure of our free will, but if the universe has an author he is also creating us permanently. He elaborates the thoughts and intentions in our brains in a perfect immediacy and with an absolute simultaneity, so that we feel they are ours.

No other, no smaller power could be responsible of a universe with about two hundred billions of galaxies. We are not in front of a local and ethnic God who would have created the whole thing in six days, sitting and watching it ever since. We are not in front of a God who observes and judges us, - answering prayers and helping us only when he feels like it. We are a part of a gigantic entity which we must learn to respect. Our freedom is an illusion. But it is a perfect illusion, which leaves us with our entire responsibility.

Such an interesting responsibility.

 

© André Chollet

Geneva

December 2007