Does Criticizing Intelligent Design (Id) Undermine Design Discourse in the Qurʾān? A Kalāmic Response

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

Zygon

Publication Date

3-28-2022

Abstract

Some Muslim thinkers argue against evolution using intelligent design (ID) arguments. One possible impetus for this line of reasoning is the several indications of design mentioned throughout the Quran. Therefore, criticizing ID could be seen as a direct attack on the Quranic outlook. However, this article will argue that this is a false equation. The Quranic design argument, as articulated in the tradition of Sunni scholastic theology (kalam), argues for the existence of a supernatural God by acknowledging natural causes that bring about designed phenomena in the universe. By contrast, Muslim thinkers who use ID to argue against evolution are arguing for the existence of a supernatural being through the supposed inability of science to explain designed phenomena through natural causes. Thus, there is a fundamental difference between the design outlook provided in the Quran versus the arguments of ID. Accordingly, this article argues that critiquing ID does not undermine the design discourse of the Quran.

Publisher

Wiley

Disciplines

Islamic Studies | Social and Behavioral Sciences

Indexed in Scopus

no

Open Access

no

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