Let's study ID: the concept of irreducible complexity (Introduction)

by David Turell , Thursday, December 21, 2023, 22:12 (128 days ago) @ David Turell

More from Behe:

https://evolutionnews.org/2014/10/has_ken_miller/

"Recall that the definition of irreducible complexity notes that removal of a part "causes the system to effectively cease functioning."

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"In recent years it has been shown that the bacterial flagellum is an even more sophisticated system than had been thought. Not only does it act as a rotary propulsion device, it also contains within itself an elegant mechanism to transport the proteins that make up the outer portion of the machine, from the inside of the cell to the outside... However, taking away the parts of the flagellum certainly destroys the ability of the system to act as a rotary propulsion machine, as I have argued. Thus, contra Miller, the flagellum is indeed irreducibly complex. What’s more, the function of transporting proteins has as little directly to do with the function of rotary propulsion as a toothpick has to do with a mousetrap. So discovering the supportive function of transporting proteins tells us precisely nothing about how Darwinian processes might have put together a rotary propulsion machine."

Comment: Behe refers to the flagellum as a system unit to perform a function. Its attachment to a bacterium is assumed, but not required to discuss specified function. In the mousetrap. once again, Behe discusses a single system function without any other requirements.