What does irreducible complexity mean?

Definitions for irreducible complexity
ir·re·duc·ible com·plex·i·ty

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word irreducible complexity.

Wiktionary

  1. irreducible complexitynoun

    the minimal amount of complexity a system may exhibit while still maintaining its primary function

Wikipedia

  1. Irreducible complexity

    Irreducible complexity (IC) is the argument that certain biological systems with multiple interacting parts would not function if one of the parts was removed, so supposedly could not have evolved by successive small modifications from earlier less complex systems through natural selection, which would need all intermediate precursor systems to have been fully functional. Irreducible complexity has become central to the creationist concept of intelligent design, but the concept of irreducible complexity has been rejected by the scientific community, which regards intelligent design as pseudoscience. Irreducible complexity is one of two main arguments used by intelligent-design proponents to support their version of the theological argument from design, used alongside specified complexity which is supposed to add mathematical support for it.The creation science argument that evolution cannot explain complex mechanisms because intermediate precursors would be non-functional predated its use in ID. In 1993 Michael Behe, a professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University, presented a variation of the same argument in a revised version of the school textbook Of Pandas and People. In his 1996 book Darwin's Black Box he called this concept irreducible complexity and said it made evolution through natural selection of random mutations impossible, or extremely improbable. This was based on the mistaken assumption that evolution relies on improvement of existing functions, ignoring how complex adaptations originate from changes in function, and disregarding published research. Evolutionary biologists have published rebuttals showing how systems discussed by Behe can evolve, and examples documented through comparative genomics show that complex molecular systems are formed by the addition of components as revealed by different temporal origins of their proteins.In the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial, Behe gave testimony on the subject of irreducible complexity. The court found that "Professor Behe's claim for irreducible complexity has been refuted in peer-reviewed research papers and has been rejected by the scientific community at large."

Wikidata

  1. Irreducible complexity

    Irreducible complexity is an argument by proponents of intelligent design that certain biological systems are too complex to have evolved from simpler, or "less complete" predecessors, through natural selection acting upon a series of advantageous naturally occurring, chance mutations. The argument is central to intelligent design, and is rejected by the scientific community at large, which overwhelmingly regards intelligent design as pseudoscience. Irreducible complexity is one of two main arguments used by intelligent design proponents, the other being specified complexity. Biochemistry professor Michael Behe, the originator of the term irreducible complexity, defines an irreducibly complex system as one "composed of several well-matched, interacting parts that contribute to the basic function, wherein the removal of any one of the parts causes the system to effectively cease functioning". Evolutionary biologists have demonstrated how such systems could have evolved, and describe Behe's claim as an argument from incredulity. In the 2005 Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial, Behe gave testimony on the subject of irreducible complexity. The court found that "Professor Behe's claim for irreducible complexity has been refuted in peer-reviewed research papers and has been rejected by the scientific community at large."

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Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of irreducible complexity in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of irreducible complexity in Pythagorean Numerology is: 5

Examples of irreducible complexity in a Sentence

  1. Aloo Denish:

    Behe's concept of Irreducible Complexity sparks curiosity among scientists, caught between Darwinian theory and the possibility of Intelligent Design. Regardless of whether Irreducible Complexity will gain full scientific legitimacy, will be deemed a creationist theory, or will become a point of convergence between Science and Faith, it is interestingly an additional fuel to the scientific quest. - Aloo Denish

  2. Mark Green:

    Irreducible complexity is important in the argument for the creationist because of this: Evolution assumes a series of minuscule changes over time, and each change has to give a survival advantage to the organism. If it doesn't, and it causes a disadvantage the organism dies and evolution ends.


Translations for irreducible complexity

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • تعقيد غير قابل للاختزالArabic

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"irreducible complexity." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 27 Apr. 2024. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/irreducible+complexity>.

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