Evolutionary algorithms smuggle in design in the fitness function

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Contents 1 Claim 2 Source 3 Response 4 Links 5 References 6 Acknowledgments

Claim

Genetic algorithms are claimed to demonstrate that evolutionary processes can create design, but in such algorithms, the design is smuggled in in the form of the fitness function. Evolutionary algorithms do not create specified complexity.

Source

1. Dembski, William A., 1999 (Nov. 1). Why evolutionary algorithms cannot generate specified complexity. Metaviews 152 ([1]). [2]

Response

1. Genetic algorithms are perfectly able to create solutions whose workings are not understood by any human being. Exactly how do the creators of these genetic algorithms go about "smuggling in" a design that no human understands?
2. Genetic algorithms are not claimed to demonstrate that evolutionary processes can create design, except by those who believe in the concept of design, i.e., creationists. This is a straw man argument which begs the question.
3. Given as how the definition of "specified complexity" has been left intentionally vague, this claim does not hold.
4. add more responses

Links

1. RBH, 2003 (5 July). Untitled. [3]

References

1. Koza, John R., Martin A. Keane, Matthew J. Streeter, 2003 (Feb.). Evolving inventions. Scientific American 288(2): 52-59.
2. Lenski, R.E., C. Ofria, R.T. Pennock & C. Adami, 2003. The evolutionary origin of complex features. Nature 423: 139-144. [4] See also: National Science Foundation, 2003. Artificial Life Experiments Show How Complex Functions Can Evolve. [5]

Acknowledgments