2. By Massimo Pigliucci

3. A concept road map to understand evolution-creation Evolution Change in gene frequencies IS Descent with modification IS Origin of life IS NOT Origin of the universe IS NOT Intelligent Design DOES NOT REQUIRE

4. 1- Evolution as a change in gene frequencies Theory from population genetics Empirical evidence from molecular biology Examples: viruses, bacteria, plants, fungi, animals (including humans)

5. Example: the HIV virus Causes a disease of the immune system Common among vertebrates

6. Two major kinds of human HIV HIV-1 evolved from a chimp virus and attacked human populations in the 1940s in West Africa and in the 1970s in Europe

7. Why is AIDS so difficult to cure? genes (mutations) environment (sexual behavior)

8. 2 – Evolution as descent with modification Studied by comparative anatomy, paleontology Evidence from extant organisms’ morphology, physiology, and development Evidence from the fossil record

9. Example: the evolution of whales Mesonychids Whales (modern & ancient) Artiodactyls (hippos, pigs, camels, sheep)

10. 55 MYA: in the beginning were the early Artiodactyls Scavengers Fish hunters bears

11. A sleuth of intermediate forms 53 MYA: Hymalaiacetus, lived in fresh water and sea 50 MYA: Pakicetus, lived on both land and water sea lions Ambulocetus 45-50 MYA: Ambulocetus, reduced limbs

12. Almost like a whale Basilosaurus & co.: Extremely reduced limbs by 35-40 million years ago

13. Modern whales and hippos Most common recent ancestor: 55 MYA (DNA) Swim before walking Nurse young underwater Testicles remain inside body Hairless No sweat

14. 3 – Evolution is NOT a theory of the origin of life Evolution requires heritable variation for selection to act The origin of life is a problem at the interface between physical chemistry and biology

15. What could solve the problem of the origin of life? Complexity theory and the concept of self-organization

16. 4 – Evolution is NOT a theory of the origin of the universe “Building blocks” of galaxies seen from Hubble The universe “evolves” only in the general sense of change through time. No selection, no mutation.

17. How could then the universe have originated? quantum mechanics general relativity superstrings

18. Does evolution fail if it cannot answer “origin” questions?

19. 5 – Does an understanding of the variety of life on earth require ID? 1 - Occam’s razor and avoidance of unnecessary hypotheses David Hume (1779) 2 - Hume’s dictum on extraordinary claims and evidence Logical objections:

20. The burden of proof is on the other side The story of life on earth appears idiosyncratic, indicating contingency and necessity (e.g. extinction of dinosaurs) Organisms are not well designed to fit their environment (evolution as bricoleur: human eye)

21. Can you really deny the evidence? A. afarensis Homo abilis Homo erectus Homo sapiens spider monkey chimpanzee