Islamists present the following argument:
Atheists argue that the universe arose through "chance events," with their entire theory of evolution depending on this "theory of chance." This idea is also supported by the Infinite Monkey Theorem, which suggests that a monkey randomly pressing keys could, over infinite time, type a coherent sentence or part of a book. However, scientists have debunked this notion, showing that even in trillions of years, it is highly unlikely that a monkey would type even a single English word like "bananas." Given the universe's age of only 13.8 billion years, this complexity without intelligent design is deemed improbable (as a monkey will need many trillion years to write a single book).
Our Response:
Religious people often try to disprove the theory of evolution by using the "monkey and typewriter" analogy (The Infinite Monkey Theorem), which reflects a misunderstanding of "random occurring mutations" and "natural selection."
Let's break this down:
1. Misunderstanding Evolution:
Evolution is not entirely random. Although genetic mutations can occur randomly, "natural selection" provides direction. Beneficial mutations tend to persist, as they enhance survival or reproduction. Over time, this leads to increasingly complex and well-adapted organisms. The "monkey and typewriter" example ignores this key point, inaccurately representing evolution as purely random.
2. Natural Selection:
Imagine a population of rabbits in a dense, earthy-colored forest. Some rabbits are brown, while others are white. Brown rabbits blend into the environment better, making them less visible to predators. As a result, more brown rabbits survive and reproduce, while white rabbits become easy prey. Over time, brown rabbits dominate due to their advantage, showcasing natural selection.
3. Incremental Selection:
If a monkey typing randomly could retain each correct letter for "banana," only needing to adjust other letters, it would resemble natural selection, where successful changes are retained [For example, if the monkey randomly types "b", then it is retained, and in the next step, the monkey only has to adjust other letters]. Richard Dawkins illustrated this concept through his "Weasel" program, showing how random processes guided by selection can achieve complex outcomes efficiently (see Dawkins' The Blind Watchmaker or his Weasel program)
4. Misuse of Probability/Chance:
Arguments against evolution often exaggerate probabilities to make evolution seem impossible. However, evolution is gradual, with natural selection guiding beneficial changes after life began, not a single instant of complex creation.
5. Evidence:
Fossil records, genetic research, and observable nature support evolution, showing how organisms adapt to their environment over generations. Features like the human appendix and genetic similarities indicate evolutionary progress, pointing to common ancestry, not intelligent design.
6. Conclusion:
The "monkey and typewriter" argument against complexity forming by chance misrepresents the nature of evolution, which is a combination of random genetic changes and guided natural selection. Complexity developing over billions of years is not only possible but highly likely.
7. Evolution in Bacteria and Viruses in Record Time
The Infinite Monkey Theorem is disproven by understanding mutations and natural selection in viruses and bacteria. While mutations occur randomly, natural selection picks beneficial changes that aid survival.
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Example with Influenza Virus: Random mutations occur, but only those helping the virus evade vaccines persist. Unlike the Infinite Monkey Theorem, natural selection chooses advantageous changes.
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Antibiotic Resistance: Mutations in bacteria are selected to resist antibiotics, producing a more resilient version of bacteria.
In short, complexity and adaptation in life (e.g., viruses and bacteria) result from the combined effects of mutation and natural selection, not mere randomness.
Hassan Radwan