Abstract

Recent advances in our understanding of the structure and function of DNA and protein have produced a wealth of knowledge concerning the uniqueness of these biological entities. The purpose of this dissertation is to argue that the specific sequence of bases in DNA and amino acids in proteins can be best explained by design. ;This dissertation will utilize two methodologies. First, it will apply William Dembski's model for detecting design, which he calls the explanatory filter . The EF argues that there are three modes of explanation-regularity, chance and design. When the EF is presented with events or patterns which exhibit sufficient complexity and specificity, it assigns it to the mode of design. ;The EF, however, only works with design as a logical or statistical category, not as a causal explanation. Thus, this dissertation will utilize the inference to best explanation model of inferring causal explanations to complement the EF. In the IBE model, the explanation that can best account for more facts, with fewer auxiliary hypotheses, and can point to an analogous situation is considered the better explanation. ;This dissertation will apply the EF to the sequence of bases in DNA and sequence of amino acids in proteins. It will conclude that sufficient complexity and specificity is present and therefore, the logical mode of design is the best explanation. ;Furthermore, this dissertation will also argue that design-based explanations can account for the information nature of DNA and protein better than chance-based and law-based explanations. It also argues that design-based explanations can account for more of the facts surrounding the origin of life on earth. Finally, it argues that design-based explanations are better because they can point to an analogous situation: the origin of human languages is best explained by intelligent design. ;Finally, this dissertation will offer some suggestions as to how one might proceed in making a case that a supernatural designer is the best design-based type of explanation for the informational nature of DNA and proteins. The appendix at the end of the dissertation will also offer responses to the criticisms made by David Hume against design arguments in general