Modern intelligent design can be attributed to a number of scientists and philosophers who have come to reject natural cause as an all-encompassing explanation of origins. This rejection is based on knowledge that certain objects, events, and phenomena cannot be rationally explained by natural cause. Natural cause is inherently limited as a constructive mechanism, while intelligent cause represented by human intelligence, has shown significant constructive ability. A chronological list of some of the more influential books and authors (and my favorites) include:
1. The Mystery of Life’s Origin: Reassessing Current Theories (1984) by Charles B. Thaxton analyzes evidence which discredits the possibility of chemical evolution. An updated version, The Mystery of Life’s Origin: The Continuing Controversy by Charles B. Thaxton, Walter L. Bradley, Roger L. Olsen, and others was released in 2020.
2. Darwin on Trial (1991) by law professor Phillip Johnson examines evidence against the theory of biological evolution (the book that launched the intelligent design movement).
3. Darwin’s Black Box: The biochemical Challenge to Evolution (1996) by biochemist Michael J. Behe introduces the idea of “irreducible complexity” which contradicts and discredits step-by-step evolution due to mutation and natural selection.
4. The Design Inference: Eliminating Chance through Small Probabilities (1998) by mathematician and philosopher William Dembski discusses eliminating chance as an explanation for improbable objects.
5. Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? (2000) by Jonathan Wells critiques eleven examples (icons) commonly taught in textbooks as support for evolution.
6. The Privileged Planet: How Our Place in the Cosmos is Designed for Discovery (2004) by Guillermo Gonzalez and Jay W. Richards discuss the case for Earth as a unique planet designed for life.
7. Genetic Entropy & The Mystery of the Genome (2005) by John C. Sanford explores genetics, natural selection, mutations, and their destructive effect on the human genome.
8. The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism (2007) by Michael J. Behe discusses the limits of mutation and natural selection as a constructive mechanism.
9. Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design (2009) by Stephen C. Meyer gives an extensive discussion of the philosophy of science and the implausibility of chemical evolution.
10. Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design (2013) by Stephen C. Meyer critics biological evolution in light of the Cambrian explosion.
11. Darwin Devolves: The New Science About DNA That Challenges Evolution (2019) by Michael J. Behe discusses recent DNA evidence and how it discredits evolution as a constructive process.
12. The Stairway to Life: An origin-of-Life Reality Check (2020) by Change Laura Tan and Rob Stadler evaluate the required steps necessary for chemical evolution and its impossibility.