Some considerations about the theory of intelligent design.

The so-called theory of intelligent design (ID) has gained a growing reputation in the Anglo-Saxon culture, becoming a subject of public debate. The approaches that constitute the core of this proposal, however, have been poorly characterized and systematized. The three most significant authors of ID are certainly Michael Behe, William Dembski and Stephen Meyer. Beyond the differences that can be distinguished in the work of each of them, the central fact in their arguments is the complexity of living organisms, which according to these authors, escapes any kind of natural explanation. In effect, according to the authors of ID, the irreducible complexity that can be detected in the natural world would allow to infer design in a scientifically valid way, even though many of them prefer to remain silent regarding the identity and attributes of the designer. We think that under this proposal, remains a deep epistemological confusion, since its very structure combines methodologies that are beyond the scope of historical and natural evolutionary theories. We also reject the claim that ID is a legitimate scientific theory, because it does not exhibit the classical characteristics that a scientific kind of knowledge must have.

Some considerations about the theory of intelligent design

The so-called theory of intelligent design (ID) has gained a growing reputation in the Anglo-Saxon culture, becoming a subject of public debate. The approaches that constitute the core of this proposal, however, have been poorly characterized and systematized. The three most significant authors of ID are certainly Michael Behe, William Dembski and Stephen Meyer. Beyond the differences that can be distinguished in the work of each of them, the central fact in their arguments is the complexity of living organisms, which according to these authors, escapes any kind of natural explanation. In effect, according to the authors of ID, the irreducible complexity that can be detected in the natural world would allow to infer design in a scientifically valid way, even though many of them prefer to remain silent regarding the identity and attributes of the designer. We think that under this proposal, remains a deep epistemological confusion, since its very structure combines methodologies that are beyond the scope of historical and natural evolutionary theories. We also reject the claim that ID is a legitimate scientific theory, because it does not exhibit the classical characteristics that a scientific kind of knowledge must have.

[Spontaneous dissection of the renal artery and kidney infarction: report of two cases]. / Disección espontánea de la arteria renal e infarto renal: Dos casos clínicos.

We report two previously healthy males aged 33 and 37 years, presenting with severe pain in the right and left part of the abdomen, respectively. An abdominal CT scan showed in both a kidney infarction. An angio-CAT scan showed changes compatible with a fibromuscular dysplasia in the renal arterial wall. An angiography showed an intimal tear or complex dissection flap in both cases. Both had a satisfactory evolution with conservative treatment. The relationship between fibromuscular dysplasia and spontaneous dissection of the renal artery is discussed.

Disección espontánea de la arteria renal e infarto renal: dos casos clínicos / Spontaneous dissection of the renal artery ano kidney infarction: report of two cases

We report two previously healthy males aged 33 and 37 years, presenting with severe pain in the right and left part of the abdomen, respectively. An abdominal CT sean showed in both a kidney infarction. An angio-CAT sean showed changes compatible with a fibromuscular dysplasia in the renal arterial wall. An angiography showed an intimal tear or complex dissection flap in both cases. Both had a satisfactory evolution with conservative treatment. The relationship between fibromuscular dysplasia and spontaneous dissection of the renal artery is discussed.