Suicide prevention in a virtual environment: a roadmap for simulation-based education.

OBJECTIVE: to build and validate a simulation-based education roadmap on suicide prevention in the virtual environment. METHOD: methodological research subdivided into a development and validation stage. The roadmap was built using a previously drafted template based on international guidelines on good clinical simulation practices and scientific literature on suicide prevention in the virtual environment. For validation, the roadmap was validated by experts through self-application of an assessment form with answers based on "adequate, fair, and inadequate", with a field for suggestions. Descriptive statistics and the Content Validity Index (CVI≥0.8) were used. RESULTS: nine experts took part in the study, the majority of whom were nurses (66.7%), female (55.6%), with an average age of 42.22 years. All the items in the roadmap met the acceptance criteria (CVI≥0.8). CONCLUSION: this study provides a useful roadmap for teaching suicide prevention in the virtual environment. BACKGROUND: (1) Innovative study on suicide prevention, simulated teaching, and the virtual environment. (2) Script validated by experts and available in full for simulated teaching. (3) Introduction of a prototype of a fictional virtual social network for simulated practice. (4) Results indicated the appropriateness of the construction, with good agreement in the analyses. (5) The script enhances professional training and development in the mental health context.

Analyzing 14-years of suicide rates in Chile: Impact of alcohol policy, domestic violence, and a suicide prevention program.

Suicide is a major public health problem worldwide with far-reaching effects on families, communities, and societies. Influencing factors range from macro-level interventions like alcohol control policies and suicide prevention programs to individual contributors such as alcohol abuse and domestic violence. This study aimed to examine the relationship between Chile's suicide rate changes from 2002 to 2015 and the Alcohol Act of 2004, a national suicide prevention program implemented in 2007, alcohol abuse, and domestic violence. Assembling a unique longitudinal dataset from Chilean public institutions, the study employed an instrumental variable time-series cross-regional design. Results indicated that the Alcohol Act was not associated with suicide rates, domestic violence exhibited a significant association with increased suicide rates, and the national suicide prevention program was linked to reductions in suicide rates, especially among males. These findings align with research from neighbouring countries, showcasing the efficacy of suicide prevention programs in decreasing suicide rates in Chile. Results highlight the importance of integrating protocols to early-detect domestic violence in suicide prevention programs, as well as the need to further improving alcohol control policies to complement suicide prevention programs.

Suicide prevention in a virtual environment: a roadmap for simulation-based education / Prevención del suicidio en un entorno virtual: guion para la enseñanza basada en una simulación / Prevenção do suicídio em ambiente virtual: roteiro para ensino baseado em simulação

Objective: to build and validate a simulation-based education roadmap on suicide prevention in the virtual environment. Method: methodological research subdivided into a development and validation stage. The roadmap was built using a previously drafted template based on international guidelines on good clinical simulation practices and scientific literature on suicide prevention in the virtual environment. For validation, the roadmap was validated by experts through self-application of an assessment form with answers based on "adequate, fair, and inadequate", with a field for suggestions. Descriptive statistics and the Content Validity Index (CVI≥0.8) were used. Results: nine experts took part in the study, the majority of whom were nurses (66.7%), female (55.6%), with an average age of 42.22 years. All the items in the roadmap met the acceptance criteria (CVI≥0.8). Conclusion: this study provides a useful roadmap for teaching suicide prevention in the virtual environment.

Objetivo: elaborar y validar un guion de enseñanza basada en la simulación sobre la prevención del suicidio en el entorno virtual. Método: investigación metodológica subdividida en etapa de elaboración y validación. La elaboración se realizó a partir de un template creado previamente y basado en lineamientos internacionales sobre buenas prácticas de simulación clínica y literatura científica sobre prevención del suicidio en el entorno virtual. Para la validación los especialistas validaron el guion mediante la autoaplicación de un formulario de evaluación cuyas respuestas son: "adecuado, regular e inadecuado", con un campo para sugerencias. Se utilizó estadística descriptiva e Índice de Validez de Contenido (IVC≥0,8). Resultados: participaron nueve especialistas, la mayoría enfermeros (66,7%), mujeres (55,6%), con una edad promedio de 42,22 años. Todos los elementos del guion cumplieron con el criterio de aceptación (IVC≥0,8). Conclusión: este estudio proporciona un guion útil para la enseñanza sobre la prevención del suicidio en el entorno virtual.

Objetivo: construir e validar um roteiro de ensino baseado em simulação sobre a prevenção do suicídio no ambiente virtual. Método: pesquisa metodológica subdividida em etapa de construção e validação. A construção foi realizada a partir de um template previamente elaborado e embasado por diretrizes internacionais em boas práticas de simulação clínica e literatura científica sobre a prevenção do suicídio no ambiente virtual. Para a validação, o roteiro foi validado por especialistas por meio de autoaplicação de formulário de avaliação com respostas baseadas em: "adequado, regular e inadequado", com campo para as sugestões. Foi utilizada a estatística descritiva e o Índice de Validade de Conteúdo (IVC≥0,8). Resultados: participaram nove especialistas, sendo a maioria enfermeiras (66,7%), gênero feminino (55,6%), com média de idade de 42,22 anos. Todos os itens do roteiro alcançaram o critério de aceitação (IVC≥0,8). Conclusão: este estudo disponibiliza um roteiro útil para ser empregado no ensino sobre a prevenção do suicídio no ambiente virtual.

"InspirAção": Development and use of a website to prevent suicidal behavior.

AIM: To describe the development and divulgation of a website for the prevention of suicidal behavior and to analyze posted themes and access metrics. METHOD: Mixed study developed from 2019 to 2020 on the "InspirAção" website. All user posts were collected from WordPress and subjected to thematic analysis. The access metrics were obtained by Google Analytics. RESULTS: The development of the website contains systematically planned steps to meet international recommendations. In the initial six months of the site, there were 64,628 views and 18,161 sessions from different countries. The main themes posted by users were "Life and what gives it meaning", "Love, comfort and acceptance", "Self-knowledge, authenticity and transformation" and "Overcoming, altruism and transcendence". CONCLUSIONS: "InspirAção" contains innovative features, incorporates protective factors and meets requirements for online and community suicide prevention. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee (CAAE: 08563019.5.0000.5393).

Inspiration project: Motivation, experiences, messages of support, overcoming and prevention of suicidal behavior.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of that study was to analyze reasons for living, overcoming experiences and messages of support directed to people with suicidal behavior. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in the categories: "Social, Interpersonal and Emotional Stressors", "Emotional and Relational Needs", "Persistence and Resilience", "Counseling", and "Barriers to Help Someone at Risk of Suicide", in which was expressed the importance of social support, persistence and resilience, counseling people in distress and identifying important barriers to help someone at suicide risk. CONCLUSION: This study reveals experiences and behaviors related to helping people at risk, coping mechanisms, risk and protective factors related to suicide prevention.

A comunicação nos ambientes virtuais e o comportamento suicida / Communication in virtual environments and suicidal behavior

O comportamento suicida é multideterminado e precisa ser investigado em diversos contextos e ambientes, inclusive em ambientes virtuais. São necessárias pesquisas sobre a comunicação relacionada à saúde mental em mídias sociais. Este estudo foi subdividido em três etapas. A primeira etapa teve como objetivo analisar as características e os temas de postagens relacionadas ao suicídio publicadas no Twitter provenientes de locais com os menores e maiores coeficientes de óbitos por suicídio do Estado de São Paulo - Brasil. Na primeira etapa, foi realizado estudo misto com 804 postagens do Twitter do período de 2006 a 2018. Foram avaliadas as associações entre características das postagens e as postagens pró-suicidas foram submetidas à analise temática. As cidades com menores coeficientes de óbitos por suicídio publicaram mais sobre o tema, contudo, a maioria das publicações desses locais não expunha conteúdos potencialmente danosos e não expressava comportamento suicida e sofrimento; as postagens sobre suicídio em um local não estão necessariamente ligadas a maior mortalidade pelo suicídio. A segunda etapa da tese teve o objetivo de investigar as evidências científicas sobre recomendações e melhores práticas para a comunicação segura sobre o comportamento suicida, no ambiente online. Foi realizada revisão sistemática da literatura e as recomendações foram: encorajar a busca de ajuda, autocuidado, descrever e monitorar sinais de alerta, entendimento do suicídio como complexo e de múltiplas causas, oferecimento de esperança, observação das atividades online, evitar conotações pejorativas, especulações e descrição de métodos. Na terceira etapa da tese, foram analisadas barreiras e facilitadores da comunicação segura sobre o suicídio. A pesquisa foi realizada no período de outubro de 2018 a fevereiro de 2019, com 338 indivíduos. Os dados foram coletados pelo Google Forms e submetidos à Análise Temática. Os facilitadores identificados foram: incentivo para a busca de ajuda profissional, propensão a oferecer ajuda e crença na possibilidade de superação. As barreiras foram relacionadas ao estigma, responsabilização, recusa de ajuda, dificuldade em ofertar ajuda e a preocupação com o despreparo ao lidar com a temática. Dentre as possibilidades ambivalentes, surgiram questões relacionadas à religiosidade e também ao aconselhamento/experiência prévia. Os achados deste estudo podem contribuir para a melhoria da comunicação segura sobre o comportamento suicida, principalmente nos ambientes virtuais

Suicidal behavior is multidetermined and needs to be investigated in different contexts and environments, including virtual spaces. Research on communication related to mental health on social media is needed. This study was divided into three stages. The first stage aimed to analyze the characteristics and themes of suicide-related posts published on Twitter from places with the lowest and highest suicide death rates in the State of São Paulo - Brazil. In the first stage, a mixed study was conducted with 804 Twitter posts from 2006 to 2018. Associations between post characteristics and pro-suicidal postings were submitted for thematic analysis. Cities with lower suicide death rates reported more on the topic, however, most publications in these locations did not expose potentially harmful content and did not express suicidal behavior and suffering. Therefore, suicide posts in one location are not necessarily linked to higher suicide mortality. The second stage of the thesis aimed to investigate the scientific evidence for the recommendations and best practices regarding safe communication about suicidal behavior online. A systematic literature review was carried out and the recommendations were: encouraging the search for help, self-care, describing and monitoring warning signs, understanding suicide as complex and with multiple causes, offering hope, observing online activities, avoiding pejorative connotations, speculating, and describing methods. In the third stage of the thesis, the barriers and facilitators of safe communication about suicide were analyzed. The survey was carried out from October 2018 to February 2019, with 338 individuals. The data was collected by Google Forms and submitted for Thematic Analysis. The identified facilitators were: incentive to seek professional help, the propensity to offer help, and the belief in the possibility of overcoming. The barriers were related to stigma, accountability, refusal of help, difficulty in offering help, and concern with unpreparedness when dealing with the topic. Among the ambivalent possibilities, issues related to religiousness and also to counseling / previous experience arose. The findings of this study can contribute to the improvement of safe communication about suicidal behavior, especially in virtual environments.

Antimicrobial metal-based nanoparticles: a review on their synthesis, types and antimicrobial action.

The investigation of novel nanoparticles with antimicrobial activity has grown in recent years due to the increased incidence of nosocomial infections occurring during hospitalization and food poisoning derived from foodborne pathogens. Antimicrobial agents are necessary in various fields in which biological contamination occurs. For example, in food packaging they are used to control food contamination by microbes, in the medical field the microbial agents are important for reducing the risk of contamination in invasive and routine interventions, and in the textile industry, they can limit the growth of microorganisms due to sweat. The combination of nanotechnology with materials that have an intrinsic antimicrobial activity can result in the development of novel antimicrobial substances. Specifically, metal-based nanoparticles have attracted much interest due to their broad effectiveness against pathogenic microorganisms due to their high surface area and high reactivity. The aim of this review was to explore the state-of-the-art in metal-based nanoparticles, focusing on their synthesis methods, types, and their antimicrobial action. Different techniques used to synthesize metal-based nanoparticles were discussed, including chemical and physical methods and "green synthesis" methods that are free of chemical agents. Although the most studied nanoparticles with antimicrobial properties are metallic or metal-oxide nanoparticles, other types of nanoparticles, such as superparamagnetic iron-oxide nanoparticles and silica-releasing systems also exhibit antimicrobial properties. Finally, since the quantification and understanding of the antimicrobial action of metal-based nanoparticles are key topics, several methods for evaluating in vitro antimicrobial activity and the most common antimicrobial mechanisms (e.g., cell damage and changes in the expression of metabolic genes) were discussed in this review.

Assistance related to suicidal behavior at a mobile emergency service: Sociodemographic and clinical associated factors.

It is important to investigate the care given to people with suicidal behavior, as it is an important predictor of future death by suicide and there is a lack of studies on this issue in Brazil. This study had the objective of investigating assistance related to suicidal behavior at a mobile emergency service and sociodemographic and clinical associated factors. This was a quantitative, cross-sectional study based on documental information. The data were collected through manual consultation of nursing records in which call-outs for suicidal behavior in the year 2014 were documented. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, correlation tests, and comparison of means tests. In the 313 records analyzed there was a predominance of adult women with self-inflicted drug poisoning, attended to in their own residence and referred to pre-hospital emergency medical services. There was a lack of documentation on signs, symptoms, and grievances in most cases. The interventions most carried out by the nurses were related to monitoring of clinical parameters. There were differences related to the victim's sex and lethality, suicide attempt method, referral to emergency services, and semester of occurrence (January-June, July-December). Suicide attempts through self-poisoning or self-inflicted injuries differed in relation to time of call-out, waiting time, lethality, documentation on clinical assessment and interventions, and referral to emergency services. This study enabled the charting of factors linked with suicidal behavior and associated factors; it offers reflections on limitations and nursing care potential in the prevention of reoccurrence of suicidal behavior.

Expressed emotion and socio-demographic and clinical factors in families of Brazilian patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Families are the main caregivers of people with schizophrenia. Family dynamic and expressed emotion (EE) of relatives are fundamental determinants on the course of schizophrenia. METHOD: This study analyzed socio-demographic and clinical factors related to EE components. A total of 94 dyads (patients with schizophrenia and their relatives) were recruited from three mental health clinics. A form containing socio-demographic and clinical variables and the Brazilian version of Family Questionnaire were used and the data were analyzed through regression model. RESULTS: Results showed that factors such as patients' occupation status and patients' age, as well as relatives' gender and the degree of relatedness, were related to emotional overinvolvement and critical comments levels. CONCLUSION: This is the first study in the Brazilian cultural context that evaluates EE components and related factors on families of patients with schizophrenia. Other studies concerning EE on different cultural contexts and possible interventions must be carried out to help health professionals to improve patient and family care.

Tentativa de suicídio entre pessoas com transtornos mentais e comportamentais / Suicide attempts among people with mental and behavioral disorders

Objetivo: investigar a relação tentativa de suicídio e características sociodemográficas e psiquiátricas de pacientes com transtornos psiquiátricos. Método: estudo quantitativo, transversal, com 410 pacientes atendidos em um Centro de Atenção Psicossocial. Os dados foram analisados por meio de estatística descritiva e inferencial e tabulados no SPSS, versão 21.0. Resultados: dentre os 410 prontuários analisados, foram encontrados 22,9% dos prontuários com registro de tentativa de suicídio. A tentativa de suicídio foi mais frequente em homens, adultos, entre 19 e 59 anos, sem vínculo matrimonial, com baixa escolaridade e inatividade laboral. Ainda se identificou associação de tentativa de suicídio com comorbidade psiquiátrica e história de abuso físico ou sexual, acidente ou violência doméstica, violências, acidentes, perdas importantes, perdas ou separação dos pais e conflitos familiares. Conclusão: pacientes em tratamento no centro de atenção psicossocial com comorbidade psiquiátrica e história de experiência traumática apresentam maior risco de comportamento suicida.(AU)

Características pessoais e familiares entre adolescentes infratores / Características personales y familiares entre los adolescentes infractores / Personal Characteristics and family among teens offenders

Descrever sobre as características pessoais e familiares entre adolescentes infratores em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa. Método: trata-se de uma pesquisa quantitativa desenvolvida com 40 adolescentes em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa. Foram utilizados como instrumentos de coletas de dados os questionários Teen Addiction Severity Index e o Drug Use Screening Inventory. Resultados: verificou-se idade média de 16,78 anos com 5,48±3,55 meses em cumprimento de medida socioeducativa. A maioria se declarou parda, evangélica e com Ensino Fundamental incompleto. O tráfico foi o ato infracional mais frequente e a maconha a droga de uso mais comum. A maioria relatou que os familiares já tiveram problemas em casa, no trabalho ou com amigos por causa do uso de drogas e é expressivo o número de familiares que também apresenta conflito com a lei. Conclusão: identificou-se influência da família na vida do adolescente no que se relaciona ao ato infracional e ao uso de drogas...

Describes about the personal and family characteristics among juvenile delinquents in compliance with socioeducational measures. Method: performed quantitative research conducted with 40 adolescents in compliance with socioeducational measures. It was used as data collection instruments Teen Addiction Severity Index and the Drug Use Screening Inventory. Results: there was a mean age of 16.78 years with 5.48 ± 3.55 months in compliance with socioeducational measures, most declare themselves browns, evangelicals, with incomplete primary education. The traffic was the most frequent offense and marijuana the drug most commonly used. Most reported that family members have had problems at home, at work or with friends because of the use of these drugs and the family is significant number also have trouble with the law. Conclusion: family influence was identified in teenage life as it relates to offenses and drug use...

Describe las características personales y familiares entre los delincuentes juveniles en el cumplimiento de las medidas socio-educativas. Método: investigación cuantitativa realizada con 40 adolescentes en cumplimiento de las medidas socio-educativas. Fue utilizado como instrumentos de recolección de datos de Teen Addiction Severity Index y el Drug Use Screening Inventory. Resultados: hubo una edad media de 16,78 años, con 5,48 ± 3,55 meses en el cumplimiento de medidas socioeducativas, la mayoría se declaran los marrones, los evangélicos, con educación primaria incompleta. El tráfico era el delito más frecuente y la marihuana la droga de mayor consumo. La mayoría informó que miembros de la familia han tenido problemas en el hogar, en el trabajo o con amigos, debido a la utilización de estos fármacos y la familia es importante número también tienen problemas con la ley. Conclusión: influencia de la familia fue identificado en la vida adolescente y su relación con los delitos y el consumo de drogas...

Comportamento suicida em redes sociais virtuais / Comportamiento suicida en redes sociales virtuale / Suicidal behavior in virtual social networks

Introdução: O surgimento do mundo virtual a partir da Internet levou a processos de transformação social, alterando as vidas das pessoas e as formas de se comunicar e adquirir conhecimento. Com o avanço e ampliação das tecnologias de informação e comunicação surge o interesse acerca do suicídio no ambiente online, já que existem páginas na Internet sobre essa temática. Dessa forma o objetivo geral deste estudo foi estudar os blogs com conteúdo sobre suicídio nas redes sociais virtuais. Como objetivos específicos, buscou-se identificar na literatura científica a produção acerca da comunicação através de redes sociais virtuais e suicídio; analisar o conteúdo de blogs brasileiros e portugueses sobre suicídio na Internet de acordo com os cinco níveis de Análise do Discurso Mediado por Computador e compreenderos significados das comunicações em blogs sobre suicídio a partir da análise de conteúdo dos posts e comentários. Método: Para melhor alcançar os objetivos propostos, foi realizada revisão integrativa da literatura, estudo qualitativo de análise de discurso mediado pelo computador para avaliar os cinco níveis da linguagem e estudo de análise de conteúdo a partir dos comentários e posts encontrados nos blogs...

Introdução: O surgimento do mundo virtual a partir da Internet levou a processos detransformação social, alterando as vidas das pessoas e as formas de se comunicar e adquirirconhecimento. Com o avanço e ampliação das tecnologias de informação e comunicação surgeo interesse acerca do suicídio no ambiente online, já que existem páginas na Internet sobre essatemática. Dessa forma o objetivo geral deste estudo foi estudar os blogs com conteúdo sobresuicídio nas redes sociais virtuais. Como objetivos específicos, buscou-se identificar naliteratura científica a produção acerca da comunicação através de redes sociais virtuais esuicídio; analisar o conteúdo de blogs brasileiros e portugueses sobre suicídio na Internet deacordo com os cinco níveis de Análise do Discurso Mediado por Computador e compreenderos significados das comunicações em blogs sobre suicídio a partir da análise de conteúdo dosposts e comentários. Método: Para melhor alcançar os objetivos propostos, foi realizada revisãointegrativa da literatura, estudo qualitativo de análise de discurso mediado pelo computadorpara avaliar os cinco níveis da linguagem e estudo de análise de conteúdo a partir doscomentários e posts encontrados nos blogs...

Desenvolvimento e validação de software educativo de saúde mental / Development and validation of a mental health educational software / Desarrollo y validación de software de educación de la salud mental

O ensino mediado por tecnologias é tendência crescente na atualidade. Este trabalho tem como objetivo descrever o processo de desenvolvimento e validação do software educativo Quiz Loucura, desenvolvido para ser utilizado como recurso didático no ensino de saúde mental. Os objetivos do software foram definidos em função da importância do ensino-aprendizagem de conteúdos específicos e de formação geral na área da saúde mental para alunos de enfermagem e validado de acordo com o Método de Reeves. Para desenvolvimento do software foram utilizadas ferramentas do Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 e linguagens de programação ASP.NET MVC e Silverlight. O software educativo pode ser utilizado como tecnologia inovadora de apoio no ensino-aprendizagem de conteúdo de formação geral e específica da área da saúde mental.

Teaching mediated through technologies is a growing trend nowadays. This study aims to describe the process of development and validation ofthe Quiz Madness educational software designed to be used as a teaching resource in mental health education. The objectives of the software weredefined based on the importance of the teaching-learning process of specific and general contents for training nursing students in the mental healthfield. The software was developed using tools from Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 and the ASP.NET MVC and Silverlight programming languages andvalidated according to the Method of Reeves. The educational software can be used as an innovative technology to support the teaching-learningprocess of general and specific content for training in the mental health field.

La enseñanza mediada por tecnologías es una tendencia creciente en la actualidad. Este trabajo tiene como objetivo describir el desarrollo y validacióndel software educativo Quiz Locura desarrollado para ser utilizado como recurso didáctico en la enseñanza de salud mental. Los objetivos del programa fueron definidos de acuerdo a la importancia de la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de contenidos específicos y de formación general en el área de saludmental para los estudiantes de enfermería y validado de acuerdo con el método de Reeves. Para desarrollar el software se utilizaron las herramientas del Microsoft Visual Studio 2010 y lenguajes de programación ASP.NET MVC y Silverlight. El software educativo puede ser utilizado como una tecnología innovadora de apoyo para la enseñanza y el aprendizaje de contenidos de formación general y específica en el área de salud mental.

Detecting mood disorder in resource-limited primary care settings: comparison of a self-administered screening tool to general practitioner assessment.

OBJECTIVES: Although efficacious treatments for mood disorders are available in primary care, under-diagnosis is associated with under-treatment and poorer outcomes. This study compares the accuracy of self-administered screening tests with routine general practitioner (GP) assessment for detection of current mood disorder. METHODS: 197 consecutive patients attending primary care centres in Santiago, Chile enrolled in this cross-sectional study, filling out the Patients Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for depression and the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) for bipolar disorder, after routine GP assessment. Diagnostic accuracy of these self-administered tools was compared with GP assessment, with gold standard diagnosis established by a structured diagnostic interview with trained clinicians (SCID-I). RESULTS: The sample was 75% female, with a mean age of 48.5 (SD 16.8); 37% had a current mood disorder (positive SCID-I result for depression or bipolar disorder). Sensitivity of the screening instruments (SI) was substantially higher than GP assessment (SI: 0.8, [95% CI 0.71, 0.81], versus GP: 0.2, [95% CI 0.12, 0.25]: p-value < 0.0001), without sacrifice in specificity (SI: 0.9, [95% CI 0.86, 0.96], versus GP: 0.9, [95% CI 0.88, 0.97]: p-value = 0.7). This led to improvement in both positive predictive value (SI: 0.8, [95% CI 0.82, 0.90], versus GP: 0.6, [95% CI 0.50, 0.64]: p-value < 0.001) and negative predictive value (SI: 0.9, [95% CI 0.78, 0.91] versus GP: 0.7, [95% CI 0.56, 0.72]: p-value < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Self-administered screening tools are more accurate than GP assessment in detecting current mood disorder in low-income primary care. Such screening tests may improve detection of current mood disorder if implemented in primary care settings.

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.