“The Pattern of Life”
The Morphological Distribution
Anatomical characteristics (morphology) of
both the fossil & living organisms can be
depicted by points on a multidimensional
graph. We can simplistically demonstrate in
a two-dimensional schematic diagram to
observe some of the patterns that might
emerge. These will illustrate the much more
complex patterns found in the record of life.
Schematic Diagram of Two Traits
The Limits on Variation
Now if we consider just these two dimensions, we
can observe that populations vary within certain
limits prescribed by genetic information. These
limits (represented by ellipses) become a
“yardstick,” established by actual observations of
ancestors and descendants in the field and in the
lab. Even if all our populations do not contain
organisms to fill such ellipses, each group (whether
species, family etc.) might reasonably have varied
similarly over time.
Illustrating the Limits on Variation
Potential Patterns
Now there are multiple patterns that could
conceivably emerge from an exercise like this
(or the more sophisticated and realistic
cladograms employed by taxonomists to classify
different organisms). Consider just two: the data
points plotting along some type of curve, and
the data demonstrating gradual change uniting
disparate groups with gaps no bigger than the
experimental yardstick.
The Trajectory Pattern
Gradual Integradation Pattern
Models of Origins
Now let us consider the patterns that
might be predicted by different models of
origins. This is more difficult to illustrate
with a simple schematic diagram. But if
we “zoom out” and let a single black point
now represent an isolated population (akin
to a species), we can convey some of the
different patterns expected by the
competing models of origins.
The Fixed Species Model
Early Creationists believed that each
species was specially created for its
particular environment and that the
basic morphology was rather rigidly
fixed. Thus one should readily be able
to segregate organisms into their
various created types.
The Fixed Species Pattern
The Predicted Evolution Model
Charles Darwin predicted that as more
fossils were found, the gaps would be filled
in and a clear pattern of ancestors and
descendants would emerge. A pattern of life
that would provide strong evidence of
common descent could feature gradualism
(lower right). But even the mere pattern of
ancestors and descendants (lineages) along
clear trajectories (with a void of organisms
orthoganal) would suffice as solid evidence.
The Predicted Evolution Pattern
The Predicted Evolutionary Tree
Definitive
“Transitional Forms”
Gradual
Evolution
Clear “Common Ancestors”
The Actual Pattern
Rather than fixed species (as some early
creationists once believed) or the clear
phylogeny and gradual evolution (as the
evolutionists predicted), the actual pattern of
life encompasses tremendous potential for
variation within populations and an overall
structure of groups within groups (or “nested
hierarchy”), such that groups are separated
by large (vis-à-vis the “yardstick” of slide 4),
systematic gaps.
The Actual Pattern
The “Common Descent”
Interpretation
The darwinists have interpreted this nested
hierarchy pattern as evidence for evolution,
though the theory does not predict such a
pattern. However, a more pressing problem
is that the actual data are only on the twigs
and leaves. Species lie off to the side of the
alleged “tree” of descent and the huge gaps
are not bridged by plausible intermediate
forms. Evolutionists completely disagree
amongst themselves about ancestors.
The Actual Pattern
Common Descent Quote
“The evolutionary trees that adorn our
textbooks have data only at the tips and
nodes of their branches; the rest is
inference, however reasonable, not the
evidence of fossils.”
(Gould, Stephen J., “Evolution’s Erratic Pace,” Natural History, 1977, p. 14.)
Typical Evolutionary “Tree of Life”
Typical
Evolutionary “Tree
of Life”
Common Descent Illustration
The “Intelligent Design”
Interpretation
Modern Creationists believe that each kind of
organism was designed with a tremendous
potential for genetic variation. This can make it
difficult to readily discriminate kinds, particularly
when only a few bones might remain as
evidence. But this model readily fits the actual
pattern with what might be called a “meadow”
where each stalk identifies a distinct group of
organisms (or holobaramin) whose ancestors
were interfertile.
Intelligent Design Illustration
The Message in the
Pattern of Life
But why would an intelligent designer create
organisms with a pattern of nested hierarchy?
For a rigorous presentation of how the pattern
of life defies naturalistic explanations and how it
communicates the message of a single,
powerful, intelligent Designer, see the book The
Biotic Message in the Genesis Park Store.
Discontinuity Systematics is an area of active
research as creationists seek to use interfertility
and genetic experiments to define holobaramin.