Intelligent Design Investigation

Possible Explanations

A Habitable Earth  •  5 possible explanations
A Visit With Jesus

This investigation considers 5 possible explanations for the evidence under review. Select an explanation for a closer look at the proposal, the evidence offered in its support, its limitations, unresolved questions, and the Intelligent Design response.

Explanations Considered

Brute Fact

Earth as One Successful Outcome

Earth may be one successful planetary outcome among an enormous number of planets and planetary histories.
Examine this explanation  
Natural Processes

Planetary Evolution and Natural Processes

Earth's habitability may be explained through the natural processes that formed and continually reshape the planet.
Examine this explanation  
Observer Selection

Selection Effects

Observers can only find themselves on a world whose conditions permit observers to exist.
Examine this explanation  
Design

Purposeful Design

The coordinated conditions that make Earth habitable may be interpreted as evidence that the planet and its larger environment reflect purposeful arrangement.
Examine this explanation  
Unknown Explanation

An Explanation Not Yet Known

Future discoveries may reveal that habitable planets arise through processes or combinations of conditions that are not yet understood.
Examine this explanation  
  These explanations are presented for comparison. Each detail page distinguishes the proposal itself from supporting evidence, limitations, unresolved questions, and the Intelligent Design response.