Resumen:
This article offers a fresh perspective on the argument from design by drawing on modern evolutionary computation, which we propose as a more fruitful analogy for divine design than traditional craftsmanship models. We focus on genetic algorithms, which mimic biological evolution through operators that emulate combination, selection, and mutation, and bring new insights from practical experience with such algorithms. Far from being easy to implement, genetic algorithms require carefully designed codifications, operators, and parameters. Very importantly, in genetic algorithms, suboptimality emerges not as a flaw but as an essential trait: exploring imperfect solutions allows uncovering better, creative designs. In addition, imperfection is also linked to robustness: evolutionary outcomes are near optimal and flexible rather than finely tuned and fragile. Because genetic algorithms evolve a population of designs, diversity is both a requisite and a result. Building on the analogy between divine design and evolutionary computation, we argue that a divine designer would appear to value growth, adaptability, robustness, diversity, and creativity above static perfection.
Palabras Clave: Design, Theodicy, Evolution, Engineering, Genetic Algorithms, Evolutionary Computation, Optimization
Índice de impacto JCR-JIF y cuartil WoS: 0,800 - Q3 (2025)
Referencia DOI:
https://doi.org/10.16995/zygon.24840
Publicado en papel: Marzo 2026.
Publicado on-line: Marzo 2026.
Cita:
S. Lumbreras, Ll. Oviedo, P. Jeavons, "The Design Argument Revisited through Evolutionary Computation: Imperfection, Robustness, and Creative Emergence", Zygon, Vol. 61, nº. 1, pp. 221 - 239, Marzo 2026. [Online: Marzo 2026] doi: 10.16995/zygon.24840
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