Intelligent design (ID) is a concept in philosophy and theology that suggests that certain features of the natural world are best explained by the existence of an intelligent creator, rather than through natural processes alone. According to proponents of ID, certain aspects of the natural world, such as the complexity and diversity of life, cannot be explained solely by natural selection and other natural processes, but require the intervention of an intelligent designer.
ID is often associated with the belief in a specific deity or creator, such as the Christian God, although proponents of ID may also appeal to a more generalized notion of an intelligent designer or creators. ID has been promoted by a number of religious organizations and individuals as an alternative to the theory of evolution, and has been the subject of debate and controversy within the scientific and philosophical communities.
Critics of ID argue that it is not a scientifically valid theory, as it does not make testable predictions and relies on unverifiable assumptions about the existence and nature of an intelligent designer. Many scientists also point out that the theory of evolution provides a well-supported explanation for the diversity and complexity of life on Earth, and that there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of an intelligent designer or creator.