A Theory's Evolution

produced

Such a catastrophic outcome. Optimists and the

religiously

Inclined will naturally prefer evolution as an

explanation,

Since ascribing Design to the state of humanity is

almost

Unbearable. For the rest of us, we must continue to

insist

That the theory of Flawed Design be taught cheek

and jowl,

Neck and neck, mano e mano, with Mr. Darwin's

Speculations. The Theory postulates a creator who

is Mentally

Impaired, either through some genetic defect or

because of

Substance abuse, and is predisposed to behave in a

sociopathic

Manner; although some Benign Flawed Design

theorists, as

They call themselves, posit the radical alternative

that the

Creator was distracted or inattentive and the flaws

are not the

Result of Malevolent Will but incompetence or

incapacity.

Charles Bernstein is Donald T. Regan Professor of English at the University of Pennsylvania and a fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Contact him at charles.bernstein@english.upenn.edu.