Missiles & Jackhammers: How Plants Spread Themselves Far and Wide

In *Darwin's Black Box*, Michael J. Behe argues that certain biochemical systems exhibit 'irreducible complexity,' meaning they cannot function if any component is missing. Using examples such as the mousetrap, cilia, blood clotting, and the immune system, Behe contends that these complex systems cannot be explained by Darwinian evolution and must be the result of intelligent design. The book has been a key text in the intelligent design movement and has sparked significant debate on the adequacy of evolutionary theory to explain the complexity of life.

In *The Blind Watchmaker*, Richard Dawkins presents a comprehensive explanation of the theory of evolution through natural selection. He argues against the creationist metaphor of the skilled watchmaker by introducing the concept of a 'blind watchmaker,' where natural selection acts without foresight or purpose. Dawkins uses examples such as the evolution of the eye and computer simulations to illustrate how complexity can arise from simple organisms through cumulative selection. The book also addresses common criticisms of evolution and argues against the existence of a divine creator, emphasizing that the Darwinian world-view is the only known theory that could explain the mystery of our existence.