Cultura

Natural Theology and the Argument from Design: Assessing its Viability in the Post-Darwinian Era

VOLUME 22, 2025

The Role of Targeted Infra-popliteal Endovascular Angioplasty to Treat Diabetic Foot Ulcers Using the Angiosome Model: A Systematic Review

VOLUME 6, 2023

Olga Petrovna
Moscow State University, Russia

Abstract

The complexity and structure of the universe imply the existence of an intelligent designer. This was the core belief behind the design argument, which was an essential component in defending natural theology. In the past, this was promoted by people such as William Paley whose work greatly inspired the Argument from Design. With the rise of Darwin’s theory of evolution however, the Paley a design argument was severely challenged because Darwin’s theory of evolution offered a purely naturalistic means, known as natural selection, to explain biological complexity without any need for higher powers. For this reason, the classical biological design argument has lost its power to persuade. Nonetheless, the discussion has remained afloat due to modern variations, especially the fine-tuning argument in cosmology. The fundamentals of physical constants have been interpreted by some as evidence of design, claiming that life can only exist in certain highly precise values in fundamental physical constants, which allows the universe to support life. Supporters of this view have largely been silenced by the critics who provided alternative explanations such as the multiverse hypothesis and the anthropic principle. While natural sciences have removed the traditional teleological argument in the realms of biology, there is an absence of definitive proof which carries on the philosophical discourse. This paper explores and analyses how the Argument from Design has transformed since Darwin, arguing its relevance alongside scientific progress and philosophical debate. Though this point is no longer valid proof of God’s existence, it continues to be a fascinating idea that keeps theologians, scientists, and philosophers occupied.

Keywords : Natural Theology (NT), Argument from Design (AFD), Viability (VV), Post-Darwinian Era (PDE).
Erin Saricilar
Lecture in accounting. University of Basrah, College of Administration and Economics, Department of Accounting.

Abstract

Atherosclerotic disease significantly impacts patients with type 2 diabetes, who often present with recalcitrant peripheral ulcers. The angiosome model of the foot presents an opportunity to perform direct angiosome-targeted endovascular interventions to maximise both wound healing and limb salvage. A systematic review was performed, with 17 studies included in the final review. Below-the-knee endovascular interventions present significant technical challenges, with technical success depending on the length of lesion being treated and the number of angiosomes that require treatment. Wound healing was significantly improved with direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty, as was limb salvage, with a significant increase in survival without major amputation. Indirect angioplasty, where the intervention is applied to collateral vessels to the angiosomes, yielded similar results to direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty. Applying the angiosome model of the foot in direct angiosome-targeted angioplasty improves outcomes for patients with recalcitrant diabetic foot ulcers in terms of primary wound healing, mean time for complete wound healing and major amputation-free survival.
Keywords : Diabetic foot ulcer, angiosome, angioplasty