What is the theory that claims that certain life features were brought about by an intelligent designer?

The theory that asserts certain features of life were caused by the involvement of an intelligent designer is known as Intelligent Design Theory. This concept posits that certain biological structures and systems are too complex or well-organized to have arisen purely through natural processes such as evolution by natural selection. Proponents of this theory argue that the complexity and intricacy of life forms suggest the guidance of a deliberate intelligence, rather than random chance.

Intelligent Design Theory emphasizes the idea that some aspects of the universe and living things are best explained by an intelligent cause rather than an undirected process like natural selection, which is a core concept of evolutionary theory. This distinction is important because while evolutionary theory explains biological diversity through natural mechanisms, Intelligent Design suggests the existence of a purposeful designer behind certain features.

The other concepts listed have different focuses; for example, Creationism is a belief system rooted in a literal interpretation of religious texts regarding the origin of life, while Evolutionary Theory encompasses a broader scientific framework explaining how species change over time through processes like mutation and selection. Natural selection specifically refers to the mechanism proposed by Darwin to explain how advantageous traits become more common in a population over generations.