The Origin of Man is one of the most important and fascinating subjects that can be considered. It raises several
profound questions:
- Are humans descended from an ape-like creature or were humans directly created?
- Are humans special?
- What are humans designed for?
This presentation will address these questions and describe some of the unique characteristics of humans: upright
stature, agile hands, fine skin, facial expressions, unique language and speech, unique childhood, unique sexuality, unique
DNA, unique brain and unique spirituality. Each of these unique characteristics involves many precise design features
that could not have evolved by chance.
The lecture will give several examples of irreducible design, in which several parts are needed for something
to have any function. There will also be several examples of over-design, where something is designed for
far more than survival.
Professor Burgess will describe how the human being is designed for great purpose in both a physical and spiritual
sense. His lecture will be illustrated with many diagrams and video clips.
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Stuart Burgess is Professor of Design & Nature at Bristol University. His research interests include:
efficiency modelling of structures and mechanisms; design and nature; structural efficiency of trees; insect flight
mechanisms; roller chain wear and efficiency modelling; and car transport efficiency 
He previously worked in industry, designing rocket and satellite systems for the European Space Agency.
In 1993 he was awarded the Turners Gold Medal for the design of the solar array deployment system on the £1.4
billion ENVISAT earth observation satellite. He has published over 100 scientific papers on design in engineering and
nature.
In addition to the Origin of Man, he is the author of Hallmarks of Design—evidence of purposeful
design and beauty in nature; and He Made the Stars Also—what the Bible says about the stars.
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