[Tribune7]

But what if the "design" could be reduced to the choice of one fundamental symmetry, with everything in nature following as an expression of it?

The question would still be: Was the fundamental symmetry designed by an intelligence?

Does the selection of the appropriate symmetry not count as design?

It would.

Or does the intelligence consciously have to trace the shape of every mud puddle, and intentionally select the location of every crater on the moon? To what extent can nature be trusted to govern her own affairs, and have the outcome still be called "designed"?

That's a permutation to be pondered after the matter of the "intelligent designer's" existence is established.

[Physicist]

Then at that level I believe that the universe was "designed", although I think you've broadened the meaning of the word to encompass almost every possible metaphysics. Beyond the choice of the highest symmetry, the "designer", I believe, did nothing, because nothing else was needed.

[balrog666]

That's a permutation to be pondered after the matter of the "intelligent designer's" existence is established.

Established?

Oh, and I know it's a crude queston, but what if the "intelligent designer" was drunk that day (or the godly equivalent) and the universe was just an messy accident (as I meant with the chicken fart possibility). Would that matter? Would that change anything in your belief? Does it have to be your conception of an ID'er or will any one do?