Book Reviews: Evolution, Creationism, Intelligent Design
The debate over evolution and creationism can be very divisive in the United States. Which is the best explanation of the current diversity of life on Earth? Should both be taught in public schools? Are both evolution and creationism science, religion, or psuedoscience?
Evolution: A Beginner's Guide
The importance of evolution to the biological sciences, and thus also to science generally, can't be overestimated. Yet despite its importance, there is also widespread ignorance about what evolution is, what it says about life, what it predicts, and how it should be used. Some of this ignorance is due to deliberate misinformation campaigns from religious opponents...
The importance of evolution to the biological sciences, and thus also to science generally, can't be overestimated. Yet despite its importance, there is also widespread ignorance about what evolution is, what it says about life, what it predicts, and how it should be used. Some of this ignorance is due to deliberate misinformation campaigns from religious opponents...
The Spark of Life: Darwin and the Primeval Soup
Life might be said to be one of the defining features of our planet - we certainly haven't identified any other planets with life. Yet how did life arise here? What is the origin of life on our planet and could the same processes have given rise to life elsewhere in the universe?
Life might be said to be one of the defining features of our planet - we certainly haven't identified any other planets with life. Yet how did life arise here? What is the origin of life on our planet and could the same processes have given rise to life elsewhere in the universe?
Perspectives on an Evolving Creation
The prevailing assumption, spread and encouraged by the Christian Right, is that the standard scientific model of evolution contradicts orthodox Christian beliefs; therefore, it’s not possible to adhere to orthodox Christianity while also accepting the truth of evolution and the explanations of evolutionary theory.
The prevailing assumption, spread and encouraged by the Christian Right, is that the standard scientific model of evolution contradicts orthodox Christian beliefs; therefore, it’s not possible to adhere to orthodox Christianity while also accepting the truth of evolution and the explanations of evolutionary theory.
With Pleasure: Thoughts on the Nature of Human Sexuality
Sex is fun. Sex is pleasurable. This is obvious, right? These sorts of things don't need to be said, right? Well, perhaps they do. Everyone realizes that sex is fun and pleasurable (though some seem to wish that it weren't), but the prevailing belief is that sex really only exists for procreation and that pleasure is merely a byproduct. What if the belief is wrong?
Sex is fun. Sex is pleasurable. This is obvious, right? These sorts of things don't need to be said, right? Well, perhaps they do. Everyone realizes that sex is fun and pleasurable (though some seem to wish that it weren't), but the prevailing belief is that sex really only exists for procreation and that pleasure is merely a byproduct. What if the belief is wrong?
The Evolutionists: The Struggle for Darwin's Soul
Within a decade after Charles Darwin published his first book on evolution, most British biologists accepted evolution as true. Today, the entire field of biology accepts the truth of evolution and its status in the field of science is undisputed by scientists. That does not mean, however, that scientists don’t disagree on any of the details.
Within a decade after Charles Darwin published his first book on evolution, most British biologists accepted evolution as true. Today, the entire field of biology accepts the truth of evolution and its status in the field of science is undisputed by scientists. That does not mean, however, that scientists don’t disagree on any of the details.
Kindness In A Cruel World: The Evolution Of Altruism
Religious critics of atheism and evolution allege that without the guiding force of some god, some supernatural power, there can be no reasonable explanation for the development of altruism and morality. In a purely materialistic and evolutionary nature, critics argue, there is no reason for altruism to exist or for us to be moral.
Religious critics of atheism and evolution allege that without the guiding force of some god, some supernatural power, there can be no reasonable explanation for the development of altruism and morality. In a purely materialistic and evolutionary nature, critics argue, there is no reason for altruism to exist or for us to be moral.
Why Intelligent Design Fails
So-called 'Intelligent' Design is very popular among conservative evangelical Christians in America. It is viewed as a 'scientific' alternative to evolutionary theory that avoids the many pitfalls and failures of traditional creationism. For some reason, though, Intelligent Design doesn’t really get any respect or serious attention from scientists. Why is that?
So-called 'Intelligent' Design is very popular among conservative evangelical Christians in America. It is viewed as a 'scientific' alternative to evolutionary theory that avoids the many pitfalls and failures of traditional creationism. For some reason, though, Intelligent Design doesn’t really get any respect or serious attention from scientists. Why is that?
Humankind: A Brief History
What does it mean to be human? This may sound like it should be obvious and, at one time, it was - but not anymore. Science has blurred the once sharp biological distinctions between humans and other primates. Science has also blurred the behavioral differences between humans and other animals.
What does it mean to be human? This may sound like it should be obvious and, at one time, it was - but not anymore. Science has blurred the once sharp biological distinctions between humans and other primates. Science has also blurred the behavioral differences between humans and other animals.
The Triumph of Sociobiology
Is sociobiology a science or an ideology? Does it provide important insights into the evolutionary development and biological bases for human and animal behavior, or is it merely a tool for the elite to justify social inequalities? Such questions can reveal how polarized the debate over sociobiology can be: the subject has received quite a lot of criticism, but to what degree is any of it true?
Is sociobiology a science or an ideology? Does it provide important insights into the evolutionary development and biological bases for human and animal behavior, or is it merely a tool for the elite to justify social inequalities? Such questions can reveal how polarized the debate over sociobiology can be: the subject has received quite a lot of criticism, but to what degree is any of it true?
Trials of the Monkey: An Accidental Memoir
What would Charles Darwin have thought about the infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925? We'll never know - but we can learn something from the perspective of Matthew Chapman, Darwin's great-great-grandson. He takes us on a tour of Dayton in 1925, Dayton in 2000, and even his own life.
What would Charles Darwin have thought about the infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" in Dayton, Tennessee in 1925? We'll never know - but we can learn something from the perspective of Matthew Chapman, Darwin's great-great-grandson. He takes us on a tour of Dayton in 1925, Dayton in 2000, and even his own life.
Species of Origins: America's Search for a Creation Story
Why is there such rancorous conflict in America over creationism and evolution? Other countries don't suffer form this, so why does the United States? Is it simply a question about religion? Is it because of Christian fundamentalism?
Why is there such rancorous conflict in America over creationism and evolution? Other countries don't suffer form this, so why does the United States? Is it simply a question about religion? Is it because of Christian fundamentalism?
Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial
The infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" occupies a pivotal position in American mythology and the evolution debate. On one side was fundamentalist Christianity: narrow minded, dogmatic and intolerant. On the other side was modern science: skeptical, progressive and liberal. In an epic battle, the latter defeated the former and the way was paved for a better future.
The infamous "Scopes Monkey Trial" occupies a pivotal position in American mythology and the evolution debate. On one side was fundamentalist Christianity: narrow minded, dogmatic and intolerant. On the other side was modern science: skeptical, progressive and liberal. In an epic battle, the latter defeated the former and the way was paved for a better future.
Life Evolving: Molecules, Mind, and Meaning
Life is an amazing thing. Throughout human history, we have tried to understand life - what it is, why it exists, and how it has developed. Only in the last fifty years or so, however, have we developed a detailed understanding of life from the tiniest cells up through the workings of the human brain.
Life is an amazing thing. Throughout human history, we have tried to understand life - what it is, why it exists, and how it has developed. Only in the last fifty years or so, however, have we developed a detailed understanding of life from the tiniest cells up through the workings of the human brain.
Fossils, Finches and Fuegians: Charles Darwin's Adventures
Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle is perhaps one of the most famous ocean voyages in the history of humanity - but just how much do you really know about it? Even if you read Darwin's own "Voyage of the Beagle," you probably don't know quite as much as you might imagine. A lot occurred during that trip, not all of which is immediately ascertainable from Darwin's text.
Charles Darwin's voyage on the Beagle is perhaps one of the most famous ocean voyages in the history of humanity - but just how much do you really know about it? Even if you read Darwin's own "Voyage of the Beagle," you probably don't know quite as much as you might imagine. A lot occurred during that trip, not all of which is immediately ascertainable from Darwin's text.
Evolution
What is evolution, and what sort of explanation does it provide for the diversity of life on our planet? Those are important questions, but especially so for the United States, where so few people understand what evolution is and so many simply reject it outright, generally because of their religious convictions.
What is evolution, and what sort of explanation does it provide for the diversity of life on our planet? Those are important questions, but especially so for the United States, where so few people understand what evolution is and so many simply reject it outright, generally because of their religious convictions.
Evolutionary Theory and Victorian Culture
People are generally familiar with the intense religious, political, and social debates about evolution and the teaching of evolution in public schools - but why, specifically, evolution? After all, no other scientific theory is the target of so much attention and so many attacks. Why the difference in reception and attitude?
People are generally familiar with the intense religious, political, and social debates about evolution and the teaching of evolution in public schools - but why, specifically, evolution? After all, no other scientific theory is the target of so much attention and so many attacks. Why the difference in reception and attitude?
Can a Darwinian Be a Christian?
Conflicts between Darwinism and Christianity have existed since Darwin first announced his theory of evolution. Many today assume that the two must be inherently opposed to each other, irreconcilable in terms of premises and conclusions. But is that really true? Is it possible that the two might be entirely compatible? And if so, how?
Conflicts between Darwinism and Christianity have existed since Darwin first announced his theory of evolution. Many today assume that the two must be inherently opposed to each other, irreconcilable in terms of premises and conclusions. But is that really true? Is it possible that the two might be entirely compatible? And if so, how?
Unintelligent Design, by Mark Perakh.
Book Review: One of the most popular forms of "scientific" creationism in America today goes under the label "Intelligent Design." According to supporters, this provides scientific validity to the belief that the universe was created by an intelligent being. Most working scientists disagree with this and even find the "Intelligent Design" movement to be laughable.
Book Review: One of the most popular forms of "scientific" creationism in America today goes under the label "Intelligent Design." According to supporters, this provides scientific validity to the belief that the universe was created by an intelligent being. Most working scientists disagree with this and even find the "Intelligent Design" movement to be laughable.