Doubting Darwin: Creationist Designs on Evolution (Blackwell Public Philosophy Series)

Doubting Darwin: Creationist Designs on Evolution (Blackwell Public Philosophy Series)
by Sahotra Sarkar

Doubting Darwin: Creationist Designs on Evolution (Blackwell Public Philosophy Series)
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Book Summary Information

Author: Sahotra Sarkar
Edition: Paperback
Published: 2007-04-20
ISBN: 1405154918
Number of pages: 232
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Book Reviews of Doubting Darwin: Creationist Designs on Evolution (Blackwell Public Philosophy Series)

Book Review: A thorough trashing.
Summary: 3 Stars

This rather technical (think roughly Scientific American as opposed to New Scientist magazines) response to the putative "arguments" for intelligent design provides a thorough refutation of this form of creationism. It does this without claiming too much for science (there are frank admissions about the gaps in our understanding of certain mechanisms, but no problems that cannot at the least be solved in principle). It also does this with very infrequent reference to religion or the supernatural. Even though it must be acknowledged that for most intelligent design promoters, the motivation behind their support is religious, the author treats the intelligent design position as series of hypotheses that can be critically examined and tested, not as some metaphysical doctrine that cannot be falsified. Using the tools of science from peer reviewed documents, observation, field and lab work, and most especially, math and logic, it is demonstrated with cogent clarity that while there is much that seems improbable about evolutionary theory, there is nothing that is implausible, and the tenets of the theory are by far the best inference from the evidence. Intelligent design, by contrast, rests on unsupportable assumptions, gut intuition, and willing ignorance of inconvenient facts.

Summary of Doubting Darwin: Creationist Designs on Evolution (Blackwell Public Philosophy Series)

Noted biologist and philosopher Sahotra Sarkar exposes the frauds and fallacies of Intelligent Design Theory, and its claim to be ‘good science’.

  • A scientific and philosophical exploration of the debate between evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design in the classroom
  • Puts the debate into its scientific and historical context
  • Looks at a variety of topics, including the relation between Darwinism and modern evolutionary theory, the use of computer science and information theory by the creationists, and the idea of metaphysical naturalism
  • Rejects Intelligent Design’s claim to legitimacy, showing clearly how and why it is an unsuitable alternative to evolutionary biology in the classroom
  • A thought-provoking book for those seeking to understand an intellectual debate that is shaping our education policies
  • Forms part of the provocative and timely Blackwell Public Philosophy series

The debate about what to teach as science in our schools has reached a boiling point, both inside and outside the classroom. From creationism to Intelligent Design, the intrusion of political and religious ideals is damaging the integrity of our public education system. Doubting Darwin? puts the dispute into its scientific and historical context, illuminating the intellectual debate that is shaping educational policy. In his thought-provoking book, noted biologist and philosopher Sahotra Sarkar exposes the frauds and fallacies of Intelligent Design Theory and its claim to be lsquo;good sciencersquo;. An expert exploration of key arguments, Doubting Darwin? adamantly rejects Intelligent Designrsquo;s claim to legitimacy, showing clearly how and why it is an unsuitable alternative to evolutionary biology in the classroom. This book examines the concrete arguments and positions of the Intelligent Design Movement, analyzes the use of computer science and information theory by the creationists, defends metaphysical naturalism, and discusses the relation between Darwin and modern evolutionary theory. Doubting Darwin? is an accessible and engaging read for anyone looking to gain a genuinely informed perspective on this heated debate.

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