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Title: Evolution: A Theory in Crisis by Michael Denton ISBN: 0-917561-52-X Publisher: Adler & Adler Pub Pub. Date: August, 2002 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.59 (56 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Evolution: A Theory With Many Holes
Comment: Perhaps no other scientist has been bold enough to admit to the many problems with the biological theory of evolution of life. Most nature programs we see on television portray evolution to be as factual as a round earth or the law of gravity. But is it? In this highly informed and well-documented book, Dr. Denton reveals from primary source material what most in the scientific community do not seem to want the general public to know about this theory:'...His [Darwin's] general theory, that all life on earth had originated and evolved by a gradual successive accumulation of fortuitous mutations, is still, as it was in Darwin's time, a highly speculative hypothesis entirely without direct factual support and very far from the self-evident axiom some of its more aggressive advocates would have us believe.' (p.77). If this is so, then perhaps the scientific community has much explaining to do in light of this and other books by fellow EVOLUTIONISTS.
Ad hominem attacks and ad hoc rescues from those who ignore or distort the facts, or who choose not to see them, will not make them go away. The facts are real, and to glibly call these findings "creationist garbage" is to show great ignorance and bias at its worst. At least this evolutionist is being honest with the facts....the others want to continue living in a fantasy world where their perfect little anti-God theory lives and enjoys no flaws or imperfections. A nice fantasy land, but not much else, especially not unbiased, objective, pure science. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to see an EVOLUTIONIST honestly reveal the weaknesses of a theory that is literally collapsing under weight of its own irrationality.
Rating: 5
Summary: An excellent critique of orthodox darwinism
Comment: Michael Denton marshals a vast array of evidence against the theory of Darwinian evolution and is very convincing in the process. Denton begins by chronicling the exploits of Charles Darwin and shows how his views were formed during his expeditionary journey aboard the HMS Beagle. Then, he shows how the theory came to fruition and how it was either accepted or rejected by the scientists of Darwin's day. Finally, Denton shows how the theory itself went from a theory to an established fact within the scientific community within the span of 100 years.
Although the first half of this book is somewhat philosophical and concept heavy the information in those chapters is very enlightening and proves that there was solid reasoning in the mid 19th century for rejecting Darwin's thesis. Men like Cuiver and Agassiz disagreed with Darwin's hypothesis and pointed to the discontinuity of nature as proof that continuous evolution could not be true. Furthermore, taxonomists and those following the heir arching systems of Linnaeus perceived that nature was ordered more along the lines of archetypes and patterns and that progressive evolution was antithetical to this idea. Instead of viewing groups of animals in parent/daughter relationships, they viewed animal relationships as sister groups where each specimen of a group conformed to the characteristics of the representative archetype of the group. This is still how most taxonomists view relationships between animal groups today and it is in stark contrast to the evolutionary model.
In the latter half of the book Denton lists all of the observational and scientific evidence that argues against evolution. First, the fossil record is discontinuous and offers no evidence that animals gradually evolved from one species into another. Yes, Darwin knew these links were vital to his theory and he and his followers believed they would be discovered in time. Yet, over 120 years later no links have been found and the new fossils that have been discovered paint a picture that is even more discontinuous than the one recognized in Darwin's day. Moreover, work done with selective breeding in domestic animals has illustrated there is a limit that is reached in achieving new characteristics over time. So yes natural selection and mutation can produce new species that are slightly different from the previous one like in birds and dogs, but it cannot explain how an amphibian could become a reptile. Finally, the most convincing and damaging evidence comes from the realm of molecular biology. The comparative analysis done between animal proteins shows that some species are not more intermediate than others. In other words amphibians are just as far removed from reptiles as they are from mammals. Yet, the evolutionary paradigm argues that amphibians evolved into reptiles which evolved into mammals, so amphibians should show more similarity to reptiles than mammals. Most damaging of all the complexity and ingenuity of the cell. To believe this complex and highly organized microscopic factory could be created by random processes borders on outright absurdity if not blind faith.
The last few chapters are very interesting because Denton illustrates that the evolutionary paradigm is in the same position as the geocentric model of medieval astronomy. It's adherents maintain the status quo because an alternate theory has not been presented even though the theory itself has become a monster. It was only until the rival theory of the heliocentric solar system became scientifically more sound and explained the problems inherent in geocentrism that the model became firmly established. Likewise, the evolutionary paradigm is besieged by problems, but no rival theory has arisen to take it's place and explain the inconsistencies. Therefore, the scientific establishment will retain the theory because it's the only one that offers an explanation for the diversity of life.
On a side not, this book in no way endorses creationism. Even though the author is expressing his dissatisfaction and doubt over the evolutionary paradigm, this doesn't mean this book is a blaring endorsement for creationism. Sure, several elements of design and guidance are argued for and this book may strengthen one's faith and commitment to intelligent design, but I don't think that is the primary purpose of this book. The author's primary intent is to catalogue all the evidence against evolution and critique the theory and in this endeavor he does exceedingly well.
Rating: 4
Summary: interesting
Comment: until recently I never thought a critique of evolution would be even mildly interesting, but denton makes very valid points. If you're interested in perhaps the best critique try the hard to get Darwinian Fairytales by David Stove. There is nothing quite like it in the debate literature. One wonders why it is so impossible to get hold of, I assume it can only be because of its heretical nature.
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Title: DARWINS BLACK BOX: THE BIOCHEMICAL CHALLENGE TO EVOLUTION by Michael J. Behe ISBN: 0684834936 Publisher: Free Press Pub. Date: 20 March, 1998 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
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Title: Intelligent Design: The Bridge Between Science & Theology by William A. Dembski, Michael J. Behe ISBN: 0830815813 Publisher: Intervarsity Press Pub. Date: November, 1999 List Price(USD): $22.00 |
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Title: Darwin on Trial by Phillip E. Johnson ISBN: 0830813241 Publisher: Intervarsity Press Pub. Date: November, 1993 List Price(USD): $13.00 |
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Title: Icons of Evolution: Science or Myth? Why Much of What We Teach About Evolution is Wrong by Jonathan Wells, Jody F. Sjogren ISBN: 0895262002 Publisher: Regnery Publishing Pub. Date: January, 2002 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Science and Evidence for Design in the Universe by Ignatius Press, Michael Behe, William A. Dembski, Stephen C. Meyer ISBN: 0898708095 Publisher: Ignatius Press Pub. Date: 01 December, 2000 List Price(USD): $12.95 |
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