Falling for Science: Asking the Big Questions

by Bernard Beckett

Brilliant examination of evolution vs creationism and of Intelligent Design by an award - winning author. 'What is consciousness? Is evolution compatible with traditional religion? Does time exist or is it just our way of ordering experiences? Could a machine ever think? What do scientists really mean when they call something a fact?' Modern sci...

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Bernard Beckett, born in 1967, is a high school teacher based in Wellington, New Zealand, where he teaches drama, mathematics, and English. Genesis was written while he was in a Royal Society genetics research fellowship investigating DNA mutations. The book has already received international acclaim, including two literary prizes in Beckett's native New Zealand. Rights to Genesis have been sold in twenty-one countries.

Reviews

[D.A. Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting, and previously unknown to me, take on the creation V science debate. Very easy to read mostly, especially if you have a brain for science - which I don't, and very well written. It's funny and clever and the author shows no pretension which I appreciated. Obviously a knowledgeable and intelligent person, he is not condescending as he simplifies and logically explains his theories. It's a balanced critique of various philosophies and a fascinating look at some of the the most influential thinkers in history.

This is one of the best and most reasonable books I have read on the issue of creation v science, and although I fundamentally disagree with the author, ie I do believe in a creator God, I really enjoyed having my mind expanded and my thinking challenged in such an inoffensive way.

[David Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A useful introduction to some existential questions. The author loves science and rejects the mystical. His essential endeavour is to highlight the distinction between science and what he calls 'stories', and to show that people - including scientists - are forever confusing the two.

For instance (this is my example), when we die, our body ceases to function and then decays. This is all that science allows us to say. To claim that there's no life after death is not scientific; it is a story some people tell, an interpretation and extension of what science shows. This is a useful point to make, and he applies it in a number of key areas, particularly evolution and consciousness.

The book is easy to read, even chatty, and witty to a fault. Flippant asides often clutter the text that sound like he's trying too hard, but they do sometimes serve to sugar hefty intellectual pills. Even if you're familiar with the subject matter, this is the kind of book that can provide insights because it is intelligent but keeps things simple.