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Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction
The evolution versus creationism conflict is here to stay. Even after their devastating defeat in the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision, advocates of intelligent design and other forms of creationism continue to revise their strategies for undermining the teaching of evolution-and thus of science in general-in American schools. In this revision of Evolution vs. Creationism, Eugenie Scott, one of the leading proponents of teaching evolution in the schools, describes these ever-changing efforts to undermine science education and shows what students, parents, and teachers should be aware of to help ensure that American science education prepares our students to compete in the 21st century.
This second edition of Evolution vs. Creationism will help readers better understand the issues involved in these debates. It expands and updates the original work with:
An insider's look at the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial
A new selection of primary source documents on "The Creationism/Evolution Controversy in the Media"
Up-to-date analysis of the most recent creationist challenges across the country
The revision also expands and updates the collection of primary source documents that address cosmology, law, education, popular culture, and religious issues from all sides of the debate, as well as the resources for further information.
298 pages, Paperback
First published June 30, 2004
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May 8, 2015
I'd been meaning to read this for quite a while and when I saw it in my local library decided to go for it.
The potential reader should be clear that this is not really an 'evenly-balanced' book. The author is firmly opposed to Creationism but she certainly wanted the Creationists' views to appear as far as possible in their own words. It is also not a book about evolution as such, though you may glean some useful information from the book.
It's an interesting enough book and anyone interested in the 'debate' should probably read it, though I soon got a bit bored going through Part III which consists of Creationist claims and counter-claims on a variety of related subjects. Interesting enough but it lacked any real cohesion - to be fair the author was trying to cover as many topics as possible in a limited space.
As an atheist physics graduate I guess I just find it depressing that Creationism can be taken seriously in any form. It seems no different to me from someone claiming to believe in Thor and Odin. Living in the UK the Creationist phenomena seems to be localised in the southern states of the USA but there is always the possibility that it could spread across the Atlantic, not very likely but horrific nonetheless.
The arguments against evolution always seem so contrived, usually relying on deliberate misinformation about evolution and usually followed with the assumption that if evolution was wrong then this is solid proof that the Christian-God-as-portrayed-in-the-Bible must automatically be true. This reasoning is hinted at in this book but it is a point that I don't think is pursued more often. After all if the state educational authorities decided that evolution was 'just a theory' and that Creationism was just as valid then why aren't all the other religions' creation stories just as valid as the Biblical version - all claim to be the true word of their God/gods and all have as much scientific basis as Creationism, i.e. none.
The potential reader should be clear that this is not really an 'evenly-balanced' book. The author is firmly opposed to Creationism but she certainly wanted the Creationists' views to appear as far as possible in their own words. It is also not a book about evolution as such, though you may glean some useful information from the book.
It's an interesting enough book and anyone interested in the 'debate' should probably read it, though I soon got a bit bored going through Part III which consists of Creationist claims and counter-claims on a variety of related subjects. Interesting enough but it lacked any real cohesion - to be fair the author was trying to cover as many topics as possible in a limited space.
As an atheist physics graduate I guess I just find it depressing that Creationism can be taken seriously in any form. It seems no different to me from someone claiming to believe in Thor and Odin. Living in the UK the Creationist phenomena seems to be localised in the southern states of the USA but there is always the possibility that it could spread across the Atlantic, not very likely but horrific nonetheless.
The arguments against evolution always seem so contrived, usually relying on deliberate misinformation about evolution and usually followed with the assumption that if evolution was wrong then this is solid proof that the Christian-God-as-portrayed-in-the-Bible must automatically be true. This reasoning is hinted at in this book but it is a point that I don't think is pursued more often. After all if the state educational authorities decided that evolution was 'just a theory' and that Creationism was just as valid then why aren't all the other religions' creation stories just as valid as the Biblical version - all claim to be the true word of their God/gods and all have as much scientific basis as Creationism, i.e. none.
January 17, 2010
This book is a useful introduction to the debate over evolution, with key arguments by evolutionary theorists and creationists juxtaposed. It is especially distressing that, according to the author, intelligent design (ID) advocates refused permission to add their works to the book. That prevents consideration of ID, an updated form of creation science.
The first parts of the book summarize key assumptions of the two camps, including noting the variations of each "school of thought." Starting with Part III, the book presents snippets of arguments and debates that have been joined by evolutionists and creationists. That is, one can see the "point" and "counterpoint" of arguments. Among the issues: the second law of thermodynamics, the flood of Noah, carbon dating, gaps in the fossil record, and so on.
The downside is that these excerpts tend to be very short. Also a problem is the lack of detail on ID (although that appears to have been beyond the author's control).
All in all, a useful work on the debate between evolution and creationism.
The first parts of the book summarize key assumptions of the two camps, including noting the variations of each "school of thought." Starting with Part III, the book presents snippets of arguments and debates that have been joined by evolutionists and creationists. That is, one can see the "point" and "counterpoint" of arguments. Among the issues: the second law of thermodynamics, the flood of Noah, carbon dating, gaps in the fossil record, and so on.
The downside is that these excerpts tend to be very short. Also a problem is the lack of detail on ID (although that appears to have been beyond the author's control).
All in all, a useful work on the debate between evolution and creationism.
September 21, 2016
في الوقت الذي يتصاعد فيه الجدل داخل وخارج أمريكا حول تدريس «نظرية التطور» و«التصميم الذكي»، قررت إيوجين سكوت، المتخصصة في علم الإنسان الحيوي ورئيسة المركز الوطني لتعليم العلوم لمدة 26 عاماً أن تكتب كتاباً يكون مرجعاً لكل من يريد معرفة هذا الموضوع من مختلف النواحي. «التطور ضد الخلقوية: مقدمة» كتاب متوسط الحجم (300 صفحة)، إلا أن محتواه كبير جداً، فهو ينظر لهذه القضية من نواحي تاريخية، سياسية، قانونية، دينية، علمية وتعليمية ويقدم ذلك بأسلوب مبسّط يفهمه القارىء العادي. يبرز الكتاب وجهتي النظر ويعرض كل منها من مصادرها، حيث تواصلت الكاتبة مع مجموعة كبيرة من الباحثين من أجل السماح لها باقتباس مقالاتهم أو أجزاء من كتبهم بشكل كامل.
منذ البداية تؤكد الكاتبة على أن هذا الجدل ليس على مستوى المجتمع العلمي الذي يؤكد حدوث التطوّر (وإن اختلف حول آلياته وبعض الأمور التفصيلية)، ولكنه جدل على مستوى اجتماعي، حيث ينقسم المجتمع الأمريكي بنسبة متساوية تقريباً بين قبول النظرية ورفضها. تذكر الكاتبة بعد ذلك أعمدة الخلقوية الثلاثة التي تنضوي تحتها كل احتجاجات مؤيديها تقريباً وهي: التشكيك في نظرية التطوّر علمياً، اعتبارها متعارضة مع الدين، والمطالبة بالموازنة في تدريس نظرية التطور والخلقوية (بمختلف مسمياتها).
تطرح بعد ذلك مقدمة فلسفية تتناول فيها نظرية المعرفة بشكل سريع قبل أن تركز على فلسفة العلم وآلياته وطبيعته التي يمكن تلخيصها في أربع كلمات "العلم حقيقة بلا يقين". إحدى أهم النقاط التي تذكرها الكاتبة هي تصحيح الفهم الخاطئ المنتشر لمعنى النظرية العلمية ومساواتها مع الفرضية والتخمين، حيث تشرح هذا المفهوم ومفاهيم علمية أخرى وتبيّن خطأ اعتبار النظريات العلمية حقائق لم تثبت بعد أو لم ترتقِ إلى مستوى الحقيقة. تقسم الكاتبة العلم إلى ثلاثة أقسام: الأفكار الأساسية، الأفكار قيد التداول، والأفكار المتطرفة ومن ثم تقسّم نظرية التطور إلى ثلاثة أقسام كذلك: السلف المشترك، آليات التطور، ونمط التطور وتطرح الآليات التي يمكن وفقاً لها اختبار كل من هذه الأمور. ويتم مقارنة هذا مع الخلق المباشر ومدى إمكانية اخضاع هذه الفكرة للاختبار العلمي.
في الفصل التالي تشرح نظرية التطور وآلياتها مع توضيح بعض الالتباسات الموجودة حولها مثل اعتقاد الكثيرين بأنها تقول بتطور الإنسان من الشيمبانزي أو أنها تشمل أصل الحياة وظهورها. ثم تنتقل إلى العلاقة بين العلم الدين وتوضّح اختصاص العلم بالأمور المادية فقط وعدم قدرته على التعاطي مع الأمور فوق المادية والأخلاقية التي هي من اختصاص الدين. تنتقل بعد ذلك للخلقوية وتشرح أنواعها المختلفة وتطرح قضية تأويل النصوص الدينية. تتوزع الخلقوية في طيف من المعتقدات الدينية المختلفة، يبدأ هذا الطيف من الإيمان بسطحية الأرض في أقصى الطرف إلى الإيمان بالخلق عن طريق التطور في الطرف الآخر.
تستعرض الكاتبة تاريخ الجدل بين التطور والخلقوية مما قبل دارون حتى مطلع القرن العشرين، فتذكر أفكار أفلاطون وأرسطو والأفكار المسيحية ومن ثم أفكار مفكري وعلماء عصر التنوير وصولاً إلى دارون وردة الفعل الدينية على نظرية التطور، والتي لم تكن واحدة، بل انقسمت بين القبول والرفض وما بينهما. ينتقل تركيز الكاتبة بعد ذلك إلى الولايات المتحدة وظهور الحركة المعادية للتطور فيها والتي ارتبطت بالأصولية المسيحية والفهم الحرفي لنصوص الكتاب المقدس. تذكر الكاتبة تاريخ وأحداث «محاكمة سكوبس» في ولاية تينيسي التي حدثت في العام 1925 عندما حظرت هذه الولاية تدريس نظرية التطور. في النصف الأول من القرن العشرين حظرت معظم الولايات في أمريكا تدريس نظرية التطور أو على الأقل قللت من شأنها، ولكن بعد نجاح الاتحاد السوفييتي في ارسال قمر صناعي للفضاء أحس الأمريكيون بأهمية العلم، فقامت المؤسسة الوطنية للعلوم بنشر مناهج تشمل نظرية التطور وتبنتها معظم المدارس الأمريكية.
هنا بدأت جولة جديدة من الصراع، فبعد انتهاء مرحلة حظر تعليم التطور، خصوصاً مع حكم المحكمة الأمريكية العليا في 1968، أصبحت الاستراتيجية الجديدة للخلقويين هي طلب تعليم الخلق المباشر كنظرية مقابلة للتطور. ولأن تدريس الأفكار الدينية في المدارس العامة محظور وفقاً للدستور العلماني لأمريكا، فقد سعى هؤلاء لاظهار الفكرة بمظهر النظرية العلمية، فأسموها «علوم الخلق» في مرحلة أولى، ولما حكمت المحكمة العليا الأمريكية بأن هذه الفكرة دينية تم تغيير المصطلح إلى «التصميم الذكي» مع وجود المضمون ذاته تقريباً، ولذلك صدر حكم قضائي جديد ضد تدريس هذه الفكرة أيضاً. أما الاستراتيجية الحالية فهي محاولة إدخال مواد في الكتب العلمية تشكك في نظرية التطور تحت تسميات من قبيل «تحليل التطور بشكل نقدي» أو «الأدلة مع وضد التطور» أو «نقاط القوة والضعف» أو «التطور نظرية وليس حقيقة» وغيرها. تذهب الكاتبة بعد ذلك في شرح تحليلي لسبب رفض القضاء تدريس «التصميم الذكي» في المدارس الحكومية ولماذا اعتبرته إحدى المحاكم علماً زائفاً وتوقعاتها حول مستقبل الصراع القضائي حول هذا الموضوع.
وفي القسم الأخير تضع الكاتبة اقتباسات مطولة من كتب ومقالات لكل من طرفي الجدل حول مواضيع مختلفة متعلقة بالتطور كالقانون الثاني للديناميكا الحرارية، التأريخ الإشعاعي، المبدأ الأنثروبولوجي، الثغرات في السجل الأحفوري، الانفجار الكمبري، التطور الصغروي والكبروي، الانتقاء الطبيعي وغيرها من المواضيع التي ستكون بلا شك مثيرة للمهتمين بهذا الجدل. تختم الكاتبة بذكر عدد كبير من المصادر الخارجية حول كل من فصول الكتاب الأربعة عشر لمن أراد التوسع في البحث.
بشكل عام الكتاب سلس وسهل الفهم ويحتوي الكثير من الأمثلة التي تبسط الأفكار. وفّقت الكاتبة إلى حد كبير في ترتيب الفصول، خاصة من حيث وضع الفصل حول فلسفة العلم في البداية، حيث أن هذا ضروري لكل من يريد فهم النظريات العلمية بما فيها التطور. اقتباس الكاتبة من طرفي الجدل زاد في موضوعيتها، حيث أنها لا تفرض وجهة نظر معينة، بل تشرح الوقائع بشكل دقيق وتنقل وجهتي النظر ومن ثم تترك الحكم للقارئ. تلخيص موضوع بهذا الحجم ومن جوانب مختلفة في كتاب متوسط الحجم يجعل منه مقدمة رائعة لكل مهتم بهذا الجدل القديم المتجدد.
منذ البداية تؤكد الكاتبة على أن هذا الجدل ليس على مستوى المجتمع العلمي الذي يؤكد حدوث التطوّر (وإن اختلف حول آلياته وبعض الأمور التفصيلية)، ولكنه جدل على مستوى اجتماعي، حيث ينقسم المجتمع الأمريكي بنسبة متساوية تقريباً بين قبول النظرية ورفضها. تذكر الكاتبة بعد ذلك أعمدة الخلقوية الثلاثة التي تنضوي تحتها كل احتجاجات مؤيديها تقريباً وهي: التشكيك في نظرية التطوّر علمياً، اعتبارها متعارضة مع الدين، والمطالبة بالموازنة في تدريس نظرية التطور والخلقوية (بمختلف مسمياتها).
تطرح بعد ذلك مقدمة فلسفية تتناول فيها نظرية المعرفة بشكل سريع قبل أن تركز على فلسفة العلم وآلياته وطبيعته التي يمكن تلخيصها في أربع كلمات "العلم حقيقة بلا يقين". إحدى أهم النقاط التي تذكرها الكاتبة هي تصحيح الفهم الخاطئ المنتشر لمعنى النظرية العلمية ومساواتها مع الفرضية والتخمين، حيث تشرح هذا المفهوم ومفاهيم علمية أخرى وتبيّن خطأ اعتبار النظريات العلمية حقائق لم تثبت بعد أو لم ترتقِ إلى مستوى الحقيقة. تقسم الكاتبة العلم إلى ثلاثة أقسام: الأفكار الأساسية، الأفكار قيد التداول، والأفكار المتطرفة ومن ثم تقسّم نظرية التطور إلى ثلاثة أقسام كذلك: السلف المشترك، آليات التطور، ونمط التطور وتطرح الآليات التي يمكن وفقاً لها اختبار كل من هذه الأمور. ويتم مقارنة هذا مع الخلق المباشر ومدى إمكانية اخضاع هذه الفكرة للاختبار العلمي.
في الفصل التالي تشرح نظرية التطور وآلياتها مع توضيح بعض الالتباسات الموجودة حولها مثل اعتقاد الكثيرين بأنها تقول بتطور الإنسان من الشيمبانزي أو أنها تشمل أصل الحياة وظهورها. ثم تنتقل إلى العلاقة بين العلم الدين وتوضّح اختصاص العلم بالأمور المادية فقط وعدم قدرته على التعاطي مع الأمور فوق المادية والأخلاقية التي هي من اختصاص الدين. تنتقل بعد ذلك للخلقوية وتشرح أنواعها المختلفة وتطرح قضية تأويل النصوص الدينية. تتوزع الخلقوية في طيف من المعتقدات الدينية المختلفة، يبدأ هذا الطيف من الإيمان بسطحية الأرض في أقصى الطرف إلى الإيمان بالخلق عن طريق التطور في الطرف الآخر.
تستعرض الكاتبة تاريخ الجدل بين التطور والخلقوية مما قبل دارون حتى مطلع القرن العشرين، فتذكر أفكار أفلاطون وأرسطو والأفكار المسيحية ومن ثم أفكار مفكري وعلماء عصر التنوير وصولاً إلى دارون وردة الفعل الدينية على نظرية التطور، والتي لم تكن واحدة، بل انقسمت بين القبول والرفض وما بينهما. ينتقل تركيز الكاتبة بعد ذلك إلى الولايات المتحدة وظهور الحركة المعادية للتطور فيها والتي ارتبطت بالأصولية المسيحية والفهم الحرفي لنصوص الكتاب المقدس. تذكر الكاتبة تاريخ وأحداث «محاكمة سكوبس» في ولاية تينيسي التي حدثت في العام 1925 عندما حظرت هذه الولاية تدريس نظرية التطور. في النصف الأول من القرن العشرين حظرت معظم الولايات في أمريكا تدريس نظرية التطور أو على الأقل قللت من شأنها، ولكن بعد نجاح الاتحاد السوفييتي في ارسال قمر صناعي للفضاء أحس الأمريكيون بأهمية العلم، فقامت المؤسسة الوطنية للعلوم بنشر مناهج تشمل نظرية التطور وتبنتها معظم المدارس الأمريكية.
هنا بدأت جولة جديدة من الصراع، فبعد انتهاء مرحلة حظر تعليم التطور، خصوصاً مع حكم المحكمة الأمريكية العليا في 1968، أصبحت الاستراتيجية الجديدة للخلقويين هي طلب تعليم الخلق المباشر كنظرية مقابلة للتطور. ولأن تدريس الأفكار الدينية في المدارس العامة محظور وفقاً للدستور العلماني لأمريكا، فقد سعى هؤلاء لاظهار الفكرة بمظهر النظرية العلمية، فأسموها «علوم الخلق» في مرحلة أولى، ولما حكمت المحكمة العليا الأمريكية بأن هذه الفكرة دينية تم تغيير المصطلح إلى «التصميم الذكي» مع وجود المضمون ذاته تقريباً، ولذلك صدر حكم قضائي جديد ضد تدريس هذه الفكرة أيضاً. أما الاستراتيجية الحالية فهي محاولة إدخال مواد في الكتب العلمية تشكك في نظرية التطور تحت تسميات من قبيل «تحليل التطور بشكل نقدي» أو «الأدلة مع وضد التطور» أو «نقاط القوة والضعف» أو «التطور نظرية وليس حقيقة» وغيرها. تذهب الكاتبة بعد ذلك في شرح تحليلي لسبب رفض القضاء تدريس «التصميم الذكي» في المدارس الحكومية ولماذا اعتبرته إحدى المحاكم علماً زائفاً وتوقعاتها حول مستقبل الصراع القضائي حول هذا الموضوع.
وفي القسم الأخير تضع الكاتبة اقتباسات مطولة من كتب ومقالات لكل من طرفي الجدل حول مواضيع مختلفة متعلقة بالتطور كالقانون الثاني للديناميكا الحرارية، التأريخ الإشعاعي، المبدأ الأنثروبولوجي، الثغرات في السجل الأحفوري، الانفجار الكمبري، التطور الصغروي والكبروي، الانتقاء الطبيعي وغيرها من المواضيع التي ستكون بلا شك مثيرة للمهتمين بهذا الجدل. تختم الكاتبة بذكر عدد كبير من المصادر الخارجية حول كل من فصول الكتاب الأربعة عشر لمن أراد التوسع في البحث.
بشكل عام الكتاب سلس وسهل الفهم ويحتوي الكثير من الأمثلة التي تبسط الأفكار. وفّقت الكاتبة إلى حد كبير في ترتيب الفصول، خاصة من حيث وضع الفصل حول فلسفة العلم في البداية، حيث أن هذا ضروري لكل من يريد فهم النظريات العلمية بما فيها التطور. اقتباس الكاتبة من طرفي الجدل زاد في موضوعيتها، حيث أنها لا تفرض وجهة نظر معينة، بل تشرح الوقائع بشكل دقيق وتنقل وجهتي النظر ومن ثم تترك الحكم للقارئ. تلخيص موضوع بهذا الحجم ومن جوانب مختلفة في كتاب متوسط الحجم يجعل منه مقدمة رائعة لكل مهتم بهذا الجدل القديم المتجدد.
July 8, 2011
Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction 1st Edition by Eugenie C. Scott
"Evolution vs. Creationism" is the well researched book regarding the history of the "controversy" of evolution versus creationism. Eugenie C. Scott, a physical anthropologist and the executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) does a wonderful job a laying out the pertinent issues regarding the so-called controversy. This 298-page book is broken out in three major parts: Part I: Science, Evolution, Religion, and Creationism; Part II. A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy, and Part III. Selections from the Literature.
Positives:
1. An accessible book for the masses.
2. Really gets at the heart of the history of the "controversy".
3. I've read many books on evolution and honestly was hesitant to purchase book because I thought I already have a good grasp on the topic. I may have a good grasp on the topic but it never hurts to go back to the basics and this is where this book shines. It grounds you on the basics on how science and in particular how evolution works.
4. What creationism really is and how it threatens science teaching.
5. Is there a controversy among the scientists about evolution?
6. Ms. Scott does a great job of telling us what science is and how it works.
7. Some great quotes, "The scientists believes in proof without certainty, the bigot in certainty without proof".
8. Great education on the hierarchy of science: facts, hypotheses, laws and theories.
9. Like a true educator Ms. Scott takes pleasure in providing strong arguments for her positions.
10. What we can expect if evolution occurred.
11. Transitional forms.
12. Why evolution is such a robust scientific theory.
13. Interesting look at the scientific debates of evolution.
14. "Evo-devo" one of the most fascinating areas of evolution.
15. One key point, natural selection is not the same as evolution. Great explanations on what natural selection truly is.
16. Speciation...and the education continues.
17. Why science is the best method to find out about the natural world.
18. Myths from an anthropologist's perspective.
19. A thorough look at creationists and the different varieties.
20. Religious views and how they derive.
21. Why some Christians reject evolution.
22. A good look back at some famous court cases. The Establishment Clause put to the test.
23. The importance of Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) and the three "prongs" of Lemon.
24. The "evolution" of creationism.
25. The attacks on evolution and some of the arguments used and refuted.
26. The evolutionary tree.
27. Micro vs. macro evolution.
28. Wisdom, "A scientific theory must be tentative and always subject to revision or abandonment in light of facts that are inconsistent with, or falsify, the theory".
29. The battle over curricula and the clueless Senator Rick Santorum...
30. The importance of a science education based on the best scholarship.
31. Excellent references.
Negatives:
1. This is the 1st Edition so it is a little dated but don't let that get in a way of a good foundation.
2. The focus of this book is on the so-called controversy. There are better books about evolution. See my recommendations. Nonetheless this book makes a worthy contribution.
3. The format of the arguments for and against was a little confusing in the latter part of the book.
In summary, Ms. Scott presents both sides of the argument well. The focus of the book is on the history of the evolution/creationism debate and the educational implications. It truly is a pity that prominent ID backers refused permission to the use of their material. Ms. Scott however summarized their position well and provided references to their work for further research. Another fine contribution to those of us who love science and value evolution and its importance to science education.
Recommendations: “Your Inner Fish…” by Neil Shubin, “The Making of the Fittest” by Sean B. Carroll, “What Evolution Is” by Ernst Mayr, “Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution” by Nick Lane, “The Greatest Show on Earth” by the great Richard Dawkins and my favorite book for the masses, "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne.
"Evolution vs. Creationism" is the well researched book regarding the history of the "controversy" of evolution versus creationism. Eugenie C. Scott, a physical anthropologist and the executive director of the National Center for Science Education (NCSE) does a wonderful job a laying out the pertinent issues regarding the so-called controversy. This 298-page book is broken out in three major parts: Part I: Science, Evolution, Religion, and Creationism; Part II. A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy, and Part III. Selections from the Literature.
Positives:
1. An accessible book for the masses.
2. Really gets at the heart of the history of the "controversy".
3. I've read many books on evolution and honestly was hesitant to purchase book because I thought I already have a good grasp on the topic. I may have a good grasp on the topic but it never hurts to go back to the basics and this is where this book shines. It grounds you on the basics on how science and in particular how evolution works.
4. What creationism really is and how it threatens science teaching.
5. Is there a controversy among the scientists about evolution?
6. Ms. Scott does a great job of telling us what science is and how it works.
7. Some great quotes, "The scientists believes in proof without certainty, the bigot in certainty without proof".
8. Great education on the hierarchy of science: facts, hypotheses, laws and theories.
9. Like a true educator Ms. Scott takes pleasure in providing strong arguments for her positions.
10. What we can expect if evolution occurred.
11. Transitional forms.
12. Why evolution is such a robust scientific theory.
13. Interesting look at the scientific debates of evolution.
14. "Evo-devo" one of the most fascinating areas of evolution.
15. One key point, natural selection is not the same as evolution. Great explanations on what natural selection truly is.
16. Speciation...and the education continues.
17. Why science is the best method to find out about the natural world.
18. Myths from an anthropologist's perspective.
19. A thorough look at creationists and the different varieties.
20. Religious views and how they derive.
21. Why some Christians reject evolution.
22. A good look back at some famous court cases. The Establishment Clause put to the test.
23. The importance of Lemon v. Kurtzman (1971) and the three "prongs" of Lemon.
24. The "evolution" of creationism.
25. The attacks on evolution and some of the arguments used and refuted.
26. The evolutionary tree.
27. Micro vs. macro evolution.
28. Wisdom, "A scientific theory must be tentative and always subject to revision or abandonment in light of facts that are inconsistent with, or falsify, the theory".
29. The battle over curricula and the clueless Senator Rick Santorum...
30. The importance of a science education based on the best scholarship.
31. Excellent references.
Negatives:
1. This is the 1st Edition so it is a little dated but don't let that get in a way of a good foundation.
2. The focus of this book is on the so-called controversy. There are better books about evolution. See my recommendations. Nonetheless this book makes a worthy contribution.
3. The format of the arguments for and against was a little confusing in the latter part of the book.
In summary, Ms. Scott presents both sides of the argument well. The focus of the book is on the history of the evolution/creationism debate and the educational implications. It truly is a pity that prominent ID backers refused permission to the use of their material. Ms. Scott however summarized their position well and provided references to their work for further research. Another fine contribution to those of us who love science and value evolution and its importance to science education.
Recommendations: “Your Inner Fish…” by Neil Shubin, “The Making of the Fittest” by Sean B. Carroll, “What Evolution Is” by Ernst Mayr, “Life Ascending: The Ten Great Inventions of Evolution” by Nick Lane, “The Greatest Show on Earth” by the great Richard Dawkins and my favorite book for the masses, "Why Evolution Is True" by Jerry A. Coyne.
January 20, 2012
An Excellent Introduction Explaining Why Evolution Is Science & Creationism Isn't
Physical anthropologist Eugenie C. Scott has had the daunting, indeed Herculean, task of defending the teaching of genuine science - by this I mean of course primarily evolutionary biology - in science classrooms throughout the United States as executive director of the National Center for Science Education. Hers has truly been the battle of "David" versus "Goliath", or rather, an asymmetrical conflict between advocates of excellent American scientific educationg against creationist advocates benefitting from their association with affluent anti-evolutionist Conservative think tanks like the Discovery Institue, the intellectual headquarters of the "Intelligent Design" movement. If a Purple Heart could be bestowed upon her for valor, then she would have earned one hundreds of times, for successfully assisting and coordinating efforts to defeat by legal means, numerous attempts to introduce Intelligent Design and other forms of scientific creationism into science classrooms. Here in "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction", she provides an invaluable introduction to the Evolution/Creation controversy (Of which I do include Intelligent Design since it is creationism's latest, most intellectually sophisticated, variety, having "evolved" from other, older forms of creationism.). And yet she has done a fine job trying to be fair in her presentation of the Creationist "world-view", by serving as a moderator at an Intelligent Design debate held a few years ago at the American Museum of Natural History (The pro-side was argued by leading Intelligent Design advocates William Dembski and Michael Behe; the con by philosopher Robert Pennock and cell biologist Ken Miller.). Once more she succeeds in this book by offering a more nuanced, balanced perspective in her discussion of Creationism, even as she makes a most eloquent case in support of genuine science, and especially, of evolutionary biology (Inspite of being "black-listed" by Creationist writers unwilling to grant her permission to quote directly from their published works, acting more like press censors working for Totalitarian regimes than "sincere" advocates seeking "balance" in science classrooms for their irrational, unscientific views to be discussed along with genuine science, she still tried to demonstrate their perspective by referring to their works.).
Eugenie Scott's "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction" is an excellent introduction to this burning issue which should be read by anyone interested in ensuring quality science education in America. In her opening section on evolution and the nature of science, Scott is quite emphatic as to what science is - and what it isn't. She stresses not only its inherently rational character, but also the key feature which distinguishes it from a religiously-motivated pseudoscience such as Intelligent Design; that it is an objective search for an inconstant, ever shifting "truth", whose very nature undergoes self-assessment and correction. She does an admirable job describing the scientific method, and reviewing the overwhelming scientific evidence for the reality of biological evolution. The second section explores the intellectual and philosophical history of the search for an adequate explanation explaining biological diversity, beginning with ancient Greek philosophers and concluding with early reaction to the publication of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" from Christians in 19th Century Europe and America. The third section is her thorough, yet terse, exploration of 20th Century Creationism in the United States and of the many legal challenges mounted by creationists against the teaching of evolution (Those interested in more in-depth coverage may find more useful Robert Pennock's "Tower of Babel" for its extensive overview of all the different breeds of creationism, including Intelligent Design.). Originally published by a private Connecticut-based publisher, "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction" is available now from the University of California Press, which means that is now available to as wide a readership as possible. Without question, it is still one of the best - if not the best - introductions to both the nature of the scientific enterprise and the religiously-oriented origins of so-called "Scientific Creationism".
(Reposted from my 2007 Amazon review)
Physical anthropologist Eugenie C. Scott has had the daunting, indeed Herculean, task of defending the teaching of genuine science - by this I mean of course primarily evolutionary biology - in science classrooms throughout the United States as executive director of the National Center for Science Education. Hers has truly been the battle of "David" versus "Goliath", or rather, an asymmetrical conflict between advocates of excellent American scientific educationg against creationist advocates benefitting from their association with affluent anti-evolutionist Conservative think tanks like the Discovery Institue, the intellectual headquarters of the "Intelligent Design" movement. If a Purple Heart could be bestowed upon her for valor, then she would have earned one hundreds of times, for successfully assisting and coordinating efforts to defeat by legal means, numerous attempts to introduce Intelligent Design and other forms of scientific creationism into science classrooms. Here in "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction", she provides an invaluable introduction to the Evolution/Creation controversy (Of which I do include Intelligent Design since it is creationism's latest, most intellectually sophisticated, variety, having "evolved" from other, older forms of creationism.). And yet she has done a fine job trying to be fair in her presentation of the Creationist "world-view", by serving as a moderator at an Intelligent Design debate held a few years ago at the American Museum of Natural History (The pro-side was argued by leading Intelligent Design advocates William Dembski and Michael Behe; the con by philosopher Robert Pennock and cell biologist Ken Miller.). Once more she succeeds in this book by offering a more nuanced, balanced perspective in her discussion of Creationism, even as she makes a most eloquent case in support of genuine science, and especially, of evolutionary biology (Inspite of being "black-listed" by Creationist writers unwilling to grant her permission to quote directly from their published works, acting more like press censors working for Totalitarian regimes than "sincere" advocates seeking "balance" in science classrooms for their irrational, unscientific views to be discussed along with genuine science, she still tried to demonstrate their perspective by referring to their works.).
Eugenie Scott's "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction" is an excellent introduction to this burning issue which should be read by anyone interested in ensuring quality science education in America. In her opening section on evolution and the nature of science, Scott is quite emphatic as to what science is - and what it isn't. She stresses not only its inherently rational character, but also the key feature which distinguishes it from a religiously-motivated pseudoscience such as Intelligent Design; that it is an objective search for an inconstant, ever shifting "truth", whose very nature undergoes self-assessment and correction. She does an admirable job describing the scientific method, and reviewing the overwhelming scientific evidence for the reality of biological evolution. The second section explores the intellectual and philosophical history of the search for an adequate explanation explaining biological diversity, beginning with ancient Greek philosophers and concluding with early reaction to the publication of Charles Darwin's "On the Origin of Species" from Christians in 19th Century Europe and America. The third section is her thorough, yet terse, exploration of 20th Century Creationism in the United States and of the many legal challenges mounted by creationists against the teaching of evolution (Those interested in more in-depth coverage may find more useful Robert Pennock's "Tower of Babel" for its extensive overview of all the different breeds of creationism, including Intelligent Design.). Originally published by a private Connecticut-based publisher, "Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction" is available now from the University of California Press, which means that is now available to as wide a readership as possible. Without question, it is still one of the best - if not the best - introductions to both the nature of the scientific enterprise and the religiously-oriented origins of so-called "Scientific Creationism".
(Reposted from my 2007 Amazon review)
June 18, 2015
This is an excellent primer for the lay person not well-versed in the evolution vs. creation controversy. Scott argues from the side of science, using a balanced approach drawing from eminent scientific minds and members of the renascent creationism and intelligent design movements. Scott reveals the neocreationist tendencies toward clever and diversionary circumlocutions and inaccurate explanations of scientific thought that ultimately strengthen their "science" of "why." While evolutionists, eschewing absolutism, always open to the idea of revision based on empirical observation, try to answer "how" with demonstrable, methodological science. Most readers will go into this with some pre-anchored stance concerning the two movements (or an implicit bias at the least), but by the book's end it is difficult to suggest honestly that claims by neocreationists are not at variance with science. Rather, Scott demonstrates it is an inverted form of science that starts with its conclusion and works backwards. To say the least, that is categorically not how science works. Still, Scott has no grievances with theistic evolution. As any good scientist knows, the question of God is not answerable by scientific means and the question itself is not necessary to its existence or advancement; it inevitably leads to spiritually-fueled supposition or naturalistic denial a la hacks like Dawkins. To those wishing to not be bound by the dogmatic pablum of philosophical naturalists like Dawkins, or the intelligent design and neocreationist pseudo-scientists his opposite, this book is made just for you.
March 28, 2012
see review by Jorge
I would only add that this is second edition, quite a coup to get judge jones to do the forward !
Good book, sometimes felt a bit disjointed jumping from various opinions of pro and con writers, the first person stuff from a pro creation and then a pro evolution source sometimes felt blurry, still makes one think, in a way, even better :)
I would only add that this is second edition, quite a coup to get judge jones to do the forward !
Good book, sometimes felt a bit disjointed jumping from various opinions of pro and con writers, the first person stuff from a pro creation and then a pro evolution source sometimes felt blurry, still makes one think, in a way, even better :)
December 9, 2018
It's said that humans have the 2nd order capacity to be conscientious about themselves. While feeling confused they know they're confused. We have desires about our desires, biases about our biases. I think we read in a 2nd order way too, not only following an author's line of thought but also detecting the agenda driving their thoughts. That agenda is only too clear when Eugenie Scott ranks creationists one step away from geocentrists, two steps from flat earthers, and frequently notes how creationists are behind the curve in terms of scientific advances. On the other hand, she writes well and is well-informed as to developments in education, including a thorough history of court cases and legal defeats that creationists have suffered-useful information regardless of one's position.
March 9, 2012
I didn't read the whole thing, but I read most of it, and got the idea.
There's a lot of evidence for evolution. And when I say "lots of evidence," I mean, scientists have as much confidence that the theory of evolution is true as they do gravity, thermodynamics, etc.
As a religious human, I have sought to accommodate the two things together, and I realized, after a lot of thought, that it really isn't that big of a deal for me to think that evolution was the process by which God created everything. Even before I started studying evolution, I never had any problem believing that God doesn't necessarily intervene in EVERY single natural event, but more that things work by natural laws, and he simply set things in motion to begin with.
Any atheistic evolutionist would laugh and mock at that (as they enjoy doing), but oh well. That's the conclusion I've come to. If God didn't want to make His children become like him by just snapping his finger, then I suppose that the process of creation didn't just happen with the snap of a finger either. There are still some beliefs (the Fall, for example) that I haven't reconciled with evolution yet, but in due time, I suppose it will be known.
There's a lot of evidence for evolution. And when I say "lots of evidence," I mean, scientists have as much confidence that the theory of evolution is true as they do gravity, thermodynamics, etc.
As a religious human, I have sought to accommodate the two things together, and I realized, after a lot of thought, that it really isn't that big of a deal for me to think that evolution was the process by which God created everything. Even before I started studying evolution, I never had any problem believing that God doesn't necessarily intervene in EVERY single natural event, but more that things work by natural laws, and he simply set things in motion to begin with.
Any atheistic evolutionist would laugh and mock at that (as they enjoy doing), but oh well. That's the conclusion I've come to. If God didn't want to make His children become like him by just snapping his finger, then I suppose that the process of creation didn't just happen with the snap of a finger either. There are still some beliefs (the Fall, for example) that I haven't reconciled with evolution yet, but in due time, I suppose it will be known.
January 24, 2011
In this book, Eugenie Scott, the head of the National Center for Science Education, presents an updated version of her work on both the scientific and theological difficulties of creationism and intelligent design. She gives a detailed historical background for the issue, showing how creationism has "evolved" (to use an ironically appropriate term) through the years. She includes details on several key court cases involving creationism and intelligent design.
One of the more pleasantly surprising aspects of this book is the exceedingly even-handed way in which she treats religion in general and creationism in particular. In Part III, where she presents a very well-balanced set of excerpts for and against many of the competing lines of thought.
In general, this is a very objective and well-written work. Anyone who is interested in this subject material (whether for or against creationism) should read this book.
One of the more pleasantly surprising aspects of this book is the exceedingly even-handed way in which she treats religion in general and creationism in particular. In Part III, where she presents a very well-balanced set of excerpts for and against many of the competing lines of thought.
In general, this is a very objective and well-written work. Anyone who is interested in this subject material (whether for or against creationism) should read this book.
April 8, 2013
An outstanding book on the subject, that covers primarily the history over the social and legal debate of teaching evolution vs creationism in public education. Starts with the basics of the debate itself and then covers the history of the tactics of creationists; first trying to get evolution banned from the classroom, then to the more modern attempts to "teach the controversy" by getting modified forms of creationism such as intelligent design taught alongside evolution by claiming they are legitimate scientific theories. This book also puts that claim firmly but gently to rest.
May 30, 2012
Eugenie Scott provides an excellent resource for those trying to understand the debate over Evolution versus Creationism as it pertains to legislation, education, religion, and science. Her respectful approach and thorough understanding of the science covers the bases. I also liked her rephrasing of Survival of the Fittest to "Survival of the Fit Enough."
Read
October 2, 2007I'm actually reading it for fun and not b/c I'm studying anthropology! I swear!
June 25, 2010
very informative book...but I would not recommend it for anyone who hasn't taken at least one college course in evolution or vertebrate zoology
February 15, 2020
I haven't read it yet, but I will, no doubt about it. I look forward to discussion of it.
I was personally convinced that God Himself was real when a voice told me, "God's going to prove to you that He exists now." Then it said, after I had almost felt myself carried bodily down the hallway, I was walking the halls for the 700th time that day, headed toward the nurses' station. "Humanity has been here for 5,000 years. In the last hundred years, you've gone from horse and carriages to electric cars and going into space. You've built the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center and the Sears Tower and the new World Trade Center. You've gone from the first, extremely primitive phones to cell phones, wireless, blue tooth, and other forms of transmission. You have electricity, gas, renewables. AI is a reality. So let's figure this out. I've been here from the beginning of Time Itself, who is my Own Father, Chronos. So let's put that to bed. We evolved hundreds of trillions of thousands of millions of years ago, each second lasting more than 50 billion years. So, if we evolved during that whole time, and learned, and put the lessons together, how powerful would we be?"
And that settled the case for me.
—Eric Coates
Feb 15, 2020.
Two days til my birthday!
I was personally convinced that God Himself was real when a voice told me, "God's going to prove to you that He exists now." Then it said, after I had almost felt myself carried bodily down the hallway, I was walking the halls for the 700th time that day, headed toward the nurses' station. "Humanity has been here for 5,000 years. In the last hundred years, you've gone from horse and carriages to electric cars and going into space. You've built the Empire State Building and the Rockefeller Center and the Sears Tower and the new World Trade Center. You've gone from the first, extremely primitive phones to cell phones, wireless, blue tooth, and other forms of transmission. You have electricity, gas, renewables. AI is a reality. So let's figure this out. I've been here from the beginning of Time Itself, who is my Own Father, Chronos. So let's put that to bed. We evolved hundreds of trillions of thousands of millions of years ago, each second lasting more than 50 billion years. So, if we evolved during that whole time, and learned, and put the lessons together, how powerful would we be?"
And that settled the case for me.
—Eric Coates
Feb 15, 2020.
Two days til my birthday!
October 24, 2022
Very well written for what it is — an introduction. Easy to read and quite engaging for such technical writing. I'm curious about YEC beliefs on early hominids (especially Neanderthals) and extinction events, especially recent ones, like the dodo. One of the more successful textbooks that I've read as I'm more interested in the subject and actually reviewed the 'for further reading' section!
March 9, 2024
For me this is a reference of great value not only about evolution and creationism but also about the characterization of science and religion and the relationship between them. The focus of course is on the United States, the hotbed of creationist discourse in modern times. A perfect and insightful introduction to the topic for sure.
April 24, 2022
interesting and informative
A substantial compendium of information…
Okay, a bit jargon full. Reads a bit like a textbook but there are answers to questions I didn’t even know existed yet.
A substantial compendium of information…
Okay, a bit jargon full. Reads a bit like a textbook but there are answers to questions I didn’t even know existed yet.
October 20, 2017
A very well-balanced and fair approach to the differences between these two world-views.
May 13, 2022
Written by pure emotion. Not a scientific bone in her body.
July 26, 2019
I just finished it for the same week and i really enjoyed it. I loved how at first the story lines didn't seem to have anything to do with each other but slowly details were revealed to show how they are all connected.
April 30, 2015
Though this book is built similarly to a textbook, its purpose seems to be more to inform the individual student than to serve as the primary source for a class. I think that’s a fine direction for a book like this to take; growing up as I did in a state where the battle over whether to include creationism and its successors in the curriculum, or whether to allow students to opt out of evolution education, rages every year, such a book would have proven an welcome antidote to the nature of public discussion of the issue. The first two sections of this book discuss the reality of the science of evolution and the history of how creationism developed and then tried to foist itself upon the public, with astonishing, horrifying, success in the Untied States. The last section presents readings from both the creationist and scientific literature, as well as meta-commentary on the conflict in the form of legal opinions, public opinion polls, and more. Everything is well put together and informative here, and written to be at least accessible to high school students, though they will want to keep wikipedia handy from some of the more technical ideas. Often I’ll end a review by saying who should read this type of book; for this one, I’ll appeal to the parents of whom I think this book is best for. If you have a child who you want to believe in evolution, but yet is exposed to arguments similar to creationism (including biblical literalism or the applicability of the Bible to daily life) either by a church, a friend group, or relatives, you owe it to them to get them a book substantively similar to this. Education should be sufficiently provided by the schools, but while we have a school system plagued by interfering priests and parents, and by teachers who are insufficiently trained in the material, each parent has an individual responsibility to ensure that their child is inoculated against harmful material, no matter how bright that child is. The arguments put forward by creationism proponents can seem scary and convincing, and a strong defense of science’s truth is essential.
September 6, 2008
I read this as a follow up to an intelligent design book, so it was more for me to learn about evolution than creationism. I like to have a broad grasp of both sides of every debate, especially so when I argue with someone, I at least know what I am talking about. This book was very informative on both sides of the creation/evolution debate. I have a better understanding of the principles of evolution and am able to see how survival of the fittest leads to evolution. However, some of the evolution theories on the beginnings of life, or how the eye came to be are much more difficult to believe than the arguements for intelligent design. Once again, don't take it from me, read it and decide for yourself. This book does fairly well at portraying both sides of the debate. I say fairly because I felt that it was leaning a little bit towards the evolution side. Could just be me, so let me know what you think....
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in researching both sides of the arguement with an open mind, and would like to gain knowledge and insight into both sides of the debate.
I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in researching both sides of the arguement with an open mind, and would like to gain knowledge and insight into both sides of the debate.
October 8, 2014
The coverage in this book was impressive. Scott is a good writer and about as inclusive as anyone could expect. There is especially good coverage of the history of the creationism and ID movement as an organized challenge to the teaching of evolution as science. It astounds me that there are people who have been trained as scientists who still cling to creationism and ID. I just don't understand that level of suspension of intelligence. It is more understandable why politicians take stands against evolution -- some of those bastards would deny their own children to get and stay elected.
November 10, 2009
A good summary of the evolution v creationism struggle. The only annoying thing is NCSE's 'noma' strategy, the sort of 'accomodationism' of religion which has been critiqued effectively elsewhere by the likes of Jerry Coyne.
October 24, 2008
A really excellent book on the subject. Reveals information and thought on both sides of the debate, though clearly the primary thinking of the author is on the scientific side.
September 2, 2012
An excellent comprehensive resource for those interested in the Evolution/Creationism pseudo-debate.
February 26, 2023
Wasn’t terrible but not a book I would read if it wasn’t for a class.
September 25, 2009
Dense & packed full of great information. This is one smart woman.
January 27, 2010
Le livre s'apparente à un manuel; il est réalisé par la directrice du NSCE
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