The Creation-Evolution Debate: Historical Perspectives

George H. Shriver Lecture Series in Religion in American History

by Edward J. Larson, Mitchell G. Reddish

Few issues besides evolution have so strained Americans' professed tradition of tolerance. Few historians besides Pulitzer Prize winner Edward J. Larson have so perceptively chronicled evolution's divisive presence on the American scene. This slim volume reviews the key aspects, current and historical, of the creation-evolution debate in the United States.
Larson discusses such topics as the transatlantic response to Darwinism, the American controversy over teaching evolution in public schools, and the religious views of American scientists. He recalls the theological qualms about evolution held by some leading scientists of Darwin's time. He looks at the 2006 Dover, Pennsylvania, court decision on teaching Intelligent Design and other cases leading back to the landmark 1925 Scopes trial. Drawing on surveys that Larson conducted, he discusses attitudes of American scientists toward the existence of God and the afterlife.
By looking at the changing motivations and backgrounds of the stakeholders in the creation-evolution debate--clergy, scientists, lawmakers, educators, and others--Larson promotes a more nuanced view of the question than most of us have. This is no incidental benefit for Larson's readers; it is one of the book's driving purposes. If we cede the debate to those who would frame it simplistically rather than embrace its complexity, warns Larson, we will not advance beyond the naive regard of organized religion as the enemy of intellectual freedom or the equally myopic myth of the scientist as courageous loner willing to die for the truth.

Genres: History, Science, Evolution, Religion, Nonfiction

66 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Edward J. Larson is the author of many acclaimed works in American history, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning history of the Scopes Trial, Summer for the Gods. He is University Professor of History and Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law at Pepperdine University, and lives with his family near Los Angeles.

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars
Very little is viewed in-depth, but this is a handy reference point for both sides of the argument. Larson himself clearly leans toward the evolution side but attempts to be fair to all sides, although he does look down his nose a bit on Fundamentalists and seems to view them as troublemakers. It lists publication dates, court cases and dates and reactions, and ends with a conclusion that the scientists are more divided from the lay people than ever before in history.

[Sarah Lada · Rating 2 out of 5]

I understand that this is a thin volume, but I was expecting more elaboration regarding the controversial beliefs and what they stood for. Someone who isn't familiar with "creationism" or "intelligent design" may have difficulty understanding what each advocate represented. I feel that this book is more of a telling rather than an explaining. As slim as the book is, a person who doesn't have much understanding would pick this book up (this is an assumption) in hopes of learning ABOUT each theory/belief. Instead, it's "this person was against this person at this date/place".

[Joel Everett · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating set of three lectures given on the history of the debate between Creationism and Evolution; the author is profoundly biased towards the proponents of Evolution, but this is still an informative set of lectures, and a good springboard to some lesser known figures to those living in the 21st century and some of the important legal cases - also lesser known today - that have important bearing. Recommended as a good introduction to the events post-Darwin's 1859 epoch defining book.

[Conor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Readable, short introduction to the history of the legal struggles over evolution teaching the US. Readable in a single sitting as it's very short.