Evolution Versus Intelligent Design: Why All the Fuss? the Arguments for Both Sides

by Peter Cook, Elmo White

Should Intelligent Design be taught as science? The current debate about teaching evolution and/or intelligent design is of great interest to many people, not least the parents of school-age children. Until now almost material on the subject has been written by someone (or some institution) trying to convince you of their point of view. They set out arguments that favour their view and present their opponents’ arguments as foolish. This is not the aim of this book. This book presents the arguments for both points of view, without taking sides. The author Peter Cook, who a BA in Religious Studies and a PhD in Philosophy, explains both theories in detail and presents related arguments side by side for easy comparison.

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Reviews

[S'hi · Rating 1 out of 5]

apart from the obvious typos and poor editing, EvID is not the unbiased portrayal of a debate that it purports to be. Its defensiveness of science proves the lack of science training in the writer. Its portrayal of Intelligent Design fails to define what a Law of Nature is, and therefore how ID differs from it.
My feeling would be that the mere existence of any Law begs the question of ID. I would find it more interesting to integrate the two into a more comprehensive understanding of how we choose against rationality and continue to exist despite such choices. Guess I'll have to write that book myself!
The arguments around irrelevant scientific enquiry and purposeful study of 'junk DNA' remind me of my (ex-)husband's attempts to throw out my collection of artistic materials from which I could randomly create new and challenging juxtapositions. what purpose? the fun of it. His purpose -sterility?
Do I get too personal in my response? I was actually looking forward to something pretty meaty, especially in the year of the 200th anniversary of Charles Darwin's birth. Guess I'll just go to more lectures.

[Tammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a scientist myself, I can appreciate the objective nature of this book and its preservation in presenting both sides. However, I found some of the arguments for both ID and evolution extremely circular and perhaps a bit too contrite. The book's mission to begin a critical dialogue for and against each side did just that and helped to stir more curiosity on this subject matter. Although my actual position on this debate still remains unchanged, this insight has strengthened my stance and further piques my curiosity beyond just finding a clear cut answer. I very much enjoyed this book but if the reader is looking for in depth explanations/material, this book itself would be insufficient and should be taken as a "beginners guide to the age old argument."