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Darwin Retried: an Appeal to Reason
Fair, detailed, carefully reasoned critique of Darwinian theory.
180 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 1971
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
August 18, 2024
A HARVARD-TRAINED LAWYER CRITIQUES "CLASSICAL DARWINISM”
No, Philip Johnson [e.g., his 'Darwin on Trial'] wasn't the first lawyer to critique Darwinism. Harvard-trained lawyer Norman Macbeth wrote in the first chapter of this 1971 book, "[In 1967] I wrote a short article contending that classical Darwinism was dead... My thesis was simply that the professionals had moved away from classical Darwinism, but that no one had informed the public of what had happened... I still think that the news is correct and important, and that it should be made common knowledge. The purpose of this book is to make the news available to the public." (Pg. 4-5)
He states, "The heart of the problem is whether living things do indeed vary to an unlimited extent or... whether micro changes cumulate into macro effects. The instinctive feeling of untutored men is against this. The species look stable. We have all heard of disappointed breeders who carried their work to a certain point only to see the animals or plants revert to where they had started. Despite strenuous efforts for two or three centuries, it has never been possible to produce a black rose or a black tulip." (Pg. 32-33)
He observes, "The Darwinians contend that any given result must have been produced by natural selection working on small changes, but when asked to be exact they are helpless. Thus [Theodosius] Dobzhansky cannot explain why the more than six hundred known species of Drosophila all have three orbital bristles on either side of their heads." (Pg. 44)
He argues, "Even if there is such a process as sexual selection... and even if it produces the structures and behaviors in question... what it has really brought forth is a monumental challenge to natural selection... In the peacock and the Argus pheasant ... we have conspicuous and appetizing animals that cannot run, fly, fight, or hide... By all reasonable standards ... natural selection should never have allowed such animals to come into existence. But they have not only come into existence, they have stayed there and have not become extinct." (Pg. 84-85)
He contends, "Take note of the phrase ceaseless flux. It is the quintessence of Darwinism... but is it correct? Certainly it is not true for the numerous animals and plants that have not changed in any significant way since they first appeared five hundred million years ago... They are a standing challenge to the hypothesis of ceaseless flux and have defied the explanatory efforts of many famous biologists." (Pg. 139-140)
Although Macbeth is often quoted by creationists, he is anti-Darwinian, rather than anti-Evolution. But his arguments are still worth considering, even though this book is more than forty years old.
No, Philip Johnson [e.g., his 'Darwin on Trial'] wasn't the first lawyer to critique Darwinism. Harvard-trained lawyer Norman Macbeth wrote in the first chapter of this 1971 book, "[In 1967] I wrote a short article contending that classical Darwinism was dead... My thesis was simply that the professionals had moved away from classical Darwinism, but that no one had informed the public of what had happened... I still think that the news is correct and important, and that it should be made common knowledge. The purpose of this book is to make the news available to the public." (Pg. 4-5)
He states, "The heart of the problem is whether living things do indeed vary to an unlimited extent or... whether micro changes cumulate into macro effects. The instinctive feeling of untutored men is against this. The species look stable. We have all heard of disappointed breeders who carried their work to a certain point only to see the animals or plants revert to where they had started. Despite strenuous efforts for two or three centuries, it has never been possible to produce a black rose or a black tulip." (Pg. 32-33)
He observes, "The Darwinians contend that any given result must have been produced by natural selection working on small changes, but when asked to be exact they are helpless. Thus [Theodosius] Dobzhansky cannot explain why the more than six hundred known species of Drosophila all have three orbital bristles on either side of their heads." (Pg. 44)
He argues, "Even if there is such a process as sexual selection... and even if it produces the structures and behaviors in question... what it has really brought forth is a monumental challenge to natural selection... In the peacock and the Argus pheasant ... we have conspicuous and appetizing animals that cannot run, fly, fight, or hide... By all reasonable standards ... natural selection should never have allowed such animals to come into existence. But they have not only come into existence, they have stayed there and have not become extinct." (Pg. 84-85)
He contends, "Take note of the phrase ceaseless flux. It is the quintessence of Darwinism... but is it correct? Certainly it is not true for the numerous animals and plants that have not changed in any significant way since they first appeared five hundred million years ago... They are a standing challenge to the hypothesis of ceaseless flux and have defied the explanatory efforts of many famous biologists." (Pg. 139-140)
Although Macbeth is often quoted by creationists, he is anti-Darwinian, rather than anti-Evolution. But his arguments are still worth considering, even though this book is more than forty years old.
May 19, 2022
Full review to come.
Excellent critique that has aged very well.
Excellent critique that has aged very well.
October 25, 2013
An excellent contribution to the evolving discourse concerning biological specialization and diversity Norman Macbeth's book lends support to the general skeptic as well as the religiously inclined. The skeptic especially may value this work, as it is not without evaluation and refutation of all sides including the religious, darwinian, synthetic, non-darwinian evolutionist, and etc.
Although at times the book contains very unsympathetic, almost scathing commentary, and at other times plays at doing away with evolution as a whole, it nonetheless is skillfully and clearly written. Macbeth also does good work of concealing the point of view that he takes, while simultaneously undermining or contradicting many commonly purchased intellectual tokens, such as "survival of the fittest" or the concept of natural selection. Although I would not endorse many of his arguments, it would be untrue to say that I have not been swayed by them.
Although at times the book contains very unsympathetic, almost scathing commentary, and at other times plays at doing away with evolution as a whole, it nonetheless is skillfully and clearly written. Macbeth also does good work of concealing the point of view that he takes, while simultaneously undermining or contradicting many commonly purchased intellectual tokens, such as "survival of the fittest" or the concept of natural selection. Although I would not endorse many of his arguments, it would be untrue to say that I have not been swayed by them.
October 16, 2024
An older book which in parts has been left behind by developments since 1971, i.e., Plate Tectonics and Genetic Engineering. However it is still well worth reading as Norman Macbeth had a very logical mind and an ability to cut the heart of the matter.
It is a read which will help the reader to think better a worthwhile object in and of itself.
Taking Leave of Darwinism by Neil Thomas would be good choice for an up to date book.
It is a read which will help the reader to think better a worthwhile object in and of itself.
Taking Leave of Darwinism by Neil Thomas would be good choice for an up to date book.
August 22, 2014
Excellent book, a bit dated but compelling contrarian evaluation of Darwinism using the writings of its most able proponents. Illustrates (perhaps unwittingly) the critical role of presuppositions in developing and defending any world view.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews