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This is a rigorous scrutiny of the creed of Darwinism by a Berkeley law professor.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This is a well structured and coherent text in which the eminent law professor clearly lays out his arguments. The premise is that a non-biologist may offer a convincing riposte to the vast body of evidence built up in favour of evolution. However, the book is far too short to offer any kind of convincing argument, and while the author has done a good job of choosing relevant information to make himself appear knowledgable, the case he presents is at worst disingenuous, as he neglects to paint the whole picture of the supporting evidence from the entire subject of biology, as set out in, for example, Dawkins' book "The Greatest Show on Earth".
My big problem is, what makes a law professor think that he can offer convincing arguments against one of the most established scientific theories of our time? I suspect that he would not be so bold as to present arguments against inflationary theory in cosmology (far less evidence) or the heliocentric model of the solar system (about as equally convincing as evolution). No, the only reason that any non-specialist would feel so confident in writing about such a subject is that it is evolution - and the man clearly lays out early on, lest he be accused of bias, that he is a christian. Although not said explicitly, the idea that God could possibly interfere to guide or accelerate the evolutionary process clearly appeals to him, as he fails to provide a suitable alternative explanation, other than supernatural, for the processes which he feels are not explained adequately by the modern synthesis. The sad thing is, the man will be preaching to the converted to many people whose religious beliefs guide them away from accepting the truth of evolutionary fact and it's excellent explanatory power.
The claim that Johnson is, as a professor of law, highly qualified to pronounce on the truth or otherwise of scientific theories surprises me further when the level or proof that would seem to satisfy the author is far greater than that required in a court of law to convict a murderer or rapist. the book argues that because there are gaps in the fossil record and because we have never seen speciation happen right in front of our eyes (how would this be possible anyway?!), this somehow undermines the entire edifice and network of supporting evidence. Yet such is the level of determined disbelief that the actual requirement of 'proof' is absurdly high. He also states that the theory cannot be falsified - well perhaps in the strict Popperian sense, but most scientists regard that requirement as far too strict for the requirement of working scientists. Anyway, as Haldane said, the theory could easily be falsified by "rabbits in the Precambrian". It hasn't been.
Anyway, this book will only convince people who are already convinced. Do yourself a favour and read a book that sets out the beauty of the theory in relation to all of the subjects - biology, zoology, genetics, geology etc. that provide the level of supporting evidence that has led to the theory being accepted, in full not part, not only by scientists, but the pope, the Archbishop etc.
My big problem is, what makes a law professor think that he can offer convincing arguments against one of the most established scientific theories of our time? I suspect that he would not be so bold as to present arguments against inflationary theory in cosmology (far less evidence) or the heliocentric model of the solar system (about as equally convincing as evolution). No, the only reason that any non-specialist would feel so confident in writing about such a subject is that it is evolution - and the man clearly lays out early on, lest he be accused of bias, that he is a christian. Although not said explicitly, the idea that God could possibly interfere to guide or accelerate the evolutionary process clearly appeals to him, as he fails to provide a suitable alternative explanation, other than supernatural, for the processes which he feels are not explained adequately by the modern synthesis. The sad thing is, the man will be preaching to the converted to many people whose religious beliefs guide them away from accepting the truth of evolutionary fact and it's excellent explanatory power.
The claim that Johnson is, as a professor of law, highly qualified to pronounce on the truth or otherwise of scientific theories surprises me further when the level or proof that would seem to satisfy the author is far greater than that required in a court of law to convict a murderer or rapist. the book argues that because there are gaps in the fossil record and because we have never seen speciation happen right in front of our eyes (how would this be possible anyway?!), this somehow undermines the entire edifice and network of supporting evidence. Yet such is the level of determined disbelief that the actual requirement of 'proof' is absurdly high. He also states that the theory cannot be falsified - well perhaps in the strict Popperian sense, but most scientists regard that requirement as far too strict for the requirement of working scientists. Anyway, as Haldane said, the theory could easily be falsified by "rabbits in the Precambrian". It hasn't been.
Anyway, this book will only convince people who are already convinced. Do yourself a favour and read a book that sets out the beauty of the theory in relation to all of the subjects - biology, zoology, genetics, geology etc. that provide the level of supporting evidence that has led to the theory being accepted, in full not part, not only by scientists, but the pope, the Archbishop etc.
45 of 55 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
A respected law professor turned theologian, Johnson presents a fascinating and logical examination of Darwinism and more current forms of evolutionary theory. Johnson's book is refreshingly free from blanket statements about his subject. He seeks to open the debate on evolution, acknowledging the contributions of the scientific community at large whilst recognising the limited 'proof' that the available evidence provides.
For anyone interested in a subversive but balanced view of Darwinist evolutionary theory as ideology, or anyone clinging to the hope that their purpose in life is more than producing reproductive offspring, this is compelling reading. It ought to be compelling and challenging reading for Stephen Jay Gould and Richard Dawkins fans too - if they are brave enough to read it. Johnson has become Gould and Dawkins' nominated nemesis - due, in no small part to the strength and profound logic of his arguments. Definitely worthy of your further investigation.
14 of 20 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
Very interesting indeed. When reading it, I was not entirely sure of the details of Johnson's views, I think it's correct to say he writes as something of a theistic evolutionist, which is to say he does not necessarily dispute that the variety of life on earth came into existence through evolutionary lines, but would dispute that it can have been a purely naturalistic process, and would argue that God caused it and perhaps intervened in the process. Certainly Johnson does not here advocate the standard Biblical Creationist framework as such, indeed, sad to say, he effectively rejects much Biblical teaching, i.e. about the age of the earth, the creation week, and the inscrutability of creation by divine omnipotence, instead choosing to define Creationism more broadly as the belief that the world has been designed and exists for a purpose. But his objective in this book is not to present alternative views to Darwinism, but to critique the way it is defended by Naturalistic philosophical assumptions rather than by empirical data, and to question whether Naturalism per se really provides a valid definiton of science. And these objectives Johnson achieves admirably, offering a devastating critique of Evolutionists' naturaliistic philosophical presuppositions in interpreting data, and showing how Evolutionists skew debate by demanding science be defined as seeking naturalistic explanation rather than as executing empirical research per se.
Although the book does not argue from a Biblical viewpoint, and even though I already knew Darwinism to be twaddle, I still found the book very interesting and helpful. There's a lot of useful information and telling detail in here, and Johnson's points are developed proficiently, solidly and eloquently, and I found it helpful in clarifying some points about Evolutionist smokescreening.
This 1993 edition is worth getting instead of the earlier 1991 edition, because it is expanded somewhat, including a whole new chapter in which Johnson responded to critics of the first edition. Very interesting.
It's a great pity the book is not written from a Biblical viewpoint, but it is still very interesting and useful, and is definitely worth reading.
Although the book does not argue from a Biblical viewpoint, and even though I already knew Darwinism to be twaddle, I still found the book very interesting and helpful. There's a lot of useful information and telling detail in here, and Johnson's points are developed proficiently, solidly and eloquently, and I found it helpful in clarifying some points about Evolutionist smokescreening.
This 1993 edition is worth getting instead of the earlier 1991 edition, because it is expanded somewhat, including a whole new chapter in which Johnson responded to critics of the first edition. Very interesting.
It's a great pity the book is not written from a Biblical viewpoint, but it is still very interesting and useful, and is definitely worth reading.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Demolishing Darwin? Perhaps not entirely but......
I would agree with most of the reviewers that Philip Johnson makes a most readable and persuasive presentation of the case against Darwinism and his book should appeal to anyone -... Read more
Published 17 months ago by Ian A. White
Darwin on Trial
Very quick delivery and excellent service from Amazon and considering it was second hand, the book was in very good condition. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Carrieannie
excellent analysis on the philosophical bias of Darwinism
With this work, Professor Johnson provides an intelligent critique on the theory of evolution but, most importantly, explains how philosophically biased Darwinism has become, and... Read more
Published 20 months ago by a Christian family
A fantastic analysis of the evidence for Evolution
Before reading this book I was always curious as to what actually is the evidence for the theory of Evolution - all I had ever heard from devout Naturalists was that there was... Read more
Published on 26 Aug 2008 by Mr. S. A. Blake
Darwinist hot air ballon brought down
This book puts into words a lot of the feelings of implausibility that I often have when Darwinism is presented. Read more
Published on 8 Dec 2004 by alex
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