- Hardcover: 611 pages
- Publisher: HarperOne (1 July 2009)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0061472786
- ISBN-13: 978-0061472787
- Product Dimensions: 22.6 x 16.3 x 5.1 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
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- #9 in Books > Science & Nature > Biological Sciences > Genetics > DNA
- #46 in Books > Science & Nature > Popular Science > Genetics
- #71 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Science & Religion
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Review
"Signature in the Cell is a defining work in the discussion of life's origins . . . the powerful case Meyer presents cannot be ignored in any honest debate. . . [T]his book is an engaging, eye-opening, and often eye-popping read"--American Spectator
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
Product Description
"Signatures in the Cell" is the first major statement by a scientist to argue that intelligent design is as the best explanation for the origin of life on earth. In this thoughtful and challenging book, scientist Stephen Meyer summarises and critiques current evolutionary theories and goes on to show that the evidence itself makes a strong case for intelligent design. This book shows that the argument for intelligent design from DNA is not based on ignorance or a desire to give up on science, but instead upon just the opposite: our growing scientific knowledge of the inner workings of the cell and our knowledge of the cause-and-effect structure of the world. For this reason the argument for design can be formulated as a rigorous scientific argument. In fact, the argument for intelligent design from DNA is based on the same method of scientific reasoning that Darwin himself used.
--This text refers to the
Paperback
edition.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
In 1802 the Rev. William Paley, in his book, "Natural Theology", used the watchmaker argument as evidence for a designer (God).
"Suppose you are walking on a heath and you find a watch lying on the ground. You would immediately realise that this was the work of a craftsman and had been purposely designed".
He then went on to examine the complex structures in living things to argue that they must also have been designed. This is exactly the reasoning that Meyer uses in "Signature in the Cell". He looks at the complex inner workings of the cell to argue that it could not have arisen naturally.
As an explanation for the non-scientist or lay reader, of the amazing DNA/RNA/protein machine inside the cell it is a well-written and easily understandable treatise, although he does belabour the point a bit.
However, to really understand this book, you have to understand where Meyer is coming from. He is one of the directors of the "Discovery Institute", a right wing, political/religious think-tank, so his book cannot be considered as a work of science but rather as propaganda. As with all propaganda, it is a skilful blend of truth, half-truth and downright deceit.
His basic premise is that in order, to function and so be classed as "alive" the cell must have in place, a complex interdependent system of DNA, RNA, ribosomes and enzymes and that since all these parts are interdependent this could not have arisen by "chance". Of course, what he does not say is that no scientist working in this field is claiming that this is what happened.
While he denigrates the work of scientists working on "origin of life" scenarios, such as 2009 Nobel Prize winner, Jack Szostak, he does not at any time explain how the designer went about creating life. Instead he uses a form of abductive reasoning:
X is necessary to the occurrence of Y;
Y exists;
therefore X must have existed.
Applying this to the cell, Meyer argues that the only way the information in DNA (Y) could have come about, is if it had been designed by a conscious intelligence (X). He admits himself that this argument will break down if it can be shown that there is any other way that this information can get into DNA. If it can be shown that this "information" can be built up slowly, bit-by-bit, then ID is invalidated. This is exactly what origin of life researchers are in the process of doing.
In conclusion, read this book if you want to understand how the cell works but be suspicious of his central tenet, that the cell was designed by a conscious intelligence.
"Suppose you are walking on a heath and you find a watch lying on the ground. You would immediately realise that this was the work of a craftsman and had been purposely designed".
He then went on to examine the complex structures in living things to argue that they must also have been designed. This is exactly the reasoning that Meyer uses in "Signature in the Cell". He looks at the complex inner workings of the cell to argue that it could not have arisen naturally.
As an explanation for the non-scientist or lay reader, of the amazing DNA/RNA/protein machine inside the cell it is a well-written and easily understandable treatise, although he does belabour the point a bit.
However, to really understand this book, you have to understand where Meyer is coming from. He is one of the directors of the "Discovery Institute", a right wing, political/religious think-tank, so his book cannot be considered as a work of science but rather as propaganda. As with all propaganda, it is a skilful blend of truth, half-truth and downright deceit.
His basic premise is that in order, to function and so be classed as "alive" the cell must have in place, a complex interdependent system of DNA, RNA, ribosomes and enzymes and that since all these parts are interdependent this could not have arisen by "chance". Of course, what he does not say is that no scientist working in this field is claiming that this is what happened.
While he denigrates the work of scientists working on "origin of life" scenarios, such as 2009 Nobel Prize winner, Jack Szostak, he does not at any time explain how the designer went about creating life. Instead he uses a form of abductive reasoning:
X is necessary to the occurrence of Y;
Y exists;
therefore X must have existed.
Applying this to the cell, Meyer argues that the only way the information in DNA (Y) could have come about, is if it had been designed by a conscious intelligence (X). He admits himself that this argument will break down if it can be shown that there is any other way that this information can get into DNA. If it can be shown that this "information" can be built up slowly, bit-by-bit, then ID is invalidated. This is exactly what origin of life researchers are in the process of doing.
In conclusion, read this book if you want to understand how the cell works but be suspicious of his central tenet, that the cell was designed by a conscious intelligence.
48 of 73 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
In his recent book Signature In The Cell, Meyer presents a fresh outlook on one of the most compelling facets of the Intelligent Design case- that of biological information in DNA. Meyer provides a lucid and personal account of his own experiences as a scientist and philosopher revealing to the reader the watershed events that led to his move towards the intelligent design alternative.
Meyer's historical overview of the key events that shaped origin-of-life biology is extremely readable and well illustrated. Both the style and the content of his discourse keep the reader focused on the ID thread of reasoning that he gradually develops throughout his book.
Meyer does a marvelous job in conveying the personal tensions that so characterized the DNA story. His extensive coverage of 'turning point' historical moments reveals an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. Like few other scientific discoveries, that of the structure of DNA brought fundamental changes to our understanding of the chemistry of life since life itself could no longer be considered to be a mere product of matter and energy. As Meyer elaborates, information in the form of a DNA code had emerged as the critical player in defining the hereditary makeup of nature.
Meyer fleshes out a cohesive argument for intelligent design garnering support from an extensive body of molecular evidence and expert commentaries. His review of the `chicken and egg' paradox, as relates to the integral interdependencies of molecular systems such as transcription and translation, highlights once more why it is that evolutionary `pie in the sky' assumptions are powerless to explain the origins of critical life processes. Meyer then goes on to boldly entertain the idea that intelligent design presents us with the only causally adequate explanation for the origin of biological information and spends much of the remainder of his book tying together substantial evidence in support of his position.
Following in the footsteps of fellow ID advocate William Dembski, Meyer has done us all a great service by showing how the chance assembly of a 150 amino-acid protein pales in front of the available probabilistic resources of our universe. In other words, we are stopped dead in our tracks by a probabilistic impasse of the highest order before we have even begun assessing the geological plausibility of competing origin of life scenarios.
The scientific method commits us to finding the best explanation for the phenomena we observe. Drawing from the opinions of NIH biologist Peter Mora, Meyer shows us how the chance hypothesis- that purports to explain how life arose without recourse to design or necessity- has been found wanting particularly in light of the ever-growing picture of the complexity of the cell. A debate-clincher in Meyer's expose comes from his comprehensive summarization of the bellyaches associated with chemist Stanley Miller's controversial spark discharge apparatus.
In Signature In The Cell Meyer builds on Dembski's cornerstone case and uses a seemingly non-ending supply of illustrations to firm up his own supportive arguments. One can only imagine how Darwin might have felt coming back to find intelligent design legitimized through his own Vera Causa criterion. My hunch is that he would have applauded the current state of debate.
Meyer's historical overview of the key events that shaped origin-of-life biology is extremely readable and well illustrated. Both the style and the content of his discourse keep the reader focused on the ID thread of reasoning that he gradually develops throughout his book.
Meyer does a marvelous job in conveying the personal tensions that so characterized the DNA story. His extensive coverage of 'turning point' historical moments reveals an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter. Like few other scientific discoveries, that of the structure of DNA brought fundamental changes to our understanding of the chemistry of life since life itself could no longer be considered to be a mere product of matter and energy. As Meyer elaborates, information in the form of a DNA code had emerged as the critical player in defining the hereditary makeup of nature.
Meyer fleshes out a cohesive argument for intelligent design garnering support from an extensive body of molecular evidence and expert commentaries. His review of the `chicken and egg' paradox, as relates to the integral interdependencies of molecular systems such as transcription and translation, highlights once more why it is that evolutionary `pie in the sky' assumptions are powerless to explain the origins of critical life processes. Meyer then goes on to boldly entertain the idea that intelligent design presents us with the only causally adequate explanation for the origin of biological information and spends much of the remainder of his book tying together substantial evidence in support of his position.
Following in the footsteps of fellow ID advocate William Dembski, Meyer has done us all a great service by showing how the chance assembly of a 150 amino-acid protein pales in front of the available probabilistic resources of our universe. In other words, we are stopped dead in our tracks by a probabilistic impasse of the highest order before we have even begun assessing the geological plausibility of competing origin of life scenarios.
The scientific method commits us to finding the best explanation for the phenomena we observe. Drawing from the opinions of NIH biologist Peter Mora, Meyer shows us how the chance hypothesis- that purports to explain how life arose without recourse to design or necessity- has been found wanting particularly in light of the ever-growing picture of the complexity of the cell. A debate-clincher in Meyer's expose comes from his comprehensive summarization of the bellyaches associated with chemist Stanley Miller's controversial spark discharge apparatus.
In Signature In The Cell Meyer builds on Dembski's cornerstone case and uses a seemingly non-ending supply of illustrations to firm up his own supportive arguments. One can only imagine how Darwin might have felt coming back to find intelligent design legitimized through his own Vera Causa criterion. My hunch is that he would have applauded the current state of debate.
3 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
There is a plethora of Atheistic Evolutionary force in print these days, and it was quite refreshing to take a look at someone who doesn't just say.. because "God did it", Stephen Meyer presents the historicity for many of the commonly accepted theories attempting to squash a possibility of intelligent design - Hawkins, Dawkings and Darwin, and counters this by presenting a logical progression of his and others counter theories. The book is intriguing fun read and very informative.
If you are looking for the deeper philosophical issues - Why does god allow suffering etc. best stick to the Watchtower and Awake. This is a pure look at the scientific evidence allowing you the reader to make an informed decision for either or for neither.
If you are looking for the deeper philosophical issues - Why does god allow suffering etc. best stick to the Watchtower and Awake. This is a pure look at the scientific evidence allowing you the reader to make an informed decision for either or for neither.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Barely a whimper...
So a bit of background here, Intelligent Design arose from the desire of theists to see creationism taught in schools. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Martin Anderson
Brilliant, but not complete.
There is no doubt that Darwin was never right, and this work demonstrates why: it is yet another criticism to add to the mounting difficulties which Darwinism has faced from the... Read more
Published 10 months ago by Dr. Barry Pearlman
What an ID "defender" should have..
If you whant to have something "heavy" to throw on some "fossilized" assumptions, claims or unjustified critics against ID to crumle them then you should have it. Read more
Published 11 months ago by Jonin
Interesting read, very poor science.
This book was a disappointment to me. I am a career scientist but am not an evolutionary biologist. I was encouraged to read this book as a philosophical exercise in evaluting... Read more
Published 14 months ago by Steampunk
Evolution's killer!
Signature in the Cell: DNA and the Evidence for Intelligent Design:
This is a great book for anybody who looking for the truth, if you are looking for something scientifically... Read more
This is a great book for anybody who looking for the truth, if you are looking for something scientifically... Read more
Published 16 months ago by khalifa
Unbiased
It is a carefully crafted and presented review of the available evidence that is so often not mentioned when the subject of intelligent design is brought up in the media. Read more
Published 18 months ago by DennisO
Signature in the cell - excellent book
This book is well written and easy to read given the complexity of the subject. It is highly informative and thought provoking. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Andrew Preece
Signature in the Cell: DNA & the Evidence for Intelligent Design
I got it on time, but it got lost during some in home construction so only recently found it again.
I'm happy with shipper, but late giving feedback.
I'm happy with shipper, but late giving feedback.
Published 18 months ago by Virginia Lynes-lumsden
Dangerous nonsense
It's frightening that this book is so happily devoured by those people desperate to find an argument - any convincing-sounding argument - against evolution and the absence of a... Read more
Published 20 months ago by Magdalen
Three cheers for Commom Sense!!
The author has portrayed in a scientific, easy way to understand, even for a layman like myself, how information always flows from a mind. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Bez
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