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Doubting Darwin? Sahotra Sakar

Doubting Darwin? By Sahotra Sakar

Doubting Darwin? by Sahotra Sakar


$17.49
Condition - Very Good
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Summary

The debate about what to teach as science in our schools has reached boiling point, both inside and outside the classroom. From Young Earth to Intelligent Design creationism, the intrusion of political and religious ideals is damaging the integrity of our public education system.

Doubting Darwin? Summary

Doubting Darwin?: Creationist Designs on Evolution by Sahotra Sakar

Noted biologist and philosopher Sahotra Sarkar exposes the frauds and fallacies of Intelligent Design Theory, and its claim to be 'good science'. * A scientific and philosophical exploration of the debate between evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design in the classroom * Puts the debate into its scientific and historical context * Looks at a variety of topics, including the relation between Darwinism and modern evolutionary theory, the use of computer science and information theory by the creationists, and the idea of metaphysical naturalism * Rejects Intelligent Design's claim to legitimacy, showing clearly how and why it is an unsuitable alternative to evolutionary biology in the classroom * A thought-provoking book for those seeking to understand an intellectual debate that is shaping our education policies * Forms part of the provocative and timely Blackwell Public Philosophy series

Doubting Darwin? Reviews

"Technically sound in both philosophy of science and evolutionary theory, [Sarkar] appreciates the social responsibility of this position. He is not afraid to wade into a charged political atmosphere. It would make a wonderful textbook for an undergraduate course in either biology or philosophy, and could also be effectively used as a jumping off point into a deeper exploration of a host of topics. My copy will be close at hand on my bookshelf when ID creationists present themselves at my door." (Bioscience, December 2008) "This is a clear and judicious book ... Sarkar is to be praised for his nuanced and balanced presentation of the arguments and issues he discusses." (Kaleidoscope) "Sarkar's concise, elegant prose allows him to enlighten and engage readers on every topic...a must read for anyone interested in following the debate..." (Choice)

About Sahotra Sakar

Sahotra Sarkar is Professor of Integrative Biology and of Philosophy at the University of Texas at Austin. He is author of Genetics and Reductionism: A Primer (1998), Molecular Models of Life (2004), and Biodiversity and Environmental Philosophy (2005); editor of several books, including The Philosophy and History of Molecular Biology (1996), the six-volume Science and the Philosophy in the Twentieth Century: Basic Works of Logical Empiricism (1996), and co-editor of the two-volume The Philosophy of Science: An Encyclopedia (2005).

Table of Contents

List of Figures. Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. a. The Central Argument. b. The Evidence for Evolution. c. Rejecting Theories. d. Plan of the Book. 2. The Legacy of Darwin and Wallace. a. The Theory of Natural Selection. b. "Absurd in the Highest Possible Degree". c. Darwin's Unfortunate Retreat. d. Wallace and Weisman. e. The Decline of Darwinism. f. Mind and Culture. g. Contemporary Implications. 3. The Argument from Design. a. Adaptation and Design. b. Function, Design, and Selection. c. Blind Variation. d. Dembski's Resurrection. 4. Mere Evolution. a. Mendel's Legacy. b. The Modern Framework for Evolutionary Theory. c. Selectionism and Neutralism. d. Reconstructing the Past. e. Contemporary Debates. f. Terminological Choices. 5. The Cost of Lunch. a. Evolutionary Algorithms. b. The "No Free Lunch" Theorems. c. Dembski's Excitement. d. Utter Irrelevance. e. Adaptationism. f. Final Assessment. 6. Complexity is Complicated. a. Irreducible Complexity?. b. Pathways to ICSs. c. The Citric Acid Cycle. d. The Blood Clotting System. e. The Bacterial Flagellum. f. Protein Evolution. g. Irreducibility and Design. 7. Questions of Information. a. What is Biological Information?. b. Information and Evolution. c. Specified Complexity. d. The Law of Conservation of Information. e. The Cambrian "Explosion". f. Taking Leave of Creation Biology. 8. Cosmic Coincidences. a. Physics and Biology. b. Anthropic Principles?. c. The Force of Improbability. d. A Cosmological Design Argument. e. Is Fine-Tuning Surprising?. f. A Concluding Note. 9. Naturalism and Its Discontents. a. What Naturalism Is. b. Nagel's Legacy. c. The Problem of Normativity. d. Creationist Critiques. e. Metaphysical Naturalism. 10 Conclusions. a. Critiques of Evolutionary Theory. b. Is ID Science?. c. Back to the Classroom. Notes. References. Index

Additional information

GOR007356721
9781405154918
1405154918
Doubting Darwin?: Creationist Designs on Evolution by Sahotra Sakar
Used - Very Good
Paperback
John Wiley and Sons Ltd
2007-04-17
232
N/A
Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
This is a used book - there is no escaping the fact it has been read by someone else and it will show signs of wear and previous use. Overall we expect it to be in very good condition, but if you are not entirely satisfied please get in touch with us

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