Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction [Paperback]

Eugenie C. Scott (Author), Niles Eldredge (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0520246500 | ISBN-13: 978-0520246508 | Publication Date: October 12, 2005 | Edition: 1

Almost eighty years after the Scopes trial, the debate over the teaching of evolution continues to rage. There is no easy resolution--it is a complex topic with profound scientific, religious, educational, and legal implications. How can a student or parent understand this issue, which is such a vital part of education? Evolution vs. Creationism provides a badly needed, comprehensive, and balanced survey. Written by one of the leading advocates for the teaching of evolution in the United states, this accessible resource provides an introduction to the many facets of the current debate--the scientific evidence for evolution, the legal and educational basis for its teaching, and the various religious points of view--as well as a concise history of the evolution-creationism controversy.
Each of the four sections of Evolution vs. Creationism provides a resource that will assist the reader in better understanding these issues. The first section addresses the nature of how evolution works as part of the scientific enterprise, as well as a summary of the relationship between religious beliefs and science. A section on the history of the controversy provides a handy synopsis of the lengthy struggles, from before Darwin to the present day, between advocates of creationism and the proponents of evolution. A collection of primary source documents addressing cosmology, law, education, and religious issues from all sides of the debate constitute the third section. The book concludes with a selection of resources for further information for those who wish to study the topic in more depth.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"The executive director of the National Center for Science Education, which advocates the teaching of evolution in U.S. schools, has written a valuable manual to the debate. It includes a section on evolution as part of the scientific process, a history of creationism, primary source materials from both sides, and a list of further resources."-

Library Journal, Starred Review --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Book Description

Provides one-stop shopping for students, parents, and teachers who want to know more about all aspects of the evolution-creationism controversy.

--This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: University of California Press; 1 edition (October 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0520246500
• ISBN-13: 978-0520246508
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 7 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,046,465 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

209 of 239 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nature of Science, July 15, 2004

By 

Scott M. Kruse "Biophysical Geographer" (Fresno, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction (Hardcover)

Eugenie Scott explains the nature of science: Science is guided by natural law, is explanatory by reference to law, is testable against the empirical world, is always tentative and subject to revision and is falsifiable. Creationism is an act of faith without testing and fails the nature of science.

What many do not understand is that there is 1) no general all-purpose scientific method, 2) science is not only about experiments, 3) science is not invulnerable to fraud, 4) science can never provide final or absolute truth and 5) there are questions that science cannot answer. Science never proposes an irrefutable hypothesis such as "God did it!" Science accepts what cannot otherwise be disproven - and keeps testing, always looking for the defects and failures.

Following Garrett Hardin's method of taking the opposite view, Ms. Scott makes a concerted effort on behalf of "Intelligent Design" and creationism proponents. The ID folks refuse to allow Ms. Scott to quote from their published materials, contrary to the norms of open and democractic discussion.

The nature of science is that science is an act of nonfaith and is always subject to further testing. Science can never rely on the supernatural. There is no conflict between science and creationism. There is only a conflict in the minds of those who only rely upon the supernatural and faith.

Ms. Scott presents a credible, easy to read and understand discussion. This book belongs in the hands of every K-12 and university educator, minister, school board and the general public.

75 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, December 6, 2005

By 

Matt Fabian (Navasota, TEXAS United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction (Paperback)

As someone who was reared in Creationism, but is currently thoroughly confused about the whole topic, this was a very helpful book. It is a great introduction to all the issues surrounding the evolution/creation debate: science, history, politics.

For me, it was helpful in pointing out many misnomers about evolution. For example, evolution does not teach that man came from apes, but that they came from a common ancestor. Also, the way scientists define "fact" and "theory" are very different from what we commonly think. Theories are the highest form scientific findings and facts are the lowest, opposite of what most think.

I took 1 star away b/c I felt the title is a bit misleading. I thought the book would present both sides but not take sides. The book does take sides: it is pro-evolution. I do think the author does her best to understand and explain the positions of Creationists. No, maybe she can't be totally unbiased since she is an evolutionist, but who can be totally unbiased? Would a Creationist be unbiased?

56 of 62 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction to Evolution vs. Creation, August 16, 2004

By 

Taner Edis (Kirksville, MO United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction (Hardcover)

Scott's book is probably the best on the creation/evolution dispute available at the moment which is accessible to students. It carefully addresses an audience which does not have a great deal of background knowledge of the subject.  People who are already deeply involved in the creation/evolution wars might find some of its material, particularly its characterizations of the nature of science, overly simplistic.  But that should be no concern.  Cutting some corners is unavoidable in any basic text.  The book is ideal for its market.  Many, such as myself, who have been teaching on the subject have lamented the lack of a good introduction for beginning students.  This is exactly what we need, and it fills an important gap in the available material.