Explore Evolution: The Arguments For and Against Neo-Darwinism [Paperback]

Stephen C. Meyer (Author), Scott Minnich (Author), Jonathan Moneymaker (Author), Paul A. Nelson (Author), Ralph Seelke (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2007

The purpose of Explore Evolution is to examine the scientific controversy about Darwin's theory, and in particular, the contemporary version of the theory known as neo-Darwinism. Whether you are a teacher, a student, or a parent, this book will help you understand what Darwin's theory of evolution is, why many scientists find it persuasive, and why other scientists question the theory or some key aspects of it.

Sometimes, scientists find that the same evidence can be explained in more than one way. When there are competing theories, reasonable people can (and do) disagree about which theory best explains the evidence. Furthermore, in the historical sciences, neither side can directly verify its claims about past events. Fortunately, even though we can't directly verify these claims, we can test them. How? First, we gather as much evidence as possible and look at it carefully. Then, we compare the competing theories in light of how well they explain the evidence.

Looking at the evidence and comparing the competing explanations will provide the most reliable path to discovering which theory, if any, gives the best account of the evidence at hand. In science, it is ultimately the evidence-and all of the evidence-that should tell us which theory offers the best explanation. This book will help you explore that evidence, and we hope it will stimulate your interest in these questions as you weigh the competing arguments.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Two microbiologists, two philosophers of science and a technical writer present for students a concise introduction to the cases, both pro and con, regarding major aspects of neo-Darwinian evolutionary theory.

Within the evolutionary-biology realm, the authors explore how Darwin's theories of natural selection and universal common descent are faring these days. They use an inquiry-based approach: point, counterpoint. The book's brevity precludes extended treatment of topics, but through succinct language and extensive use of illustrated sidebars and summary boxes, an impressive amount of terrain is covered in a colorful and lively fashion. The role of the fossil record, biogeography and anatomical, molecular and embryonic similarities are rolled out to buttress the theory of universal common descent. Counterclaims follow that seek to undermine the earlier conclusions, including the circular reasoning of the molecular clock, the potential fabrications of Haeckel's ontogeny recapitulates phylogeny, how differing family trees are created via anatomical and molecular patterns of relationships and the meaning of gaps in fossil evidence. They move on to probe how the evidence squares with theories of variation, heritability and differential reproduction; that is, the creative power of natural selection. Challenges to examples of artificial selection and microevolution namely, the beak of the finch and the peppered moth classics take them apart without necessarily dismissing the theories writ large. The same can be said for natural selection as a whole, from disagreements that impugn the validity of co-option in forming complex organisms, or the importance of mutation in producing fundamentally new life forms. Still, in the end, it is Darwinism that raises the interesting questions, which is what good science is all about.

Substantive food for thought about natural selection and universal common descent, and surprisingly rich for so concise a treatment.

--Kirkus Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Hill House Publishers; 1st edition (January 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0947352481
• ISBN-13: 978-0947352486
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 7.8 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,427 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 64 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Accomplishes Its Intent February 7, 2009

By D. G. Frank

Format:Paperback

I am a PhD scientist, and I also teach honors high-school math and science courses to highly gifted young people. I am convinced that Explore Evolution (EE) will stimulate more interest and encourage more young people to pursue careers in the biological sciences than any other textbook I've seen.

Most high-school biology texts present biology topics (alas, also science) as a list of static theories and stale facts, rather than in the context of an exploration and learning process which is underway, fascinating, changing by the minute, and accessible to most anyone willing to invest themselves. Especially today, as the field of biology is expanding in so many new and exciting ways.

I am also convinced that this book will SWEEP the home-schooling community, as the prose is lucid and non-intimidating to any 'home-school parent.'

For those of you who want to understand why the ID community is critical of Neo-Darwinism, EE is an easy introduction. It is a bit shallow on its presentation of ID itself, as ID was not the focus. For a more thorough yet still accessible intro to ID, Behe's book is an essential read. Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution Behe's sequel is brilliant and thorough, but a bit more challenging read.The Edge of Evolution: The Search for the Limits of Darwinism

I appreciate the inquiry approach employed in EE for use at the high-school level, and have employed it many of my classes in the past. For example, I've had the students read Behe's book and Gould's 'Full House' books back-to-back (Gould's book is also brilliant, yet accessible Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin). Our class then took a field trip to meet with the late Dr. Gould, who was gracious and engaging.

Scientists are REAL people, they have real and interesting questions to explore, and they argue and debate about them all the time. That's half the fun! Giving our students a taste of that fun is an excellent way to interest them in science. And interested students learn more.

If you're expecting to see all the technical arguments in detail, you'll be disappointed. Remember, the audience is a high-school classroom. It is the gist of the argument/discussion that hooks them. But if you want the technical details, the book is well-referenced...and the references are refreshingly current.

The pitiful state of high-school science classes is well-lamented, and the legal and political debate over classroom curriculae will not end soon. The authors have tactfully removed the obstacles a typical school board would encounter. Thus, I expect to see EE popping up in school districts all over the country.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Brings to light its limitations and theoretical failure June 21, 2012

By R. Martinez

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

The book is not a Biology Text book, but it seems to be designed to supplement the study of Biology. The book emphasizes the basic premises of the Theory of Evolution, and brings to light its limitations. Here is an example: Fruit flies and wasps which are every similar in body form (phenotype). These two insects were theoretically assumed (by the theory) to share gene sequences and pathways (genotype) and explained their similarities in their body structures . If evolution is to be true any transformation of these insects could be explained by means of DNA (small) alteration (gene tinkering) to create new or altered body parts, that's assuming genotype and phenotype are correlated. This way of reasoning would be conceptually acceptable. But it has been found that their genotypes are not correlated in some cases. Although they have a strong semblance, their gene decoding schemes follow different pathways. These theoretical failure of the theory of evolution would be hard to find in the more general biology text books.

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Simple Yet Informative Read January 7, 2013

By Jack

Format:Paperback

I am a student in a 10th grade biology course, and we are using this text in our studies of evolution. Although we have not quite finished the book yet, I absolutely love this book. I am very pleased to finally find a book that looks from the matter at a perspective other than the "evolution and no other option" viewpoint that is forced into most students' minds.

I love a good debate, and I find it very refreshing to see people question the theory of evolution, while still explaining the evidence that scientists use to explain it. The only complaint I have is that this book lacks depth, and only gives a very basic explanation of the various theories. I will likely further my reading, as this topic interests me greatly.

I am disappointed to see so many 1-star reviews, simply because people don't like anything that dares question their evolution theories. It's sad to see such closed-mindedness (not that the other end of the spectrum is any less guilty), though I suppose it can't be helped.

Regardless, I found this to be a very helpful introductory material to the subject of evolution and the many theories surrounding it. I hope to delve deeper into the subject via further reading. I would recommend to this to any high school student or even someone in their early years of college who want a glimpse at both sides of the topic.