The Human Question: What People Believe About Evolution Human Origins, and the Beginning of Life [Paperback]

Hervey Cunningham Peoples (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 15, 2003

The Human Question is a frank examination of all sides of the human origins debate. From Evolution to creation science and reincarnation to life on other planets, the book peels away the emotion from controversial topics to reveal the most common beliefs about human origins. Personal Interviews highlight each chapter and reveal why we often believe what aint so. Written with clarity and candor by a scientist for a general audience. Topics include The Five Most Common Beliefs About Human Origins - and the best evidence for each How and Where Did Life Begin? Seven Habits of a Healthy Skeptic The ABCs of the Evolution Controversy Five New Ways to Think About Evolution The Scientific Search for the Soul Is There Life on Other Planets? Reconciling Science and Faith The Answer

Editorial Reviews

Review

The Human Question by molecular geneticist and avocational anthropologist Hervey Cunningham Peoples is a thoughtful and studious presentation of all -- James Cox, The Midwest Book Review

Product Details

• Paperback: 296 pages
• Publisher: Red Lion Press (January 15, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972233067
• ISBN-13: 978-0972233064
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,618,268 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars. Skepticism and Spirituality for the average human, July 28, 2004

By 

S. Burrows - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Human Question: What People Believe About Evolution Human Origins, and the Beginning of Life (Paperback)

I wish I could give 3.5 stars for this book, which was an easy, fast and interesting read, but which left me wanting more detail in many sections. Written for a general audience, this book may not satisfy a reader with a scientific background who, like me, may find the passages on logical fallacies and on the basics of evolutionary theory to be old hat. However, a reader who knows little about evolution and hopes to learn will probably find this an enjoyable and non-intimidating introduction to the subject.

For me, the most interesting sections were those that traced the development of the American creationist movement. Underlying the book are a plea for a truce between the warring camps of strict creationists and strict evolutionists and a case for a more moderate approach that makes room for both science and religion -- inspiring food for thought.

What you should *not* expect from this book: Don't expect any substantial discussion of the belief systems of non-Western cultures. Do not expect the latest scientific findings on evolution and genetics or a large number of truly scientific and representative surveys of beliefs. Much use is made of interview snippets, which concretely demonstrate the broad range of beliefs about human origins in the United States. But although the 'Belief Survey' in the book was intriguing, since the sample was highly biased (ethnically, economically, and by education level) it left me wanting more and harder data. This was disappointing for a book that includes a whole chapter on scepticism -- and how data can be misleading.

Finally, do not expect that Peoples is neutral. She is not. While she is neither a strict evolutionist nor a strict creationist, she is certainly pushing a particular point of view. Read this book with an open mind and lots of critical reflection and you will undoubtably enjoy exploring one of the greatest questions of human existence: where did we come from?

5.0 out of 5 stars Everyone should read this book, March 19, 2004

By 

Kristie B (Missouri) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Human Question: What People Believe About Evolution Human Origins, and the Beginning of Life (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book very much. Instead of this being a evolutionist vs. creationist debate it just states all of the different theories and facts, and goes into the psychology of why we believe the things we believe. The most interesting aspect of the book was the discussion of the Moderates, people that believe in God and the facts of evolution. It surprised me how many people have their own theories of religion mixed with science. If a creationist read this book with a very open mind, they may see that they can take a deep breath, and possibly add evolution to their belief systems as well as their own personal ideas of God.

5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting, fascinating, informative survey of theories, March 11, 2003

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Human Question: What People Believe About Evolution Human Origins, and the Beginning of Life (Paperback)

The Human Question, by molecular geneticist and avocational anthropologist Hervey Cunningham Peoples, is a thoughtful and studious presentation of all that is known and all that is currently speculated about the scientific origin of humankind. Ranging from Darwin's famous theory of evolution, to more recent hypotheses on how life itself may have began, to the conflicts of secular scientific research with creationist theory, The Human Question is a compendium addressing the process of theory and debate in this continuing controversial issue. Summarizing both old and new finds in a prose text which is readily accessible to non-specialist general readers, The Human Question is recommended as an exciting, fascinating, informative survey of theories regarding the presence and evolution of human life on planet Earth.