Customer Reviews

Science on Trial: The Case for Evolution

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1 star:		(7)

 

 

Dr. Futuyma certainly does enough figurative hair pulling and garment rending in this book whenever the thought of creationists comes to his mind. A SUNY professor, and author of a well-known textbook on Evolutionary Biology, DJF writes this most interesting book for the layman interested in learning more about the case for evolution. While there are numerous books of this type in print today, Futuyma emphasizes topics not stressed in some of the others. He discusses the history of evolution from early times up to the neo-Darwinism of today. Interesting chapters follow on the fossil record - including a good section on the evolution of the horse -, natural selection, chance and mutation, and the basic concepts of scientific knowledge.

The author presents many of the creationist arguments, and spends time refuting them. As I mentioned above, he really gets irate when he considers their criticisms of evolutionary theory. "Abysmally ignorant", "nonsense", and "absurd" are some of the modifiers he uses when discussing them. His main points are that creationists perform no original research of their own, but instead try to discredit evolution by such means as: quoting scientists out of context; using disagreements between scientists as evidence that evolution is in trouble; conveniently disregarding evidence that they cannot explain; and promoting arguments inappropriately such as the second law of thermodynamics.

There are other excellent books to read on this subject. My favorites are The Blind Watchmaker by R. Dawkins, and Abusing Science by Philip Kitcher. This one deservedly belongs on the same bookshelf, unless of course, you are a creationist.

It's rare, but not unheard of, that I know by the 50th page of a book that I need to a) read this book again, and b) purchase a copy for my own library. "Science on Trial" is such a book. A remarkable book presenting arguments in favor of evolution as a counter to the rise of creationism. Written in 1983, Futuyma's arguments are perhaps even more relevant today, in light of recent developments in Kansas, Michigan, and other states. Futuyma's writing style is exceptionally clear and he presents science as it really operates and exposes the gaping factual and philosophical holes in the creationist movement. Obviously no book can ever change the mind of a committed, dogmatic creationist, but this book should be required reading for any school board candidate.

This is a great book; I read the 1983 edition and it has just about everything that's required to refute any creationist tirade that you might come across. In fact, the Appendix "Some Creationist Arguments, and Some Appropriate Responses" would make a great informational pamphlet in itself- perhaps something to distribute in Kansas ;)

This book truly exposes "Creation Science" as a sham, and proudly reasons through why. Offering inciteful information and diagrams, he carefully tears down the banner of lies held high by hard core creationists. However, even as it destroys creationist arguments, it displays current biological information that supports evolution 100%. Truly a book for the age when people are considering putting "creation science" in the classroom and Christian clubs bring lecturers into school to preach creationism. All those that don't face the fact of evolution after reading this book will never be convinced. Reading this with "Evolution: The fossils say NO!" and its sister "Evolution: The Fossils still say NO!" is an enjoyable experience, since Futuyma shows both these books to be ridiculous misconceptions of the facts.

An excellent work written by a highly-respected and credentialed research biologist. As such, Futuyma easily dismantles and exposes all kinds of special creationist misinformation, misrepresentation and rhetoric as it is most typically presented by religious non-scientists. And, as I have discovered via polling a prominent Christian apologetics programs, most special creationists do not even know this work exists. And for good reason. They rightly fear it. That is, since fundamentalists, by definition, cannot think for themselves. Still, this work is user-friendly for all, while remaining professionally-written and amazingly comprehensive in content throughout. Thus, Futuyma's book is very appropriate for those Christians (and other religionists) who actually desire and seek truth on the issue of biological evolution--as it is objectively/scientifically analyzed and tested. In this vein, a very excellent and scholarly companion or option is "Finding Darwin's God," by Christian research biologist (and theistic evolutionist) Kenneth Miller.

Concise yet powerful, Futuyma's Science on Trial is yet another outstanding defense of biological evolution. It's unlikely that creationists who want "both sides" taught in public schools want anyone reading this book, for it exposes creationism for the pseudoscientific nonsense it really is. Also recommended: SCIENCE AND EARTH HISTORY by Arthur Strahler, BLIND WATCHMAKER by Richard Dawkins, and SCIENTISTS CONFRONT CREATIONISM by Laurie Godfrey.

This book is perhaps the best refutation of Creation "Science" available. Futuyama explains both the fundamental nature of what science is, as well as providing an explanation of evolutionary theory that is accessible to the average reader.

Along the way, Futuyama treats us to almost all of the Creationist arguments, and explains in detail why they are mistaken. For example, he treats us to an exploration of transitional fossils, and shows why creationists are wrong to claim that they do not exist. He also shows how often creationists (like a few of the reviewers here), often take quotes from mainstream scientists out of context, in a dishonest attempt to make it look like those scientists believe something different than what they actually believe. Futuyama shows the context of those quotes, and by so doing, the essential dishonesty of the creationists.

Most importantly, Futuyama shows us that science does not rest on any revealed truth. The essential nature of science is to alter or discard ideas for whom the evidence cannot be found. In science, if the evidence refutes a statement from an authority, the authority is considered wrong. Indeed, as Sagan points out, science gives its highest prizes to those who disprove authoritative pronouncements.

This is entirely different from creationism, which starts with a revealed, authoritative "truth", and rejects evidence inconsistent with it. Creationists already have the answer, so the evidence is fungible, and in the final analysis, entirely irrelevant to the "truth" they believe. Whatever else that may be, it certainly isn't science.

Along with Philip Kitcher's "Abusing Science" (See my... review), this book is a classic defense against those who seek to force their religious views on others in the guise of science.

Futuyama does take on the Creationists on their own playing field. That is, he addresses their arguments that evolution fails to answer some questions that they have devised.

Creationist arguments sometimes include claims of the Earth being very young. The author shows that these are falsified by elementary geology. Matter of fact, some of them are falsified by elementary archaeology.

Another claim is that the second law of thermodynamics prevents order from arising naturally. Futuyama shows that's false. First the Earth is not a closed system: we get useful energy from the Sun, as well as from volcanic vents. In addition, has anyone making this claim ever seen a snowflake? It is easy for order to arise naturally. As a matter of fact, order tends to arise in a gravitational system as well, as anyone looking at our Solar System can observe. And an embryo becoming an adult shows an enormous increase in order.

One common claim is that life could not have originated "by chance." But, as Futuyama explains, this is suspect, given the compatability of the Earth with life, and given the presence of the ingredients. I agree. Sure, one can do a sloppy calculation, and say there is little chance for life to originate. But given that there is life here, the chances of that calculation being wrong are high. It's unreasonable to make an argument of the form, "I'm not smart enough to figure out exactly how life got here, therefore it never did get here."

There are also claims that mutation, recombination and natural selection can't form new features. In response, Futuyama shows how small changes have led to new features. And he also answers the question of how a new function, such as sight can develop so that each step confers a competitive advantage.

One favorite claim of creationists is the lack of intermediate fossils. But many of those intermediates actually have been discovered, as Futuyama ponts out.

But, of course, had Futuyama failed to answer these questions, that would not overthrow evolution, which is simply a set of facts. The key to accepting evolution is the positive evidence in its favor, which is so overwhelming that little if any argument needs to be made once one has these facts.

As Futuyama shows, that evidence includes fossil records, DNA, embryology, and homologies. And it is significant that these facts are consistent: as the author explains, a single undisputed Pre-Cambrian fossil of a flowering plant or mammal would falsify most of evolution as we understand it.

There is also a chapter on some of what bothers many Creationists, "social darwinism." This is a moral philosophy that attempts to justify unethical behavior on the grounds of natural selection. Futuyama points out that it is dubious to justify any ethical system on such grounds, and that the claims of the social darwinists are bogus. Again, I agree. I don't believe that ethical systems need to be based on the existence or non-existence of evolution. And they certainly do not need to be based on lies, nor should they be. We ought to know and teach the truth about evolution.

I think this is a valuable guide to evolution and the creationist attacks on it.

In an era when creationist ignorance has become acceptable, Douglas J. Futuyma presents a wonderful and authoritative refutation of creationism. Well argued and written, Science On Trial is a treat for both lay people and those who are well educated on this subject.

Though a little outdated since the pseudo-scientists calling themselves "creation scientists" have long since gone to "intelligent design" since they clearly lost the previous debates. However Futuyma does an excellent job of showing the clash between two world views and why creationism should never be taught as science in the classroom. Simply because it isn't science.

One thing I enjoyed in the book was how the author showed that people who can acknowledge Darwin was right, can still live a moral, decent life in harmony with others. Darwinism was misused by many who focused on the "survival of the fittest" theme whereas Darwinism brings humans into the great biological family that is all life on our planet. Humanity is no longer a battle against nature, but is man as a part of nature with interdependencies and symbiotic relationships that should be embraced and celebrated.

The sad reality is, that the creation myths are so vital to Christian Fundamentalism and the idea that Jesus died to save us from Adam's fall, that true believers of Christianity will cling to these irrational beliefs regardless what the evidence tells them. Even so, giving into fundamentalism and rejecting science will bring us into the intellectual darkness you see in the middle east.

Futuyma was one of the first courageous souls to stand up and do battle with the fundamentalists on this battleground. Reason and science owe him a big debt for this book. I'm glad other scientists have stepped forward to defend the application of the scientific method against the forces promoting superstition.

I welcome feedback on this and all reviews at wstrnlibwarrior@yahoo.com