Seeking God in Science: An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design [Paperback]

Bradley Monton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 20, 2009 | ISBN-10: 1551118637 | ISBN-13: 978-1551118635 | Edition: 1

The doctrine of intelligent design is often the subject of acrimonious debate. Seeking God in Science cuts through the rhetoric that distorts the debates between religious and secular camps. Bradley Monton, a philosopher of science and an atheist, carefully considers the arguments for intelligent design and argues that intelligent design deserves serious consideration as a scientific theory. Monton also gives a lucid account of the debate surrounding the inclusion of intelligent design in public schools and presents reason why students' science education could benefit from a careful consideration of the arguments for and against it.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Seeking God in Science is a refreshing and fair-minded exploration of intelligent design arguments. Unlike the many ideologically-driven detractors of intelligent design, Monton refuses to set up a straw man, poison the well, or dismiss it as unscientific. Bradley Monton writes as "a friendly atheist"—one who seriously and honestly considers claims that challenge atheism. As such, this book is a welcome breakthrough." (Douglas Groothuis )

"This is a brave and important book. Monton does not defend 'intelligent design' as true – he thinks it is most likely false. Instead, he defends it as a hypothesis worth taking seriously. He argues convincingly that it can be formulated as a scientifically testable hypothesis, and that there is some important empirical evidence for it – not as much evidence as its supporters claim there is, but some evidence. Virtually all voices in this debate insist either that ID is not even worth taking seriously or else that it is manifestly the truth. It is refreshing to see a talented philosopher give the thesis its due and make a serious attempt to weigh the evidence for and against it, without the weight of the ‘culture wars' hanging over every sentence." (John T. Roberts )

"It's about time that a competent analytic philosopher took a look at design-theoretic arguments in the sciences – and this because analytic philosophers have until now responded to serious challenges to prevailing orthodoxy by squirting out ink and indignation in equal measure. Bradley Monton's book should be read by philosophers, biologists and physicists willing to keep their minds open long enough to let out the stale air and let in a few arguments." (David Berlinski, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute, Center for Science and Culture )

"Bradley Monton has done the intellectual community an enormous service in writing this defense of intelligent design. As an atheist, he defends ID not because he thinks it is true. Rather, he shows how it raises important questions and how many critics, in their enthusiasm to kill the baby in the cradle, are short-circuiting a discussion that needs to happen. Monton understands that important questions are never resolved by ignoring or marginalizing them. By employing his considerable skills as an analytic philosopher, he brings clarity to this much controverted question of intelligent design." (William A. Dembski, author of The End of Christianity )

From the Back Cover

The doctrine of intelligent design is often the subject of acrimonious debate. Seeking God in Science cuts through the rhetoric that distorts the debates between religious and secular camps. Bradley Monton, a philosopher of science and an atheist, carefully considers the arguments for intelligent design and argues that intelligent design deserves serious consideration as a scientific theory. Monton also gives a lucid account of the debate surrounding the inclusion of intelligent design in public schools and presents reason why students' science education could benefit from a careful consideration of the arguments for and against it.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: Broadview Press; 1 edition (July 20, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551118637
• ISBN-13: 978-1551118635
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.4 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #973,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 50 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshingly, Intellectually Honest September 29, 2009

By D. G. Frank

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Congratulations to Dr. Monton for an intellectually honest and refreshingly objective analysis of the Intelligent Design (ID) argument! Though in the end he is not 'convinced' by the ID argument, some of the key arguments do make him 'doubt his atheism.' How delightful! Especially in contrast to the marginalization that one usually encounters from ID opponents in such debates. If an argument has merit, Dr. Monton concedes it...even supports it. I envy his students at the University of Colorado, and would bet that his philosophy classes are quite invigorating. I only hope that his university administration does him the courtesy of reading what he actually wrote, rather than accepting the characatures of this work certain to emerge by those 'religiously' and aggressively opposed to ID. The academic community is generally caustic to anyone giving credence to arguments that even hint of creationism. And although many proponents of ID have religious backgrounds (even religious motivations), ID is not creationism. (Note for philosophy students: genetic fallacy alert!)

Dr. Monton is especially qualified to discuss the ID arguments, and brings his academic training in philosophy and physics to the table in a fairly rigorous fashion, yet remaining accessible to a more general readership. There are some sections which are reminiscent of an academic philosophy paper (which may put off the more casual readers), but Dr. Monton is careful to stay on point, so the overall flow of his analysis is preserved.

Dr. Monton pulls no punches, objectively evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of several key notions in the debate. He critiques the standard definitions of ID, even offering definitions he finds more compelling. I disagree with his labeling of ID as a 'doctrine,' however, as even he concedes that one can legitimately and favorably consider many ID positions in the absence of any religious predispositions (eh, hem...the author is himself an atheist). Perhaps the 'doctrine' label is more practical than technical, as most ID proponents tend to come from religious persuasions. I would argue that labeling ID a 'doctrine' is somewhat marginalizing, however, which is not his style. His prose is fairly intimate and intellectually honest (giving insight into his personality), so I bet it would be fun take him to lunch sometime so we could argue about it...

Dr. Monton does not constrain his discussion to the academic/philosophical arena, but crosses the line into the practical by taking on the question of whether ID should be taught in school. This hot-potato issue is sure to bring attention to his book, and as I mentioned above, I only hope that he is treated fairly by the academy.

Because the Discovery Institute is one of the primary proponents of the ID argument they have naturally taken an interest in Dr. Monton, featuring some interviews of him in a series of podcasts ([....). These interviews provide useful insights into Dr. Monton's thinking and motivations, and I recommend them to the potential reader.

38 of 49 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Finally, some Philosophy of Science!!! September 6, 2009

By John Ferrer

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I heard Monton speak at an event in Fort Worth last year. The event was about intelligent design and it had a theist and atheist who were both pro-ID and a theist and atheist who were anti-ID. It was an intriguing formula that proved very insightful. Monton was of course the atheist who advocated ID. Most of the audience did not seem to understand his position because they were not very familiar with the philosophy of science. And frankly, most people I hear speaking strongly for or against ID don't really understand it that much either. Monton was very gratifying to my sensibilities because he saw the gaps in scientific theory that many of its players ignore. I can't stand the dogmatic dismissal of ID coming from typical atheists where they say, "ID is not science" but then they cannot define "science" except in ways that exclude much of contemporary science!!! They are tripping up on the Demarcation Problem--which to this day prevents a consensus definition of "Science" among its theorizers. Till questions like that can be answered without an ad hoc or reactionary tone, ID proponents will retain the privilege of calling it science. Monton's position is admittedly rare, but that is probably because he is doing the hard work of philosophy of science and when we really get down to brass tacks, the situation is much more nuanced and sophisticated than many naysayers and spectators think. A person can advocate both evolution and Intelligent Design--there is no theoretical exclusion there provided one is merely rejecting the "all-sufficiency" of evolution as a macro-explanation. And an atheist can grant merit to ID without having to sacrifice his atheistic scruples. It gets tiring to be in these debates and have people battling straw-man categories rather than the actual and substantive arguments and ideas at issue: "ID is glorified creationism," "God of the gaps is no worse than evolution-of-the-gaps," "Evolution is a religion." Yadda yadda yadda.

21 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A thought-provoking experience September 4, 2009

By Bilbo

Format:Paperback

Reading Bradley Monton's book, Seeking God in Science; an Atheist Defends Intelligent Design, was a fascinating, thought-provoking experience. A professor of the philosophy of science, Monton's goal is to help people get past the usual objections that prevent them for considering the arguments and evidence for intelligent design, such as, "ID isn't science;" or "ID is just a God-of-the-gaps argument." Once he clears the path, Monton then considers some of the arguments for intelligent design. He concludes that they might have some strength, but not enough to persuade him that Atheism isn't more likely to be true. I recommend it highly for ID proponents and critics alike. There's much you'll like and dislike, regardless of which side of the debate you're on.