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Darwin's Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design Paperback – June 3, 2014
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When Charles Darwin finished The Origin of Species, he thought that he had explained every clue, but one. Though his theory could explain many facts, Darwin knew that there was a significant event in the history of life that his theory did not explain. During this event, the “Cambrian explosion,” many animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record without apparent ancestors in earlier layers of rock.
In Darwin’s Doubt, Stephen C. Meyer tells the story of the mystery surrounding this explosion of animal life—a mystery that has intensified, not only because the expected ancestors of these animals have not been found, but because scientists have learned more about what it takes to construct an animal. During the last half century, biologists have come to appreciate the central importance of biological information—stored in DNA and elsewhere in cells—to building animal forms.
Expanding on the compelling case he presented in his last book, Signature in the Cell, Meyer argues that the origin of this information, as well as other mysterious features of the Cambrian event, are best explained by intelligent design, rather than purely undirected evolutionary processes.
- Print length560 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherHarperOne
- Publication dateJune 3, 2014
- Dimensions1.6 x 6 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100062071483
- ISBN-13978-0062071484
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Editorial Reviews
Review
“It’s hard for us paleontologists to admit that neo-Darwinian explanations for the Cambrian explosion have failed miserably....Meyer describes the dimensions of the problem with clarity and precision. His book is a game changer.” — Dr. Mark McMenamin, paleontologist at Mt. Holyoke College and coauthor of The Emergence of Animals
“Darwin’s Doubt represents an opportunity for bridge-building rather than dismissive polarization―bridges across cultural divides in great need of professional, respectful dialogue―and bridges to span evolutionary gaps.” — Dr. George Church, professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and author of Regenesis
“Meyer writes beautifully. He marshals complex information as well as any writer I’ve read....a wonderful, most compelling read.” — Dean Koontz, New York Times bestselling author
“Darwin’s Doubt is by far the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive review of the evidence from all relevant scientific fields that I have encountered in more than forty years of studying the Cambrian explosion.” — Dr. Wolf-Ekkehard Lonnig, senior scientist emeritus (biologist) at the Max Planck Institute for Plant Breeding Research
“Meyer demonstrates, based on cutting-edge molecular biology, why explaining the origin of animals is now not just a problem of missing fossils, but an even greater engineering problem at the molecular level....An excellent book and a must read.” — Dr. Russell Carlson, professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the University of Georgia and technical director of the Complex Carbohydrate Research Center
“Darwin’s Doubt is an intriguing exploration of one of the most remarkable periods in the evolutionary history of life.... No matter what convictions one holds about evolution, Darwinism, or intelligent design, Darwin’s Doubt is a book that should be read, engaged and discussed.” — Dr. Scott Turner, professor of biology at the State University of New York and author of The Tinkerer's Accomplice
“It is a tour de force…This book is well informed, carefully researched, up–to–date and powerfully argued. It confronts Darwin’s doubt and deals with the assumptions of Neo–Darwinism. This book is much needed and I recommend it to students of all levels, to professionals and to laypeople.” — Dr. Norman C. Nevin OBE, BSc, MD, FRCPath, FFPH, FRCPE, FRCP; Professor Emeritus in Medical Genetics, Queen's University, Belfast
“Darwin’s Doubt is another excellent book by Stephen Meyer. Stephen Meyer has clearly listened to the arguments of those who are sceptical about intelligent design and has addressed them thoroughly. It is really important that Darwinists read this book carefully and give a response.” — Dr. Stuart Burgess, Professor of Design and Nature, Head of Mechanical Engineering at Bristol University
“I spend my life reading science books. I’ve ready many hundreds of them over the years, and in my judgment Darwin’s Doubt is the best science book ever written. It is a magnificent work, a true masterpiece that will be read for hundreds of years.” — George Gilder, Technologist, Economist, and New York Times bestselling author
“The issue on the table is the mechanism of evolution―is it blind and undirected or is it under the control of an intelligence with a goal in mind? In Darwin’s Doubt, Stephen Meyer has masterfully laid out one of the most compelling lines of evidence for the latter.” — Dr. William S. Harris, Professor, Sanford School of Medicine, University of South Dakota
“Dr. Meyer has written a comprehensive and up–to–date analysis on the massive scientific evidence revealing the total failure of the neo–Darwinian explanation for life’s history. Darwin’s Doubt is important, clearly written with sound arguments, excellent illustrations and examples that make the topic easily understandable even for non–specialists” — Dr. Matti Leisola, Professor, Bioprocess Engineering, Aalto University, Finland (emeritus); Editor-in-chief, Bio-Complexity
“Meyer makes a case for intelligent design as the only viable scientific theory for the origin of biological novelty. Meyer’s challenge to naturalism will no doubt be strongly resisted by those committed to a materialist worldview, but provide food for refection for those who are searching for truth.” — Dr. Donald L. Ewert, Molecular Biologist, Associate Member (retired), Wistar Institute
“Stephen C. Meyer’s Darwin’s Doubt is a truly remarkable book. Within its 413 pages of text are four tightly woven interrelated arguments. Using 753 references, he presents evidence associated with the serious weaknesses of materialistic theories of biological evolution, and positive evidence for the theory of intelligent design.” — Dr. Mark C. Biedebach, Professor Emeritus, Department of Biological Sciences, California State University, Long Beach
“A great book on the origin of animal life and crises of Darwin evolution; very clear, factual, comprehensive, logical, and informative. An enjoyable reading for both non–expert and expert.” — Dr. Change Tan, Molecular biologist/developmental biologist, Associate Professor, University of Missouri-Columbia
Steven Meyer gives an insightful and thoughtful treatment to the history of life. Justice Louis Brandies taught us that, ‘Sunlight is the best disinfectant,’ and Dr. Meyer lets the sun shine in. — Dr. Stephen A. Batzer P.E., forensic engineer Dr. Stephen A. Batzer, P.E., forensic engineer
“Steve Meyer’s book is a much–anticipated bombshell that details the swarm of problems of Darwinian evolution and also presents the case for intelligent design. Ask yourself: how often does a book of this kind receive a warm welcome from leading geneticists and paleontologists? Never, until now! ” — Dr. Tom Woodward, Research Professor, Trinity College, Tampa Bay, Author of Darwin Strikes Back: Defending the Science of Intelligent Design
“Stephen C. Meyer is brilliant and his latest book, Darwin’s Doubt is a must read.” — David Limbaugh, Syndicated columnist and author
“Stephen Meyer’s new book, Darwin’s Doubt, is a fascinating and rigorous study demonstrating not only that biologists and paleontologists do not have an adequate explanation for the Cambrian Explosion, but that there is an alternative view that makes more sense.” — Dr. Richard Weikart, Professor of History at California State University, Stanislaus; Author of From Darwin to Hitler
“Meyer is a talented writer with an easygoing voice who has blended interesting history with clear explanations in what may come to be seen as a classic presentation of this most fundamental of all debates.” — Terry Scambray, New Oxford Review
From the Back Cover
The Evidence That Darwin Could Not Explain
Charles Darwin knew there was a significant event in the history of life that his theory did not explain. In what is known today as the "Cambrian explosion," many animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record 530 million years ago without apparent ancestors in earlier layers of rock. In Darwin's Doubt, Stephen C. Meyer tells the story of the mystery surrounding this explosion of animal life and makes a compelling case for the theory of intelligent design as the best explanation for the origin of the Cambrian animals and the biological information necessary to produce them.
With a new epilogue responding to critics
About the Author
Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in the philosophy of science after working as an oil industry geophysicist. He now directs the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle, Washington. He authored Signature in the Cell, a (London) Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year.
Product details
- Publisher : HarperOne; Revised ed. edition (June 3, 2014)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 560 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062071483
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062071484
- Item Weight : 1.66 pounds
- Dimensions : 1.6 x 6 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #16,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1 in Creationism
- #15 in Science & Religion (Books)
- #37 in History & Philosophy of Science (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Dr. Stephen C. Meyer received his Ph.D. from the University of Cambridge in the philosophy of science. A former geophysicist and college professor, he now directs the Center for Science and Culture at the Discovery Institute in Seattle. In 2004, Meyer ignited a firestorm of media and scientific controversy when a biology journal at the Smithsonian Institution published his peer-reviewed scientific article advancing intelligent design. Meyer has been featured on national television and radio programs, including The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer, CBS's Sunday Morning, NBC's Nightly News, ABC's World News, Good Morning America, Nightline, FOX News Live, and the Tavis Smiley show on PBS. He has also been featured in two New York Times front-page stories and has garnered attention in other top-national media. Dr. Meyer is author of the New York Times bestseller Darwin’s Doubt: The Explosive Origin of Animal Life and the Case for Intelligent Design and Signature in the Cell, a Times Literary Supplement Book of the Year. He is also a co-author of Explore Evolution: The Arguments For and Against Neo-Darwinism and Theistic Evolution: A Scientific, Philosophical, and Theological Critique.
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Customers find the book excellent and educational. They describe it as wonderful, brilliant, and worth reading with an open mind. Readers praise the writing quality as well-written, meticulous, and cautious. They say the book is well worth the purchase and effort. Opinions are mixed on the pacing, with some finding it profound and compelling, while others say it's not stimulating and boring for laymen.
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Customers find the book excellent, educational, and thorough. They appreciate the rational, thought-provoking explanations. Readers also mention the book is well-documented and articulated. In addition, they say it's lucidly presented arguments that cover practically every topic. Additionally, they mention the book is convincing and incredible for exploring other possibilities.
"...The truth is out there one way or the other and either way it is very interesting and full wonder and surprises; but one thing IS certain...there..." Read more
"...This is a remarkably well-written, well-researched, and well-argued companion to Meyer’s previous volume Signature in the Cell...." Read more
"...After reading his well thought out and exceptionally well-organized books, if one is not at least impressed with ID’s scientific challenge, then the..." Read more
"...I highly recommend reading this book. it isn't an easy read, but very interesting and well worth reading with an open mind...." Read more
Customers find the book wonderful, brilliant, riveting, and bold. They describe it as a great summer read and reference book to keep handy. Readers mention that Meyer makes his case carefully, fairly, and with great skill. They also say the book is enjoyable and refreshing.
"...way or the other and either way it is very interesting and full wonder and surprises; but one thing IS certain...there will be many who will try to..." Read more
"...But that minor quibble aside, this is an outstanding book...." Read more
"...it isn't an easy read, but very interesting and well worth reading with an open mind...." Read more
"...11. Assume a GeneThis is perhaps the most interesting chapter in the whole book...." Read more
Customers find the writing quality of the book very well-written, methodical, and meticulous. They say it's bold, sweeping, and easy to read. Readers also mention that the author provides a clear, readable text.
"...recently at a Charlotte, N.C. conference and I was impressed with his presentation, knowledge, and focused passion...." Read more
"...However, I am glad that I persevered. This is a remarkably well-written, well-researched, and well-argued companion to Meyer’s previous volume..." Read more
"...After reading his well thought out and exceptionally well-organized books, if one is not at least impressed with ID’s scientific challenge, then the..." Read more
"...for and against Neo-Darwinism and Intelligent Design in an easy to read format...." Read more
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"...book, this is a challenging read in many places, but it is well worth the effort you will put into it." Read more
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Customers find the book thoughtful, critical, and respectful. They say it levels the philosophical playing field between theists and materialists. Readers also appreciate the thorough treatment of different schools of thought in mainstream science.
"...Intelligent Design, as a scientific theory, is that it levels the philosophical playing field amongst theists and materialists alike as each engage..." Read more
"...yet Darwin's Doubt is one of the finest examples of analytical, critical thinking I've read in years...." Read more
"...His research and reasoning are impeccable, and he is always respectful of others and their work (unlike most of his critics)...." Read more
"...Definitions and world-view implications aside, Meyer is a thoughtful, cautious writer and his review of this controversy is profound...." Read more
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"...and I was impressed with his presentation, knowledge, and focused passion...." Read more
"...genes are not precisely coordinated, the sentences will quickly degenerate into meaningless gibberish...." Read more
"...This book is better than Meyer's last book, I think, because it is more cogent and to the point...." Read more
"...intelligent design, wading through the technical evidence is difficult and tiring...." Read more
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"...is one example: "Darwin’s Doubt is by far the most up-to-date, accurate, and comprehensive review of the evidence from all relevant scientific..." Read more
"...I give the book 5 stars because it is best of breed. Meyer is more than fair and has answered the best arguments of his opponents, not straw men, as..." Read more
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I have both his books "Signature in a Cell" and "Darwin's Doubt". I have gone through them both once and I admit I need to read them again. Biology (to me) seems more difficult to understand than cosmology...but like any learning, there is always a learning curve. It is not learning that is the problem (we have a very capable brain), it is finding the time away from this rut-like-world to allow us to discern truth. I met with Dr. Meyer and listened to his lectures recently at a Charlotte, N.C. conference and I was impressed with his presentation, knowledge, and focused passion. I suspect in the future that Dr. Meyer and Richard Dawkins will/must have an open debate. Richard; you need to evolve, very quickly before you debate with Dr. Meyer--and you do not have millions or years to blindly do it.
The constant ad hominem attack by materialistic Darwinists that ID is just religion (in disguise) is a lame and childish whine--frankly; I believe most of you are tired of hearing it. If I.D. leads to religion then fine, but it does NOT begin with religion (there is no preempted bias). If one is seeking truth then one must be prepared to go where it leads regardless of how uncomfortable it might make you. There is no dogma in proper religion! Those that go and chant their brains into submission are only destroying the one very unique `tool' we have (our brain). IF one believes in God then they must be insulting Him...and Galileo said it first and best: "I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use". If there is any restriction to advanced knowledge then it is science which limits itself to only materialistic beginnings and only materialistic conclusions: it is particle physics that states matter is mostly empty space and E=MC^2 that concludes matter is energy and light (speed). And Quantum Mechanics involves itself hardly with that which is materialistically testable. Science is painting itself in its own materialistic corner (with no room to advance). Admittedly, I'm not sure where it would go, to advance past materialistic conclusions (and we should NOT give up trying but we should also not limit ourselves to it)--let's leave that to mathematics, philosophy, and some few really smart non-biased folks. But any dogma is bad when it brainwashes people from using their curiosity (be it science dogma or religious dogma) and it was bad religion (used to control people and maintain the power of religious leaders) that restraint society for over 1600 years until Copernicus and Galileo came along and liberated us from a Geocentric society (if the Catholic Church had sought truth then, then who knows how much further along we would be, now).
Our education system is another dogmatic establishment--it gets the basics into our heads and then it programs us to (overall) just get a job and earn a wage so that we will then be a tax base asset to the society. I know that sounds really, wrong--but think about it. Education should do what it does now--but we need to continue learning after we attain employment and we need to have the education system that teaches graduates to remain curious and to continue learning, but this curiosity needs to be guided by an experienced conscience. There are laws: cosmic and moral...all things are NOT allowed least we end up as a horde of pirates (and even pirates have a code). We are not designed to be too free (in what we do). Totally free, gets us into trouble and makes us lost; too limited puts us in restraints and causes us to rebel...honest justice, fairness, and truth is much more satisfying then collecting stuff. It seems that the abstracts (to include intelligence/information) satisfy us far better than any amount of materialistic items. I wonder why?
One thing that has twisted my head even before Dr. Meyer's books came along (and William Dembski also has some good books concerning I.D. backed up via mathematics) has now surfaced with a vengeance: If we are just Darwinist evolutionary mistakes with no purpose or reason for being and have survived only by blind natural selection `efforts' (which weeds out the non-functioning, the weak, old, and young), then why do we have the size brain we have? If we evolved by natural selection then that process provides just what is necessary to survive--not more. It does not provide MORE than what is necessary for that would be a waste of energy, materials, and need. Humans do not have any natural predators because we can out-think them and too we adapt our environment. Further, many of our most important advancements have (at the start) no Darwinist survival value. What are some examples? The four dune-buggies we have on the moon (or just going there), diving to the deepest parts of the ocean, beauty, art, music, flight, electricity, nuclear power etc etc. Admittedly, once having acquired such they have done humanity well. Our world would be terrible without electricity and what we have accomplished in medicine and chemistry is phenomenal. The only push that natural selection `should' provide is that we: don't get eaten, but can eat, survive our environment, and can prorogate our kind. So how did we get this brain that has allowed us to outdo natural selections' limited ability to only allow us to survive; to just get by? We are NOT just getting by.
I did not want to just review Dr. Meyers' book but to also make a plea that we use our brains for more than just a repository for dogmatic bias and power trips. Life and even existence itself (such as the age old question: Why is there something rather than nothing?) when we finally figure it out is bound to be stranger than we suppose. No! It will be stranger than we CAN suppose. And yet here we are trying to suppose it. Where did we get this ability? I believe the bottom line to where Dr. Meyer is making his conclusion is really all too obvious and also very controversial and not liked (just like the Big Bang Singularity is controversial and not liked as compared to the failed Steady State Eternal theory). If one discovers information then it must originate from intelligence--somehow. Disorder and chaos is the law of entropy. And in chaos and disorder information is not found (because it is chaotic) yet if there is information buried in the chaos then it has a difficult time hiding from our thinking abilities. For example: it takes a large brain to even recognize that a jigsaw puzzle began as a low entropic design, that was then cut-up and allowed to increase in entropy, so that we could then `enjoy' and use our imagination and thinking ability (our large brain) to put it back together (in order). We come into life with a puzzle--DNA; and this puzzle has purpose and is designed it cannot come out of chaos and error any more than a jigsaw puzzle can appear by mistake and blind natural selection. We seek knowledge, reason, and test for what is good in life (all three are scientific and all three are also Biblical). We look for patterns, symmetry, order, empirical ability, meaning, trust, fairness, perfection, we imagine and then design new things (and get upset when those things decay and break down) and we hate the insidious itch of time--we are one weird and special piece of work! We hardly fit in with any other creature on this planet in spite of the fact that we are all made of the same (few) periodic table elements. If there are aliens anywhere then in looking at life on Earth (collectively) we look to be the only creature not of this world.
Dr. Meyer is doing for our (biologic) scientific society and education what Copernicus and Galileo did for cosmology--many years ago they removed the dogma of a religiously controlled geocentric Earth. Dr. Stephen Meyer is removing the dogma of a narrow minded materialistically controlled antiquated science; borne of a time before electricity, hydraulics, aviation, and nuclear power.
Darwin is...really dead!
As of 27 Oct...
I've decided to not receive any more replies; (and to delete out some of my replies) the discussion(?) was full of childish egotistical rants, playground bulling and abuse (I even fed them back their own medicine hoping that they would come around and stop being so foolish...but it did not work). I'm too old, educated, and experienced...to compete over this length of time--it's a waste of effort and brainpower. No reasonable, logical, thought provoking words were received. At first (and in my post) I nearly begged for rational discussion...yet only received selfish prejudicial rhetoric based mainly on the comment that I went to a conference in Charlotte NC...so therefore I don't have a brain and must be a young earth, ark and flood believing Christian (poisoned against logic and materialism's 'only' answers to existence). Some Christians are young Earthers; not me, some do not hold any credibility to science (and evolution) not me...etc etc etc. And yet I've met many Christians who do accept materialism but also realize that everything cannot be materialism (there is a blending here in life and too in our existence--it is not so rigid and conservative as materialistic science forces those here to be limited to). Science has a philosophy and all scientists have a faith (in the universality of math, and reason an odd occurrence and language). I'm very confident that Dr. Meyer will ruffle up the Darwinist thought process in the future, regardless of the children bantering here. I'll just have to find a better source of folks to discuss with...I'm sure the Internet has many blogs which are not prejudicially limited and tied to a limited materialistic view point. The truth is out there one way or the other and either way it is very interesting and full wonder and surprises; but one thing IS certain...there will be many who will try to explain away the result because they are set in their way and do not want to change. The truth always makes someone uncomfortable...so we need to be ready to have an open mind.
Part 1 begins with a history of the early reception of On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin. It is hard to overstate the significance of this little book, which became the foundation of modern evolutionary theory. The scope of Darwin’s theory was vast (after all, he was trying to explain all life as we know it!), and he personally believed that he had solved every problem—save one. The budding discipline of modern geology had unearthed a piece of evidence that did not fit very well into Darwin’s gradualistic schema. Fossils indicate that about 530 million years ago—or what has come to be known as the Cambrian period—there was an extremely abrupt proliferation of different forms of animal life. These animal fossils showed no signs of evolutionary predecessors in earlier layers, leading to the apt description of the “Cambrian explosion.” Darwin himself was aware of this problem, and indeed it gave him some doubt as to the veracity of his theory (hence the title of Meyer’s book). However, he was confident that the problem would one day be solved—either it would be shown that Precambrian animals had not been fossilized for some reason, or their fossils had not yet been found. Meyer evaluates these two possibilities, and argues that subsequent history would have greatly disappointed Darwin.
Both of these efforts at explaining away the Cambrian explosion are variants of the so-called “artifact hypothesis.” According to this hypothesis, Cambrian fossils are merely “artifacts” of an incomplete record. Some have suggested that paleontologists need only to look in other places around the globe to uncover Precambrian ancestors, while others have suggested reasons why such ancestors could not in principle have been preserved—perhaps, for example, their soft body forms did not lend themselves to fossilization. Unfortunately, neither solution appears to match the observed evidence. Paleontologists since the time of Darwin have examined geologic layers across the globe, with the conclusion that there are plenty of Precambrian layers, but zero evolutionary ancestors to Cambrian animals. Moreover, there are plenty of non-animal fossils in the Precambrian strata—even those with only soft body parts. But if these soft non-animal fossils could have been preserved, why not also their animal counterparts? Darwinian Theory does not provide an adequate explanation, nor have subsequent complementary theories to Darwinism (such as punctuated equilibrium).
In Part 2, Meyer moves the discussion from fossils to genetics/anatomy. The fundamental challenge in building an animal from scratch is that you need to be able to create novel “protein folds.” This is one of the most basic units of mutational change that can lead to new function. And yet protein folds require a significant number of coordinated DNA mutations in order to come into being. Think of genes as letters strung together to form words, phrases, and sentences. If the genes are not precisely coordinated, the sentences will quickly degenerate into meaningless gibberish. This is the known as the problem of “combinatorial inflation.” Consider the example of a combination lock: each time you add another number to the lock, the resulting combination becomes exponentially more difficult to unlock. So it is with animal evolution—it becomes probabilistically prohibitive.
In Part 3, having concluded that Darwinism isn’t up for the job, Meyer surveys some of the other naturalistic explanations on the market. But these are also shown to be inadequate for various reasons. It is only at this stage of Meyer’s argument that he finally puts forward his own theory: intelligent design. Animals bear all the marks of “specified complexity” that we find in the products of intelligent agents. We easily recognize design in the world of engineering, for example. Why should it not be so in the world of biology? In essence, Meyer is making his case as an inference to the best explanation—taking into account the entire range of data, and ruling out any hypotheses that lack sufficient explanatory power. Meyer is quick to point out that the theory of intelligent design is scientific and not necessarily religious in nature (although it would certainly have religious implications).
And this brings me to my only possible critique of the book. Meyer’s reasons for wanting to distance intelligent design from religious creationism are political. His concern seems to be to allow the teaching of intelligent design in public schools. However, in my judgment the debate over public science education rests on the mistaken separation of “fact” from “value,” as if it were possible to teach religiously neutral science. This might be where my own neo-Calvinist sympathies come to the surface, but I believe that all education is inherently religious education. It all depends on what religion you subscribe to. And that means that fundamentally, all education will be either Christian or anti-Christian (although there will always be overlap, due to God’s common grace). So in the end, I don’t really have a problem saying that intelligent design is creationism. But that minor quibble aside, this is an outstanding book. It does get pretty technical pretty fast, so its audience will probably be limited to those with a college education. But this will be essential reading in debates over intelligent design in the coming years.
Top reviews from other countries
Reviewed in Brazil on August 22, 2023
The arguments he develops, backed largely by scientific evidence, are in many cases overwhelming, devastating for the adversary; and although he uses them in a kind and polite way, they are actually lethal blows that try to do as much damage as possible. There is no other option when you face the mainstream evolution theory which has become some kind of religion.
I personally disagree with Darwin and his many followers, but I also don’t think that the powerful and appealing hypothesis of intelligent design should be adopted as a winner as long as it can limit or hinder subsequent and necessary researchs. It seems like the most obvious solution though.
If you're not an expert in the field, it can become technical in some parts, but that is to be expected in such a book. Meyer has however done a remarkable job trying to make it understandable and applicable to a wide audience.
It comes highly recommended from me as a scientific read and for those inquiring into the origins of life.





