In 2004 the late philosopher of science Niall Shanks debated William Dembski (who with Michael Behe and Stephen Meyer may be regarded as one of the Three Musketeers of modern Creation Science/Intelligent Design standing opposed to the Four Horsemen of the New Atheism, Richard Dawkins, Christopher Hitchens, Dan Dennett and Sam Harris) publicly at East Tennessee State University. His preparation for the debate was thorough and his arguments more than countered those of his opponent. For those interested in this subject Shanks and Dembski took their show on the road and a repeat of the debate at UCLA is available at [...] God, The Devil and Darwin was published the same year and reflects Shanks' thorough research, compelling logic and penetrating intelligence as he counters each of the claims made by the Three Musketeers in its six chapters, introduction and conclusion. The book is introduced by Horseman Richard Dawkins who includes the comment: "Sophistry dresses the venerable watchmaker up in two cloaks of ersatz novelty: "irreducible complexity" and "specified complexity," both wrongly attributed to recent ID authors but both much older. "Irreducible complexity" is nothing more than the familiar "What is the use of half an eye?" argument, even if it is now applied at the biochemical or the cellular level. And "specified complexity" just takes care of the point that any old haphazard pattern is as improbable as any other, with hindsight. A heap of detached watch parts tossed in a box is, with hindsight, as improbable as a fully functioning, genuinely complicated watch." Shanks proceeds to illustrate the validity of this metaphorical opening shot across the bow. In the Introduction Shanks addresses the criticism often leveled at scientists that they begin from an a priori philosophical Naturalism and work backwards to confirm it. Shanks dismisses this as follows. "Scientists do tend to focus on the search for natural causes for effects of interest, but perhaps this involves less of a prior commitment to a naturalistic philosophy (most scientists in my experience-exceptions duly noted-couldn't give a hoot for philosophy anyway) and is more a reflection of the collective experience of scientists of all stripes over the last 300 years of modem science. We simply have not seen convincing evidence for conclusions supporting the operation of supernatural causes in nature." Chapter 1 provides a clear presentation of the concepts of Intelligent Design (ID) and a compelling criticism of ID on a philosophical level I which he touches on the problems of evil of poor design. Chapter 2 is devoted to a discussion of evolutionary theory as contrasted to ID and Chapter 3 to a counter to arguments from ID proponents that evolution would violate the 2nd law of thermodynamics. I found this chapter to be particularly well written. Shanks presents the laws of thermodynamics in very clear and concise language and counters the claims of ID advocates in an equally clear manner by developing the concept of self-organizing systems. Chapter 4 specifically addresses design in biological systems and elaborates on the problem posed by the presence of poor design in so many biological systems. Shanks analysis is compelling, but this chapter is particularly harshly written in its attack specifically on Dembski's position and motives. Chapter 5 elegantly undermines the case for irreducible complexity in biochemical systems in its modern incarnation as present by Behe. Chapter 6 is devoted to a counter to the cosmological argument for ID. In the Conclusion he wraps up his argument and also gives some thoughts on their implications for morality.
This book is almost a must read for anyone interested in learning more about the debate between ID and non-theistic Naturalism, regardless of their position in this debate. Shanks was an avowed atheist and a person deeply concerned with the intrusion of non-science into the teaching of science in the schools. He had a brilliant, analytical mind. As an occasional recipient of his ire as a colleague at East Tennessee State I can testify that he was also a passionate advocate in his defense of what he regarded as the valid approach to science. All of God, The Devil and Darwin reflects these aspects of Shanks' beliefs and personality.
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Top reviews from other countries
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Client d'AmazonReviewed in France on November 6, 2016
Un livre passionnant que je recommande de lire
- M. ParkesReviewed in the United Kingdom on March 22, 2006
Great for philosophy - pretty bad if you like hard science
