Because Ideas Matter...
The faculty and staff of Butler University's College of Liberal
Arts and Sciences presents
Recommended Readings
Only a Theory: Evolution and the Battle for
America's Soul
by Ken Miller, Viking, 2008
Reviewed by Michael Zimmerman
In a thoroughly engaging and informative
style, Brown University biologist Ken Miller takes on the concept
of intelligent design and explains why it has not a shred of
scientific merit to its credit. He does this in as respectful a
manner as possible by taking the claims of intelligent design
seriously and pursuing each to its logical scientific conclusion.
He shows the intellectual vacuity of irreducible complexity and
turns to the peer-reviewed scientific literature to demonstrate
that the two biological phenomena most often cited in support of
this concept (blood clotting proteins and bacterial flagella) are
now so well enough understood that continued referencing makes no
sense.
Miller also successfully moves beyond the details of intelligent
design and discusses the broader context and intent of the
intelligent design movement. Although his efforts here aren't new,
he effectively explains that the goal of the movement isn't only
the destruction of evolution. Rather, proponents want to replace
modern science with "'theistic science,' a new kind of science that
would use the Divine not as ultimate cause, but as scientific
explanation." Miller explores the devastating consequences that
such a change would have on science in particular and society in
general.
Finally, Miller ably addresses the fear that many who oppose
evolution share; evolution, in their minds, takes the "meaning" out
of life. And, as he says, although this isn't a scientific
question, "In some ways, it's the only question about Darwin's work
that really matters."
This is a thoughtful book about an important topic.
- Michael Zimmerman is Dean of the College of Liberal Arts and
Sciences and professor of Biology at Butler University