Evolution: A Theory in Crisis

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Evolution: A Theory in Crisis is a controversial 1985 book by Michael Denton in which he claimed that the scientific theory of evolution by natural selection was a "theory in crisis".

Contents

[edit] Contents

  1. Genesis Rejected
  2. The Theory of Evolution
  3. From Darwin to Dogma
  4. A Partial Truth
  5. The Typological Perception of Nature
  6. The Systema Naturae from Aristotle to Cladistics
  7. The Failure of Homology
  8. The Fossil Record
  9. Bridging the Gaps
  10. The Molecular Revolution
  11. The Enigma of Life's Origin
  12. A Biochemical Echo of Typology
  13. Beyond the Reach of Chance
  14. The Puzzle of Perfection
  15. The Priority of the Paradigm

[edit] Reviews

Creationists reviewed the book positively. John W. Oller, Jr of the Institute for Creation Research described the "secular critique of orthodox Darwinism" as "thoughtful, logical, empirical and well-written"[1]. Answers in Genesis, though cautioning that Denton's views are not of a "Biblical creationist" describe his book as having "exposed thousands to the overwhelming scientific problems of Darwinian belief"[2].

Christian apologist Thomas E. Woodward positively reviewed the book in Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, the journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, describing it as "an intellectual and spiritual delight," a forceful critique," and a "careful historical review". Marvin Keuhn had a letter to the editor published in the December 1989 edition of Perspectives, criticising this review "I take serious objection to all these points", including Woodward's impression that "informed reviews likewise share the same positive appraisal"[3]. Keuhn said that "five out of seven reviews I could obtain in my university library pointed out the serious errors of logic, synedoches, direct misquotes, gross factual mistakes, and even spelling errors in Denton's book. The only slightly positive comments came from the Parabola - an eastern mysticism journal - and from Stephen Rose [probably Steven Rose] who approved the critique of the path of avian evolution of flight even though he acknowledged the serious errors and oversimplifications in the book".

Reviews by the scientific community were indeed largely negative, with several attacking perceived flaws in Denton's arguments. Biologist and philosopher Michael Ghiselin described A Theory in Crisis as "a book by an author who is obviously incompetent, dishonest, or both — and it may be very hard to decide which is the case" and that his "arguments turn out to be flagrant instances of the fallacy of irrelevant conclusion"[4]. Biologist Walter P. Coombs writing in Library Journal said that Denton "details legitimate questions, some as old as Darwin's theory, some as new as molecular biology, but he also distorts or misrepresents other 'problems'" and that "much of the book reads like creationist prattle, but there are also some interesting points"[5]. Mark I. Vuletic in an essay posted to the talk.origins Archive[6]...

[edit] Historical significance and intelligent design

Reading A Theory in Crisis led to the rejection of Darwinian evolution by intelligent design proponents Phillip E. Johnson[7] and Michael J. Behe[8].

A Theory in Crisis predates the 1987 SCOTUS decision in Edwards v. Aguillard which was a catalyst for the foundation of the intelligent design movement in the early 1990s. Denton himself was involved with the intelligent design movement but has since left.

The Discovery Institute lists A Theory in Crisis as one of the "Peer-Reviewed & Peer-Edited Scientific Publications Supporting the Theory of Intelligent Design"[9], though the work is purely anti-Darwinian and does not mention intelligent design[10].

Denton's later book Nature's Destiny contradicts many of the points of A Theory in Crisis.

[edit] References

  1. ^ A Theory in Crisis, John W. Oller, Jr, Institute for Creation Research.
  2. ^ Blown away by design: Michael Denton and birds' lungs, Answers in Genesis, 1999.
  3. ^ Letter to the Editor Marvin Keuhn, Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, December 1989
  4. ^ An Essay Review based on Evolution: A Theory In Crisis by Michael Denton, Michael T. Ghiselin
  5. ^ quoted in Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, Amazon.com website
  6. ^ Review of Michael Denton's Evolution: A Theory in Crisis, Mark I. Vuletic, 1996-1997.
  7. ^ Berkeley’s Radical: An Interview with Phillip E. Johnson, Touchstone Magazine, 2002.
  8. ^ The Evolution of a Skeptic: An Interview with Dr. Michael Behe, biochemist and author of recent best-seller, Darwin's Black Box, origins.org, 1996.
  9. ^ Peer-Reviewed & Peer-Edited Scientific Publications Supporting the Theory of Intelligent Design (Annotated), Discovery Institute
  10. ^ CI001.4: Intelligent Design and peer review, Mark Isaak, An Index to Creationist Claims
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