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'''''Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing''''' is a ] anthology edited by ] activist ] in which fifteen intellectuals criticise "]", which they use to refer to the theory of ].<ref>"As I stated earlier, Johnson, Dembski, and their associates have assumed the task of destroying 'Darwinism,' 'evolutionary naturalism,' 'scientific materialism,' 'methodological naturalism,' 'philosophical naturalism,' and other 'isms' they use as synonyms for evolution." Barbara Forrest. March 2000. Quoted in William A. Dembski. May 14 2005</ref><ref>"In his latest Commentary essay on 'Darwinism' - as it is often called by those who do not know much evolutionary biology..." Paul Gross. Commentary Magazine, Vol. 115, March 2003, No. 3</ref> The book's introduction characterizes Darwinism by the central claim that "an unguided physical process can account for the emergence of all biological complexity and diversity".<ref>Dembski, ''Uncommon Dissent'', p. xx.''</ref> '''''Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing''''' is a ] anthology edited by ] activist ]. In it, fifteen intellectuals criticise what they call "]", characterized in the book's introduction by the central claim that "an unguided physical process can account for the emergence of all biological complexity and diversity",<ref>Dembski, ''Uncommon Dissent'', p. xx.''</ref> but which critics say they use synonymously with ]<ref name="Forrest">"As I stated earlier, Johnson, Dembski, and their associates have assumed the task of destroying 'Darwinism,' 'evolutionary naturalism,' 'scientific materialism,' 'methodological naturalism,' 'philosophical naturalism,' and other 'isms' they use as synonyms for evolution." Barbara Forrest. March 2000. Quoted in William A. Dembski. May 14 2005</ref> without knowing much about ].<ref name="Gross">"In his latest Commentary essay on 'Darwinism' - as it is often called by those who do not know much evolutionary biology..." Paul Gross. Commentary Magazine, Vol. 115, March 2003, No. 3</ref> It is published by the publishing wing of the ] ]. The foreword is by John Wilson, editor of the ] magazine '']''. The title is a pun on the principle of biology known as ].

⚫ It is published by the publishing wing of the ] ]. The foreword is by John Wilson, editor of the ] magazine '']''. Described by the Discovery Institute as "a summary of the widespread attack upon Darwinism by ... leading intellectuals,"<ref> Center for Science and Culture, June 1 2004.</ref> the book rejects{{fact}} the broad acceptance of ] within the ].<ref>National Association of Biology Teachers </ref><ref> Joint statement issued by the national science academies of 67 countries, including the ] ] (PDF file)</ref><ref>From the ], the world's largest general scientific society: (PDF file), </ref> In her expert witness report for the ] trial ] cited ] fellow ]'s writings in Uncommon Dissent as evidence of the religious foundations of the institute's ] and of intelligent design.<ref> ], April 1, 2005, page 29.</ref>

The title is a pun on the principle of biology known as ].


==Topics Addressed== ==Topics Addressed==
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"Darwinism" is a term for the underlying theory in those ideas of ] concerning ] and ], and can refer to evolution by natural selection, to evolution more broadly, or to other ideas not directly associated with the work of Darwin. "Darwinism" is a term for the underlying theory in those ideas of ] concerning ] and ], and can refer to evolution by natural selection, to evolution more broadly, or to other ideas not directly associated with the work of Darwin.

⚫ Evolution has broad acceptance within the ].<ref>National Association of Biology Teachers </ref><ref> Joint statement issued by the national science academies of 67 countries, including the ] ] (PDF file)</ref><ref>From the ], the world's largest general scientific society: (PDF file), </ref> In a letter written in 2000, philosophy professor and intelligent-design critic ] states that "Johnson, Demsbki, and their associates have assumed the task of destroying 'Darwinism'", which, she says, they use as a synonym for evolution.<ref name="Forrest"/> Biologist ] writes in a 2003 letter to '']'' magazine of David Berlinksi's "latest ''Commentary'' essay on 'Darwinism'—as it is often called by those who do not know much evolutionary biology".<ref name="Gross"/>
⚫ Contributor James Barham argues in ''Uncommon Dissent'' that "it is incorrect to simply equate Darwinism with belief in evolution." He distinguishes empirical Darwinism ("the idea that the formation of new species is due to random changes in individual organisms that happen to be 'selected' by the environment") from metaphysical Darwinism (the claim that "the theory of natural selection has successfully reduced all ] and ] phenomena to the interplay of chance and necessity, thus eliminating purpose and value from our picture of the world"). For Barham, the "real problem with the evolution debate" is not empirical Darwinism, but a sort of "theory creep" in which a "bold but circumscribed scientific claim" (empirical Darwinism) becomes conflated with "a much more sweeping philosophical claim" (metaphysical Darwinism).<ref>Barham, ''Uncommon Dissent'', pp. 177–8.</ref>

⚫ Contributor James Barham argues that "it is incorrect to simply equate Darwinism with belief in evolution." He distinguishes empirical Darwinism ("the idea that the formation of new species is due to random changes in individual organisms that happen to be 'selected' by the environment") from metaphysical Darwinism (the claim that "the theory of natural selection has successfully reduced all ] and ] phenomena to the interplay of chance and necessity, thus eliminating purpose and value from our picture of the world"). For Barham, the "real problem with the evolution debate" is not empirical Darwinism, but a sort of "theory creep" in which a "bold but circumscribed scientific claim" (empirical Darwinism) becomes conflated with "a much more sweeping philosophical claim" (metaphysical Darwinism).<ref>Barham, ''Uncommon Dissent'', pp. 177–8.</ref>

==Reception==

The ]'s ], of which Dembski is a fellow, described ''Uncommon Dissent'' as "a summary of the widespread attack upon Darwinism by some of today’s leading intellectuals."<ref> Center for Science and Culture, June 1 2004.</ref> In her expert witness report for the ] trial ] cited CSC fellow ]'s writings in ''Uncommon Dissent'' as evidence of the religious foundations of the institute's ] and of intelligent design.<ref> ], April 1, 2005, page 29.</ref>


== References == == References ==

Revision as of 19:44, 10 January 2007

Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing is a 2004 anthology edited by intelligent design activist William Dembski. In it, fifteen intellectuals criticise what they call "Darwinism", characterized in the book's introduction by the central claim that "an unguided physical process can account for the emergence of all biological complexity and diversity", but which critics say they use synonymously with evolution without knowing much about evolutionary biology. It is published by the publishing wing of the paleoconservative Intercollegiate Studies Institute. The foreword is by John Wilson, editor of the evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today. The title is a pun on the principle of biology known as common descent.

Topics Addressed

The book contains four sections: Part I: A Crisis of Confidence; Part II: Darwinism's Cultural Inroads; Part III: Leaving the Darwinian Fold; and Part IV: Auditing the Books. Part I, consisting of three essays, offers opinions on why Darwinism is questioned by the public at large. Part II, consisting of four essays, discusses the authors' opinions on the effects Darwinism has had on society and culture. Part III, consisting of three essays, deals with the personal intellectual journeys of contributors Behe, Denton, and Barham, whose attitudes toward Darwinism have changed through their lives. Part IV, consisting of four essays, presents the authors' opinions on the consistency and scope of Darwinism.

ISBN 1-932236-31-7

The Dissenters

The fifteen "dissenting intellectuals" are:

Although at least three of the contributors work in biology-related fields, none is a professional biologist.

"Darwinism"

"Darwinism" is a term for the underlying theory in those ideas of Charles Darwin concerning evolution and natural selection, and can refer to evolution by natural selection, to evolution more broadly, or to other ideas not directly associated with the work of Darwin.

Evolution has broad acceptance within the scientific community. In a letter written in 2000, philosophy professor and intelligent-design critic Barbara Forrest states that "Johnson, Demsbki, and their associates have assumed the task of destroying 'Darwinism'", which, she says, they use as a synonym for evolution. Biologist Paul R. Gross writes in a 2003 letter to Commentary magazine of David Berlinksi's "latest Commentary essay on 'Darwinism'—as it is often called by those who do not know much evolutionary biology".

Contributor James Barham argues that "it is incorrect to simply equate Darwinism with belief in evolution." He distinguishes empirical Darwinism ("the idea that the formation of new species is due to random changes in individual organisms that happen to be 'selected' by the environment") from metaphysical Darwinism (the claim that "the theory of natural selection has successfully reduced all teleological and normative phenomena to the interplay of chance and necessity, thus eliminating purpose and value from our picture of the world"). For Barham, the "real problem with the evolution debate" is not empirical Darwinism, but a sort of "theory creep" in which a "bold but circumscribed scientific claim" (empirical Darwinism) becomes conflated with "a much more sweeping philosophical claim" (metaphysical Darwinism).

Reception

The Discovery Institute's Center for Science and Culture, of which Dembski is a fellow, described Uncommon Dissent as "a summary of the widespread attack upon Darwinism by some of today’s leading intellectuals." In her expert witness report for the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial Barbara Forrest cited CSC fellow Nancy R. Pearcey's writings in Uncommon Dissent as evidence of the religious foundations of the institute's Wedge strategy and of intelligent design.

References

  1. Dembski, Uncommon Dissent, p. xx.
  2. ^ "As I stated earlier, Johnson, Dembski, and their associates have assumed the task of destroying 'Darwinism,' 'evolutionary naturalism,' 'scientific materialism,' 'methodological naturalism,' 'philosophical naturalism,' and other 'isms' they use as synonyms for evolution." Barbara Forrest’s Letter to Simon Blackburn Barbara Forrest. March 2000. Quoted in Rebuttal to Reports by Opposing Expert Witnesses William A. Dembski. May 14 2005
  3. ^ "In his latest Commentary essay on 'Darwinism' - as it is often called by those who do not know much evolutionary biology..." Darwinism Versus Intelligent Design Paul Gross. Commentary Magazine, Vol. 115, March 2003, No. 3
  4. National Association of Biology Teachers Statement on Teaching Evolution
  5. IAP Statement on the Teaching of Evolution Joint statement issued by the national science academies of 67 countries, including the United Kingdom's Royal Society (PDF file)
  6. From the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the world's largest general scientific society: 2006 Statement on the Teaching of Evolution (PDF file), AAAS Denounces Anti-Evolution Laws
  7. Barham, Uncommon Dissent, pp. 177–8.
  8. Uncommon Dissent, Intellectuals who find Darwinism Unconvincing Center for Science and Culture, June 1 2004.
  9. Expert Witness Report Barbara Forrest, April 1, 2005, page 29.

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