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Uncommon Dissent

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Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing is a 2004 anthology edited by intelligent design activist William Dembski in which fifteen intellectuals criticise "Darwinism", which they use to refer to the theory of evolution. 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".

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. Described by the Discovery Institute as "a summary of the widespread attack upon Darwinism by ... leading intellectuals," the book rejects the broad acceptance of evolution within the scientific community. In her expert witness report for the Kitzmiller v. Dover Area School District trial Barbara Forrest cited Discovery Institute 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.

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 1932236317

The Dissenters

The fifteen "dissenting intellectuals" are:

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

References

  1. Dembski, Uncommon Dissent, p. xx.
  2. Uncommon Dissent, Intellectuals who find Darwinism Unconvincing Center for Science and Culture, June 1 2004.
  3. National Association of Biology Teachers Statement on Teaching Evolution
  4. 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)
  5. 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
  6. Expert Witness Report Barbara Forrest, April 1, 2005, page 29.

External links

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