Evolution and the Myth of Creationism: A Basic Guide to the Facts in the Evolution Debate

by Tim M. Berra

Book Overview

A Stanford University Press classic.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0804717702
• ISBN13: 9780804717700
• Release Date: June 1990
• Publisher: Stanford University Press
• Length: 220 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.0" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Good Statement of The Facts and Exposing Creationism

I purchased this book two weeks ago. This is a very interesting book which outlines the scientific method step by step. The book also discounts the arguments presented by creationists. Dr. Berra's book is very insightful and shows the logical progression/evolution of all life on the planet earth.

The Case Against "Scientific " Creationism

My son passed this book on to me when he was in a Catholic University. It was part of required reading in a Biology class, along with a copy of a book by Morris advocating the other viewpoint. Morris's book pretty much said, "the Bible says blah blah, blah, therefore, science is wrong." Berra's superb book began in the preface with a scathing indictment of the agenda behind Scientific Creationism - that agenda being enforcement of religious views on our educational system. In the process, Creationists misinterpret science wherever they like in order to make it fit the Bible. As applied to Scientific Creationism, "Scientific" is a misnomer. In order to qualify as science, first , data is gathered. A "Hypothesis" based on the data is formulated. The hypothesis is tested and results are published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal. The hypothesis, if it passes muster so far, is subjected to retesting by other scientists with verification of the results. The hypothesis describes "how" a process works, but says nothing about "why." A "Theory" may eventually be developed which explains "why", and has a stronger meaning in science than the usual dictionary definition. To become a theory indicates general acceptance by the scientific community, may be the end result of decades or even centuries of groundwork, and is always susceptible to modification or even rejection if new data demands it. This is the scientific method that helped to bring us out of the Dark Ages. Any theory that is not subjected to these procedures does not belong in science class. Research for Scientific Creationism consists of careful perusal of the scientific literature, hoping to isolate quotes, ideas, or disagreements amongst scientists which can then be misinterpreted to support Creationist arguments. This is not hypothesis testing. There is no testing in Creationism, but then religion is supposed to be about faith, whereas science is about evidence. Berra gives us several chapters outlining the very basics of evolution. Starting on page 126, he lists 16 assertions that Creationists hang their hat on, which are contradictory to basic sciences in geology, physics, biology, or chemistry. These are given in only a sentence or two, and Berra's rebuttals are almost as brief. He has a chapter about the politics of this sad situation, all in very blunt prose, not mincing words. Fortunately, Scientific Creationism's assertions are easily dealt with and you don't have to be a serious scholar to be convinced. Unfortunately, about the time Berra wrote this great little book, a new tactic arose called Intelligent Design. Briefly, the most liberal brand of the ID movement accepts a 4.5 billion year old earth and most of evolution, as the way God created man...however, at some unspecified crossroads in evolution, an unidentified "designer" intervened. This "had to be" because certain aspects of biochemistry/the eye/the flagellum are "irreducibly complex." T

cuts through all the confusion

This is a great book, written in a straightforward style, that presents the scientific data supporting evolution, and then presents with equal clarity the various attempts by religious fanatics to oppose evolution on supposedly scientific grounds. By making each side of the argument clear, Berra makes it easy for the reader to see the difference between argument based on evidence, and argument based on a desire simply to oppose a theory that some find unpleasant. Even people with a strong education in biology may sometimes find themselves taken by surprise by various carefully crafted arguments that creationists have devised, and so it is really useful for everyone to see exactly what the most commonly dredged-up creatinist arguments are. Since many of these creationist arguments are based on incorrect or out of context information, one really needs to know about them in advance in order to be able to adequately respond to them. So, this book is extremely useful for anyone concerned about the idea of special interest groups trying to force their religious agenda onto the public education system, and I therefore recommend it not just to scientists, but to everyone!

BEST INTRODUCTION FOR JUNIOR HIGH KIDS!

I bought this book for my sister back when she was in Junior High in 1994 because I wanted her to have the best introduction into the Evolution debate. I explained to her that in a science classroom she should expect to be taught science and science only. None of this anti-science, anti-reason, creationist propaganda that some teachers try to pass for SCIENCE. I explained that if she was interested in the creationist view of the origin of life on Earth she should attend sunday school - she never chose to do so. That's because there is something irrevocable about HARD EVIDENCE - it cannot be denied. To do so is to be willfully blind. Tim Berra eloquently explains and shows the reader why science is called that. Why anything that does not apply the SCIENTIFIC METHOD is NOT science. Evolution and The Myth of Creationism explains its three related purposes: 1. To explain evolution to people who are genuinely confused by the claims of creationists, who try to pass fundamentalist christian beliefs as science. 2. Provide useful ammunition to the high school biology teacher or school board member who finds him or herself under attack by creationists. 3. To be a useful supplemental text for introductory college-level classes in biology, zoology, botany, or anthropology.Tim Berra further explains that his book is blunt and to the point because "...scientists have, for too long, treated too lightly on the creationists, and have thereby fostered the impression that the creationists have a legitimate scientific voice. It is time for candor and clarity."I would like to point out that in many instances, the fundamentalists pull quotes and distort them for their own purposes. To familiarize yourself with such tactics turn to the last section in the book - "Science, religion, politics, law and education." Here you'll read about a number of landmark cases and trials that show you that REASON does triumph. When you finish the book you'll understand that we may be living in the 21 st Century, but what we are going through is no different than what Christopher Columbus went through when the earth was thought to be flat.

Probably the most readable refutation of creationism ever!

Dr. Berra's book presents the facts of evolution in a way that anyone can understand. He has made it fun, informative and extremely interesting. Dr. Berra clearly demonstrates that "scientific creationism" has no scientific merit and does not belong in our public schools. I believe that just about anyone would be well advised to read this book!