Evolution vs. Creationism: An Introduction

by Eugenie C. Scott

Book Overview

More than eighty years after the Scopes trial, the debate over teaching evolution continues in spite of the emptiness of the creationist positions. This accessible resource, now completely revised and updated, provides an essential introduction to the ongoing dispute's many facets--the scientific evidence for evolution, the legal and educational basis for its teaching, and the various religious points of view--as well as a concise history of the evolution-creationism...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0520261879
• ISBN13: 9780520261877
• Release Date: August 2009
• Publisher: University of California Press
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 1.55 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.0" x 7.0" x 9.8"

Customer Reviews

A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy

Evolution vs. Creationism by Eugenie C. Scott (Executive Director of the National Center for Science Education and former president of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists) is an ideal introduction to the concepts of evolution and creationism. Methodical, adhering to the highest standards of academic research, and superbly organized in its presentation, Evolution vs. Creationism is organized into three major sections: Science, Evolution, Religion, and Creationism; A History of the Creationism/Evolution Controversy; and Selections from the Literature. Evolution vs. Creationsim is informed and informative reading for both students and non-specialist general readers. Strongly recommended for both school and community library collections, Evolution vs Creationism is significantly enhanced with ten pages of "References for Further Study; as well as a Name Index and a Subject Index.

The best introduction to Evolution vs. Creation

Scott's book is probably the best on the creation/evolution dispute available at the moment which is accessible to students. It carefully addresses an audience which does not have a great deal of background knowledge of the subject.  People who are already deeply involved in the creation/evolution wars might find some of its material, particularly its characterizations of the nature of science, overly simplistic.  But that should be no concern.  Cutting some corners is unavoidable in any basic text.  The book is ideal for its market.  Many, such as myself, who have been teaching on the subject have lamented the lack of a good introduction for beginning students.  This is exactly what we need, and it fills an important gap in the available material.

An Invaluable Introduction

The public-school science curriculum is always an attractive target for screwballs, medical quacks, pseudoscientists, religious extremists, and people with fringe political agendas. What better way to get one's views accepted than to convert impressionable youngsters? Among the many movements that have tried to substitute their views for real science, none are more prominent or better known in the United States than the creationists. There are several species of creationists, and they have evolved over the years, racing to keep ahead of court decisions that have recognized increasingly sophisticated and slippery pseudoscientific assertions as veiled sectarian religion. No one is better qualified to explain the history, content, PR activities, and legal maneuverings of creationism than Dr. Eugenie Scott, the longtime director of the National Center for Science Education. NCSE is the resource center for scientists, educators, and their allies who have rallied to defend their state or local science curricula from the unceasing incursions of creationism. So, of course, Dr. Scott knows the territory - probably better than anyone else. There are many books describing creationism. Written from the standpoints of both creationists and their critics, these books have covered the field from the perspectives of history, science, religion, philosophy, law, and politics, among others. What Dr. Scott has endeavored to do in this book is to cover the field from all these perspectives and more, at a level friendly to the newcomer to the issue as well as to high-school and college students. She has succeeded in this admirably, and has also created a resource for the "old hand" who can use it as a refresher, a summary, and a source of references to many more specialized works. Dr. Scott is eminently fair, in that she sets forth the various creationist arguments (as well as their rebuttals) with accuracy and honesty. For the most part, she does so by extensively quoting the authors themselves. Because her reputation for fairness and honesty is well known in the creationist community, she has been able to obtain permission for these extensive quotes. The exception to this is the new gang on the block - the intelligent design creationists (IDCs) who have denied permission to quote from their copyrighted materials. Even there, however, she has paraphrased their writings with impeccable accuracy and fairness. For those who want a clear, reliable, expert introduction to the creationist movement - teachers, students, school officials, scientists, pastors, politicians, or lawyers - Evolution vs. Creationism is indispensable. And it's a good read, too!

Nature of Science

Eugenie Scott explains the nature of science: Science is guided by natural law, is explanatory by reference to law, is testable against the empirical world, is always tentative and subject to revision and is falsifiable. Creationism is an act of faith without testing and fails the nature of science.What many do not understand is that there is 1) no general all-purpose scientific method, 2) science is not only about experiments, 3) science is not invulnerable to fraud, 4) science can never provide final or absolute truth and 5) there are questions that science cannot answer. Science never proposes an irrefutable hypothesis such as "God did it!" Science accepts what cannot otherwise be disproven - and keeps testing, always looking for the defects and failures.Following Garrett Hardin's method of taking the opposite view, Ms. Scott makes a concerted effort on behalf of "Intelligent Design" and creationism proponents. The ID folks refuse to allow Ms. Scott to quote from their published materials, contrary to the norms of open and democractic discussion.The nature of science is that science is an act of nonfaith and is always subject to further testing. Science can never rely on the supernatural. There is no conflict between science and creationism. There is only a conflict in the minds of those who only rely upon the supernatural and faith. Ms. Scott presents a credible, easy to read and understand discussion. This book belongs in the hands of every K-12 and university educator, minister, school board and the general public.