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183rd out of 366 books
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Darwin on Trial
In 2006, Christianity Today voted this title to be one of the top 50 books that have shaped evangelicals A Christianity Today 1992 Book of the Year Runner-up Recipient of a Christianity Today 1992 Readers' Choice Award Here's the book that has rocked the scientific--and Christian--establishment.Phillip Johnson's critique of Darwinian evolution touched off explosions among ...more
Paperback, 220 pages
Published
November 1st 1993
by InterVarsity Press
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In a culture that supposedly places a high value on open-mindedness and healthy criticism, evolution has somehow been a sacred cow, beyond the reach of serious analysis. Dissent has been effectively marginalized through the use of a caricature which assures us that all educated people recognize that evolution is a fact, even if there are in-house disagreements about the details. We are told that the only dissenters are Biblical fundamentalists who insist on a narrow, literal reading of Genesis...more
In a culture that supposedly places a high value on open-mindedness and healthy criticism, evolution has somehow been a sacred cow, beyond the reach of serious analysis. Dissent has been effectively marginalized through the use of a caricature which assures us that all educated people recognize that evolution is a fact, even if there are in-house disagreements about the details. We are told that the only dissenters are Biblical fundamentalists who insist on a narrow, literal reading of Genesis...more
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Not worth reading. I do not say this because I have any particular prejudice against non-evolutionists or this man; I think they are wrong, but I do not respond ad hominem, but ad argumentum. Johnson makes the old argumenta, responding to the fossil record, punctuated equilibrium, and supposed contradictory microbiological evidence. One could find a much better book on the subject (even within the realm of creationist books).
Of course, the ultimate purpose of the book is not to put ...more
Of course, the ultimate purpose of the book is not to put ...more
Phillip Johnson's DARWIN ON TRIAL should be viewed by most as Creationism's MEIN KAMPF or COMMUNIST MANIFESTO; a slick, well-written legal brief against evolution which is merely a litany of Johnson's anger towards "naturalistic" science and a compendium of alleged flaws made by distinguished 20th Century evolutionary biologists. It soon becomes quite apparent that Johnson neither understands nor appreciates why science must remain an enterprise devoid of supernatural explanations; one...more
This is a great read that I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a systematic analysis of the underlying presuppositions that support the supposedly impenetrable fortress of "evolutionary fact."
Here are some quotes that illustration the book's position/purpose:
"The concept of creation in itself does not imply opposition to evolution, if evolution means only a gradual process by which one kind of living creature changes into something different. A ...more
Here are some quotes that illustration the book's position/purpose:
"The concept of creation in itself does not imply opposition to evolution, if evolution means only a gradual process by which one kind of living creature changes into something different. A ...more
I read this immediately after finishing Richard Dawkins' "The God Delusion", so it's been interesting to compare the books.
It struck me a long time ago that some evolutionary scientists were saying fairly absurd things in response to identified improbabilities in the theory (I noticed it once when reading what was obviously a completely imaginary narrative about the evolution of flying squirrels, for example). They often seemed to think that the ability to propose any explanatory story...more
It struck me a long time ago that some evolutionary scientists were saying fairly absurd things in response to identified improbabilities in the theory (I noticed it once when reading what was obviously a completely imaginary narrative about the evolution of flying squirrels, for example). They often seemed to think that the ability to propose any explanatory story...more
Read this in college...not sure which edition, but it was definitely a shorter read than the more recent offerings of this book. Read this back before I knew just how controversial evolution could be.
From what I recall, this book is boring, poorly written, and naive. Johnson takes the lawyerly approach to presenting a case against evolution and the results feel like the word has been reduced to a rickety grade school diorama. Johnson most likely focused on word play and arguments base...more
From what I recall, this book is boring, poorly written, and naive. Johnson takes the lawyerly approach to presenting a case against evolution and the results feel like the word has been reduced to a rickety grade school diorama. Johnson most likely focused on word play and arguments base...more
I was reminded about this book the other day as I was listening to a UCSD Anthropology podcast. As a child I was taught the typical anti-evolution Christian ideology. I've always been one to do my own research and make up my own mind about things. I finally got around to evolution in college where I minored in anthropology and learned of the ridiculously large body of evidence for this "just a theory". To be fair, I read this book to get a reasoned opinion from the anti-evolution camp....more
I should like to give this book 1.5 stars but that is not possible.
If you want to know what it's like to get the theory of evolution wrong in so many ways, yet think you understand it well enough to refute it, then read this book and believe what the author says.
Coming from an intellect of Johnson's caliber, I'm deeply disappointed in the many sophmoric logical fallacies (I do mean of the standard textbook variety) he employs for the sake of rhetorical persuasiveness--t...more
If you want to know what it's like to get the theory of evolution wrong in so many ways, yet think you understand it well enough to refute it, then read this book and believe what the author says.
Coming from an intellect of Johnson's caliber, I'm deeply disappointed in the many sophmoric logical fallacies (I do mean of the standard textbook variety) he employs for the sake of rhetorical persuasiveness--t...more
I'm rating this book on the assumption of a stipulated umpteen-billion-year history of the universe. That is not my current belief, but I have virtually no knowledge of the science of dating so I have nothing to say about it at this point.
I recently read Coyne's much more recent Why Evolution is True. Seems that Darwinists have not been able to improve their presentation, because Darwin on Trial pretty much destroys Coyne as if he were responding to him, rather than writing a book twen...more
I recently read Coyne's much more recent Why Evolution is True. Seems that Darwinists have not been able to improve their presentation, because Darwin on Trial pretty much destroys Coyne as if he were responding to him, rather than writing a book twen...more
This book is a refreshing, logical discussion of why many of the "facts of evolution" are simply not proven. As a child, I had no reason to question evolution. Everywhere I encountered it, biology class, museums, weather reports, astronomy lessons...it was presented as fact, not theory. The elaborate artwork that fills museums and books regarding evolution was not presented with a strong caveat. It was shocking to learn how experts--scientists-- defended evolution, even when faced...more
The book that launched the Intelligent Design movement. After reading this, you'll never look the same way at the shallow Darwinistic dogma you get in the average news story of high school science textbook.
The first really intellectually satisfying challenge to Darwinianism I've ever read. Johnson's book is NOT a religious challenge to Darwinian evolution, it is a scientific challenge to current evolutionary theory. Yet as a serious Christian I deeply appreciate the information that Johnson brings to light. It drastically reduced the tension between Christian faith and science for me. As someone who's also been deeply interested in science for most of my life it's also an eye opening presentat...more
A bit dated by the time I read it, but the logic is mostly sound and arguments are interesting. There is a lot that he gets wrong about evolution, though, which makes it difficult to persuade an audience that is not already sympathetic to his viewpoint. That's perhaps the biggest drawback. But if you're interested in understanding some of the history of the ID movement, it's not a bad place to start. I just can't say I was sold by his presentation. I thought about giving this a 2, but I di...more
Kate Mollohan
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This guy is an idiot. He gets nearly NONE of the science correct, and seems to deliberately misunderstand explanations, and repeats them to readers incorrectly. It's not surprising that I wouldn't like this book, but it was required for a class, and since I am a proponent of teaching evolution--correctly--I have to read the other sides' arguments as well. Luckily for science, most of the arguments are incorrect and uniformed, but unfortunately for science the general public buys into it.
Philip Johnson fully admits that he is not a scientist--a fact that his critics seem to have brought up as a reason to discredit him. To a certain degree, I think they are right -- if he doesn't have a deep understanding of the science, he misses out on some aspects of the discussion. But to a large degree I think it's an elitist attitude to claim that a lack of complete and deep understanding means that one does not bring anything to the conversation.
Johnson specializes in Law --...more
Johnson specializes in Law --...more
First chapter was an eyeopener for me. I never really thought about it before, but evolutionary thinking offers hypotheses not facts for their theory. Support for the theory of evolution has more faith than substance.
Full of information concerning fossil records, genetic, and molecular evidence, and such. The author writes as a lawyer, and stands face to face with the likes of Dawkins, Darwin, Gould, and others. Researched and well written.
Great book exposing the flaws in Darwinian logic and the lack of credible evidence for the scientifically inept theory. Darwinism is a religion, is supported by pseudoscience and is in general poorly understood.
Great book. Way better than Behe. The chapter on the fossil evidence is worth the price of admission. And lest you think Behe is a quack, he's Professor Emeritus of law at UofC, Berkeley.
Phillip Johnson is not a scientist, and that is shouted loud and clear throughout this book. There are many other great books out there that argue the same point, but in a much better manner. Most of the book felt like an attack on specific people or institutions rather than a logical refutation of a theory.
Bradley Brock
added it
Throws rocks at the evolution edifice but wimpily doesn't offer any alternate theory of his own.
Excellent legal like discussion regarding the theories of Darwin and how they can be broken down.
Another excellent rebuttal of the foolish beliefs of evolutionists
I read this at a time when I was much more sympathetic (wholly committed to) Young Earth Creationism. However, even then I found myself dismayed at Johnson's arguments. It was a long time ago, but I recall thinking that his arguments were pretty circular and didn't really address the validity of either position.
Rather, it focused on the fairly esoteric legal and political maneuvers of the cases that came to trial. I was hardly convinced that the YEC side was any more pure in their dea...more
Rather, it focused on the fairly esoteric legal and political maneuvers of the cases that came to trial. I was hardly convinced that the YEC side was any more pure in their dea...more
A lawyer argues against evolution. Tail chasing nonsense.
Kirsten
added it
Not light summer reading
Very good.
This book attempts to discredit Darwin's theory of evolution. Johnson has done a great deal of research on the subject and his arguments can't be pushed aside lightly. If nothing else he points out Darwinism for what it is, a faith system that does not require God. As a layperson I found some of the scientific data a little overwhelming at first. I had to go back and reread several chapters before I was able to truly understand his arguments. Overall I enjoyed this book.
Execellent and objective.
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