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Darwin on Trial
Johnson, a professor of law at the University of California, Berkeley, assesses the evidence for evolution as a lawyer would. His discovery: there is no evidence at all that one sort of organism can evolve into another. The fossil record and genetics, in fact, point against the theory of evolution and Darwinism.
Hardcover, 195 pages
Published
January 15th 1991
by Regnery Publishing
(first published 1991)
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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 a...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 a...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 should on...more
Dec 21, 2011
John Brackbill
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
creation-evolution
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 Creator might well have employed such 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 Creator might well have employed such 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, no matte...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, no matte...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 based on defin...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 based on defin...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.
Reading th...more
Reading th...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--the result of promoting a...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--the result of promoting a...more
a dense book that takes on both extremes: the neo-darwinists AND the creationists. the writer is a lawyer, not a scientist and lets it be known at the beginning that his book is an attempt to examine the rationality and the reasons for both darwin's evolutionary theory and the creationists counter-argument. totally an amazing read. actually i think i'm going to have to study this book before i come to a firmer conclusion on where this book informs my already held position on this subject and whe...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 twenty years a...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 twenty years a...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 with huge cou...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 presentation...more
Oh my, I have long suspected, but did not know, how rocky the supposedly-scientific case for evolution is. The explanations given me in college and high school never seemed complete enough to warrant the "case closed" verdict accompanying them. But Johnson makes a devastating case that the scientific community is in a victory lap without ever playing the game.
The "arguments" repeatedly given by scientists form a unanimous non sequitor, to be charitable. It's systemic fraud, to be more frank.
Has...more
The "arguments" repeatedly given by scientists form a unanimous non sequitor, to be charitable. It's systemic fraud, to be more frank.
Has...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 did actu...more
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 -- specifically,...more
Johnson specializes in Law -- specifically,...more
I was given this book while I was dealing with medical issues; maybe the idea was that debunking evolution would bring me closer to God. Well, I'm Christian, thanks. This book made me want to vomit. Leaving out the obvious lies and misrepresentations (it's startling how far off Johnson is about the BMNH and its position on evolution), I am completely baffled as to how someone can attempt to debunk science when said person doesn't know what the scientific method is.
Phillip Johnson is a lawyer, so anyone who calls this book "scientific" is sadly mistaken. As for Johnson's arguments, most were rebutted before finding their way into his book. The Wikipedia article on Johnson is a good place to start, specifically Eugenie Scott's and Stephen Gould's criticisms.
A powerful and credible critique of darwinism and biological evolution. Focusing on where the evidence for evolution breaks down Johnson makes a convincing case that modern evolutionary theory is based in "pseudo-science" and has no true scientific basis.
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.
Authored by a lawyer and new convert (at the time of writing), Darwin on Trial provides much to shore up the Christian side of the creation vs. evolution debate with logic and information to challenge the strict Naturalist/Darwinist position.
Phillip E. Johnson is considered the 'father' of the Intelligent Design movement.
Phillip E. Johnson is considered the 'father' of the Intelligent Design movement.
May 20, 2010
Marie
rated it
1 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Marie by:
Pastor Dodds
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.
It does not focus on the modern theories about evolution and is littered with logical fallacies and badly researched nonsense. Satire at best.
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.
Good intro to the New Atheist movement. Comprehensive. A little out of date though.
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Sep 25, 2011 12:58pm