“Shermer presents the case against intelligent design very well, refuting their arguments thoroughly. I consider Why Darwin Matters an excellent book to use as something of a primer on the evolution vs. creationism controversy.
However, Shermer is too soft on religion, going so far as to include a chapter called "Why Science Cannot Contradict Religion." I understand Shermer's desire to maintain a level of sympathy with his religious readers, but I also feel like such statements, innocently as they may be intended, help to undermine the scientific method. It is my opinion that science and religion are incompatible.
It seems like Shermer is very sympathetic to the views of Pope John Paul II regarding evolution and creationism (though I seriously doubt if Shermer actually believes any of it). I think that is intellectual laziness, because if you follow this train of thought to its only logical conclusion, you end up with a "creation timeline" that is not only ridiculous and inefficient, but also a physical impossibility.
Thankfully, the softness on religion takes up only a few pages in Shermer's otherwise brilliant book. Overall, I highly recommend it, but with the advice that it should be read carefully.”
RobertlewisIR wrote this review Wednesday, September 5, 2007.
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