Wowbagger
3rd February 2008, 06:34 PM
So, on a challenge from a creationist, I had to read and review a book he recommend, while he had to read and review a book that I recommended.
The book I had to review was entitled Not by Chance! Shattering the Modern Theory of Evolution, by Dr. Lee Spetner
The entire review can be found here:
http://www.mitchlampert.net/Images/TAM5/NotByChance%20Review.htm
Some excerpts from my intro:
Strawman arguments are those that really do not address the opponent's position in a debate. Knocking them down is easy. Claiming that such a knock-down defeats the opponent is dishonest. The very title of this book is one example. The modern theory of Evolution does not rely on chance, especially not the form of "chance" implied here: that being a "lucky accident". Every book I have read on the subject makes it a point to reduce chance as much as possible, by placing its arguments into functions of physics, the environment, cumulative adaptations; and other aspects of the fitness landscape. Ironically, the author accepts much of those arguments. But, for some reason, he is under the delusion that "chance" still plays a significant role in neo-Darwinian claims.
If I were to write an anti-Intelligent-Design book, entitled "Not by Jesus!", I would be accused of making a similar strawman argument. Most ID proponents claim the actual identity of the Designer is irrelevant to their arguments.
To support his delusions, he utilizes a wide variety of tactics: shifting goalposts, bad assumptions, embarrassingly outdated material, irrelevant mathematics, and even appeals to morality. Rarely does he address the issues of experimentation. He probably assumes Darwinians don't bother with such things as testing their "silly" ideas.
Chapters 1 and 2 were the most "text book" boring. I complain that Spetner would probably make a typical high school teacher, and how his mode of thinking is probably stuck somewhere in the late 1960s.
Chapter 3: Spetner describes what he thinks the Neo-Darwinian theory is, and gets it wrong. He seems to employ "shifting goalposts" as a tactic, at one point.
Chapter 4: The author describes how improbable various improbable things are. I respond by mentioning how the goal of Evolution is to actually reduce that probability. I use some of his own examples against him.
Chapter 5: A lot of confusion regarding information theory is presented. I try my best to get the issues straight.
Chapter 6: Spetner vs. Dawkins. (Read my review for the final outcome of this epic battle!)
Chapter 7: The author contributes his own alternative to Darwinian theory, which for some reason, is not much different than the actual theory Darwinians use. Except for those bits about it not being related to genetics.
Chapter 8: Spetner steeps to the lowest of low arguments, when it comes to science.
The whole thing is 13 printed pages long. But, it seems to go by relatively fast. Enjoy!
http://www.mitchlampert.net/Images/TAM5/NotByChance%20Review.htm
This might not be the final draft of the review. I may alter different bits, based on feedback from a number of places. Including this forum!
The book I had to review was entitled Not by Chance! Shattering the Modern Theory of Evolution, by Dr. Lee Spetner
The entire review can be found here:
http://www.mitchlampert.net/Images/TAM5/NotByChance%20Review.htm
Some excerpts from my intro:
Strawman arguments are those that really do not address the opponent's position in a debate. Knocking them down is easy. Claiming that such a knock-down defeats the opponent is dishonest. The very title of this book is one example. The modern theory of Evolution does not rely on chance, especially not the form of "chance" implied here: that being a "lucky accident". Every book I have read on the subject makes it a point to reduce chance as much as possible, by placing its arguments into functions of physics, the environment, cumulative adaptations; and other aspects of the fitness landscape. Ironically, the author accepts much of those arguments. But, for some reason, he is under the delusion that "chance" still plays a significant role in neo-Darwinian claims.
If I were to write an anti-Intelligent-Design book, entitled "Not by Jesus!", I would be accused of making a similar strawman argument. Most ID proponents claim the actual identity of the Designer is irrelevant to their arguments.
To support his delusions, he utilizes a wide variety of tactics: shifting goalposts, bad assumptions, embarrassingly outdated material, irrelevant mathematics, and even appeals to morality. Rarely does he address the issues of experimentation. He probably assumes Darwinians don't bother with such things as testing their "silly" ideas.
Chapters 1 and 2 were the most "text book" boring. I complain that Spetner would probably make a typical high school teacher, and how his mode of thinking is probably stuck somewhere in the late 1960s.
Chapter 3: Spetner describes what he thinks the Neo-Darwinian theory is, and gets it wrong. He seems to employ "shifting goalposts" as a tactic, at one point.
Chapter 4: The author describes how improbable various improbable things are. I respond by mentioning how the goal of Evolution is to actually reduce that probability. I use some of his own examples against him.
Chapter 5: A lot of confusion regarding information theory is presented. I try my best to get the issues straight.
Chapter 6: Spetner vs. Dawkins. (Read my review for the final outcome of this epic battle!)
Chapter 7: The author contributes his own alternative to Darwinian theory, which for some reason, is not much different than the actual theory Darwinians use. Except for those bits about it not being related to genetics.
Chapter 8: Spetner steeps to the lowest of low arguments, when it comes to science.
The whole thing is 13 printed pages long. But, it seems to go by relatively fast. Enjoy!
http://www.mitchlampert.net/Images/TAM5/NotByChance%20Review.htm
This might not be the final draft of the review. I may alter different bits, based on feedback from a number of places. Including this forum!