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What does the challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution in America today mean for our future? To Kenneth R. Miller, award-winning professor of biology at Brown University, the rise of "Intelligent Design" is symptomatic of a much greater struggle: one involving a broad assault on the very reason and skepticism that have fueled our stunning scientific advances. A truly comprehensive book, Only a Theory does more than show why ID collapses as a scientific movement-it passionately lays out a prescription for how we can save the "Scientific soul" to which America owes so much.
Thoroughly enjoyable and informative, this new book by Miller (Finding Darwin's God), a Brown University biologist and leading proponent of evolution, dismantles the scientific basis of intelligent design piece by piece. He does this by taking seriously the claims of intelligent design (though with tongue often in cheek), such as irreducible complexity, and looking at the biological facts and the dubious conclusions ID concepts would lead to. He turns to the peer-reviewed scientific literature to demonstrate that the two biological phenomena ID proponents say could not have evolved-blood-clotting proteins and bacterial flagella-are now well-enough understood to fully rebut intelligent design. Looking at the underlying philosophical issues, Miller explains that ID's proponents want to replace modern science with "A 'theistic science'... that would use the Divine not as ultimate cause, but as scientific explanation." Miller effectively explores the devastating consequences such a change would have on both science and society. In a measured, well-reasoned book, Miller explains why evolution does not deny us our humanity or our unique place in the universe. Illus. Colbert Report appearance on June 16. (June 16)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.At the beginning of the 21st century, America is still conflicted about the theory of evolution, just as it was at the time of the Scopes Monkey Trial in 1925. One significant difference today is that critics of evolution contradict Darwin with the pseudoscientific concept of intelligent design (ID). Miller (biology, Brown Univ.), an expert witness in the 2005 evolution trial in Dover, PA, brings his same penetrating arguments against intelligent design to this book. Going beyond a mere evolution vs. ID argument, Miller examines America's role as a scientific leader in the world and how we are slipping from that position. Attempts to attack science and derail its importance lower America's standing throughout the world. Instead of painting a pessimistic view of our future, Miller shows how it is exactly the nature of America-from its beginnings as a group of revolutionary colonies-that also holds the greatest hope for ultimately retaining our position as a world leader in science. That hope will depend upon gaining public support and understanding of science, for which Miller provides a formula for achieving. Much of this book is rather technical and scientifically advanced, but it offers a unique perspective on this topic. Recommended for larger academic and public libraries.
—Gloria Maxwell
Only A Theory Preface
One: Only a Theory
Two: Eden's Draftsmen
Three: Embracing Design
Four: Darwin's Genome
Five: Life's Grand Design
Six: The World That Knew We Were Coming
Seven: Closing the American Scientific Mind
Eight: Devil in the Details
Notes Index
In this wonderful book, Ken Miller ably defends evolution from the attacks of Intelligent Design (ID). Neatly demonstrating how each of their examples of supposedly unevolvable systems are actually fully explainable by the forces of evolution and natural selection, he provides information of such clarity that even a complete layman could understand. But, for those already following the (public, not scientific) evolution controversy, this is old news.
What makes this book stand out from the other sources that pointing out the fundamental flaws of ID arguments is his thesis that science itself is under attack. It is a point I have seen him make in his public talks (many of which are available on YouTube...I strongly urge anyone interested in the subject to check them out), but in this book, he takes the time to really delve into this subject.
Miller argues that a primary reason for the USA's dominance in science has been the similarity between the American and scientific values: neither cares who you are or where you come from, but only what you can do. But if we change the ground rules of science so that it is no longer a strict meritocracy, Miller fears that the entire enterprise will collapse.
If you are interested in the the science of evolution, this book is for you. If you are fascinated by the public conflict between ID and evolution, this book is for you. If you care about the future of science and science education, this book is for you. And even if you just want to know what all the fuss is about, this book is for you.
4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Posted March 30, 2009
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Science writing for the non-scientific. Miller is able to distill complex scientific ideas into prose that anyone can understand. His insight into the impact of the "theory" of evolution on modern education and scientific thought in America is compelling. I would LOVE to take his introductory Biology clas....
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is a marvelously- engaging effort by Mr. Miller. Reading Only a Theory is akin to watching a captivating movie filled with intriguing special effects, robust characters, and a suspenseful plot. For years I have been grappling with the question: Which came first, the chicken or the proverbial egg? <BR/><BR/>You can not imagine my delight when I read Only a Theory, a book about Intelligent Design (ID) Theory versus Darwin's Theory of Evolution, and the ultimate question for scientific and religious scholars: How did my Persian cat and the rest of mankind get here? <BR/><BR/>My original game-plan in writing reviews was to adhere to a philosophy that stayed far, far away from politics, and religion. In spite of my past convictions, I find myself writing a review on a book that manages to make sport of politics, and religion! However, everyone from students to scholars, will enjoy this informative read from Kenneth Miller. <BR/><BR/>If you like imaginative courtroom drama, Perry Mason can't hold a candle to the final closing arguments in a trial which is a focal point in the book. It takes place in the quaint town of Dover, Pennsylvania. Biology Professor, Kenneth Miller, (Brown University) was one of the expert witnesses at the trial. He had the jury, judge, and me, intrigued by his take-no-prisoners testimony. <BR/><BR/>My favorite section is when testimonies from both sides explore the bio chemical systems produced by the body. These machine-like marvels control thousands of functions in perfect harmony, and precision (they are called bacterial flagellum). If you liked the movies featuring The Terminators and The Transformers, you will be enthralled by these beauties. <BR/><BR/>In the end both sides won some points. However, there are still gaps in both theories in which proponents say: Trust me. Only a Theory should be a valuable addition to any library. You will love it. Trust me! <BR/>Reggie Johnson, Success-Tapes.Com
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted June 10, 2008
It¿s a question that I have pondered before, 'How can America be one of the most scientifically advanced nations when such a scientific idea as evolution is so widely doubted compared to other countries?' But for the more economically thoughtful among us the answer is probably more obvious than not. The incredible -- and ironically rather Darwinistic -- powers and capabilities of competitive capitalism lie at the heart of America¿s soul. Consequentially, business is not the only place where such factors are present in the United States, for science is home to them as well. The result, then, is that just as good and bad products come and go before really great ones succeed in the niche of popular demand, scientific ideas 'even so called ones' are in a manner of speaking subject to the same experience. But there's a little bit of problem here, as Kenneth Miller elaborates on in his new book 'Only a Theory'. While the more competitive nature of science in the States has given fertile ground to great ideas, the arbiters of what constitutes good scientific ideas worth being taught in the curriculum have too often not been scientists! Rather political ideologues have attempted to interject what is somewhere between poor science and not-science to be either taught along with genuine science (at best...) if not to its detriment (at worst). With these concerns as the foundation of his book, Miller describes the problems that could confront America's scientific eminence if such aforementioned political forces were to gain further power. To fulfill his duty to ensure that more people become educated, and therefore hopefully able to make better decisions when it comes to the scientific education of our children, Miller, for three chapters, engages in a powerful but honest assault on the 'so-called' alternative scientific ideas that were argued over in the 2005 Dover trial. This is probably the best part of the book and undoubtedly the reason why many, if not most, will read it. Much of this portion of the book reads like a version 2.0 of his previous book 'Finding Darwin's God'. Miller takes on once again the claims surrounding the sacred icon of the recent 'Intelligent Design' movement: the bacterial flagellum. He also again addresses the argument of irreducible complexity as it relates to the blood-clotting cascade. Beyond this, Miller references a couple of examples of observed evolution-in-action with regards to synthetic compounds, and looks at our genetic relationship with the chimps. Suffice it to say Miller does, as we've come to expect, an excellent job dealing with the science and making his case. Michael Behe's newer work 'The Edge of Evolution' even gets a little addressing. It is perhaps a bit misguided to think that this book is all but a screed of scientific arguments. In fact, although it contains the scientific arguments, it¿s also more than that. Miller explores how the educational system is, in fact, facilitating the 'closing of the American mind', referencing Allan Bloom¿s criticisms of America's academic approach, and citing relativism as a culprit in the successes the ID movement has had on the PR front. Miller also says some words regarding God and faith, which I found enjoyable. Ultimately, while this book is not quite the powerhouse of scientific arguments that 'Finding Darwin's God' was 'after all, we¿ve been there done that', it is another admirable and timely book 'I¿ve been anticipating Miller's next book' that excellently addresses the current issues of the debate.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted April 23, 2012
I am humbled by the capability of the author to unravel the latest intellectual disaster being foisted on us by our medieval fifth-columnists and expose its bankruptcy as a scientific endeavor without ever sneering or strutting. ID is creationism, nothing more, and evolution by means of natural selection remains in ever increasing importance as the central unifying theory of the life sciences. We should be embarrassed by how badly we need this book, and grateful to the author for it.
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Posted March 26, 2011
This book tries to see what works about intelligent design. It gives you a background about the beginnings of the group behind intelligent design, and lets you see a glimpse behind why this notion is appealing to people and why people accept it without really knowing what's going on. It is well written, and easy to read. You don't need to be a scientist to understand it. I put it on my important books to read list.
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Posted March 7, 2011
Miller presents himself as neutral, but is actually quite sarcastic about I.D. He reduces the concept of I.D. to mere creationism and intentionally misunderstands everything. He even argues that intelligent designers believe gradual changes occur with a "Poof!" and a cloud of smoke. Miller and other scientists simply cannot grasp the fact that even the mere rules upon which their undesigned evolutionary process relies proves intelligence. Darwinists like Miller describe evolution as: "elegant." But in doing so they admit the universal principles that guide evolution are flawless. Miller's entire argument rests on the fact that "elegant pefection" exists as a result of the chaotic Big Bang and not intelligence. Strangely, however, he proves the theory behind an unguided "natural" evolution which arising out of pure chaos is more unlikely than the theory of an intelligently concocted "natural" evolution. THAT IS I.D.!!
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Overview
What does the challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution in America today mean for our future? To Kenneth R. Miller, award-winning professor of biology at Brown University, the rise of "Intelligent Design" is symptomatic of a much greater struggle: one involving a broad assault on the very reason and skepticism that have fueled our stunning scientific advances. A truly comprehensive book, Only a Theory does more than show why ID collapses as a scientific movement-it passionately lays out a prescription for how we ...