cover image Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing

Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing

. Intercollegiate Studies Institute, $18 (366pp) ISBN 978-1-932236-31-6

If you've never heard the term""post-Darwinian,"" welcome to the world of thinkers who reject evolutionary theory and its reliance on the notion of chance (i.e.""random mutation""). In this provocative volume, biologists, mathematicians and physicists as well as theologians and other intellectuals--many affiliated with the Discovery Institute, which espouses the concept of intelligent design--argue, as editor Dembski writes, that""the preponderance of evidence goes against Darwinism."" The contributors invoke mathematics and statistics to support their theory that an""intelligent cause is necessary to explain at least some of the diversity of life."" In other words, the degree of diversity and complexity in life forms implies the need for an intelligent designer. The nature and identity of this designer is not discussed by all the writers; others call this intelligence God. Supporters of intelligent design differentiate themselves from creationists, but they, too, argue that their theory should be taught in high school biology courses. Anyone interested in these debates and their implications for education will find this collection to be important reading.