But Is It Science?: The Philosophical Question in the Creation Evolution Controversy (Frontiers of Philosophy)

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 406 pages
• Published by: Prometheus Books March 1996
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 1573920878
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-1573920872
• Book Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Weighs: 1.2 pounds

Product Review
This is a worthwhile presentation of both sides of the evolution/creationism argument, written by one of those involved in the 1982 legal trial in 1982 which overthrew an 'educational equal time' law in Arkansas. Including important arguments like Bishop Paley's famous 'Blind Watchmaker' theory of 1805, quoted by creationists ever since, and Darwinian theories lucidly presented, the book also contains extensive philosophical analyses of the dilemma. (Kirkus UK)

Product Description
Is 'creation science' really scientific? What criteria, if any, exist for identifying a discipline as a science? This collection of essays answers these questions and many more about the creation/evolution controversy and the very nature of science itself.

Reader Reviews
This book of readings on the evolution/creationism controversy is set within the framework of the important case of McLean vs. Arkansas that overthrew an "education equal time" law in Arkansas in 1982. As one of the reviewers who actually read the book, I will say that it is quite worthwhile. The initial article that seemed to have given one exasperated reviewer such trouble was simply Bishop Paley's famous 1805 Blind Watchmaker argument for a creator as first cause. His inclusion of the eye as an example of argument from design is famous, and has stuck with the creationists ever since. Its inclusion in the book was important. Included articles discuss the history and development of Darwinian theory, the essence of evolutionary and creationist mechanisms (Yes, there is a creationist article in the book, by Gish), and the philosophy of science surrounding both evolution in general, and, towards the book's end, an extensive philosophical analysis of the trial arguments. I found the discussions of the trial to be fascinating. The sophistication and topics of the essays vary widely, and I would not recommend this book as an initial introduction for the layman. An excellent book to be read first or concurrently with "But Is It Science", would be "Abusing Science", by the noted philosopher of science, Phillip Kitcher. That book covers the basic mechanics and philosophy of evolutionist/creationist theory in any easy to understand, but reasonably thorough way.