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Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution by Kenneth R. Miller β€” book cover

Finding Darwin's God: A Scientist's Search for Common Ground between God and Evolution

by Kenneth R. Miller
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Overview

From a leading authority on the evolution debates comes this critically acclaimed investigation into one of the most controversial topics of our times

Synopsis

From a leading authority on the evolution debates comes this critically acclaimed investigation into one of the most controversial topics of our times

Publishers Weekly

Though he takes a different tack than Wyller (above), Miller tries to draw a straight line between two apparently opposing ideas: the theory of evolution and belief in a creator. In a more humanistic account than Wyller's, Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, explains the difference between evolution as validated scientific fact and as an evolving theory. He illustrates his contentions with examples from astronomy, geology, physics and molecular biology, confronting the illogic of creationists with persuasive reasons based on the known physical properties of the universe and the demonstrable effects of time on the radioactivity of various elements. Then standing firmly on Darwinian ground, he turns to take on, with equal vigor, his outspoken colleagues in science who espouse a materialistic, agnostic or atheistic vision of reality. Along the way, he addresses such important questions as free will in a planned universe. Miller is particularly incisive when he discusses the emotional reasons why many people oppose evolution and the scientific community's befuddled, often hostile, reaction to sincere religious belief. Throughout, he displays an impressive fairness, which he communicates in friendly, conversational prose. This is a book that will stir readers of both science and theology, perhaps satisfying neither, but challenging both to open their minds. Illustrations. Author tour. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

About the Author, Kenneth R. Miller

Kenneth R. Miller, a recipient of numerous awards for outstanding teaching, is a cell biologist, a professor of biology at Brown University, and the coauthor of widely used high school and college biology textbooks. In addition, he has written articles that have appeared in numerous scientific journals and magazines, including Nature, Scientific American, Cell, and Discover. He lives in Rehoboth, Massachussetts.

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Editorials

Book List

An act of intellectual daring and spiritual integrity...a refreshing departure fromthe tired polemics of the evolution wars.

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Though he takes a different tack than Wyller (above), Miller tries to draw a straight line between two apparently opposing ideas: the theory of evolution and belief in a creator. In a more humanistic account than Wyller's, Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, explains the difference between evolution as validated scientific fact and as an evolving theory. He illustrates his contentions with examples from astronomy, geology, physics and molecular biology, confronting the illogic of creationists with persuasive reasons based on the known physical properties of the universe and the demonstrable effects of time on the radioactivity of various elements. Then standing firmly on Darwinian ground, he turns to take on, with equal vigor, his outspoken colleagues in science who espouse a materialistic, agnostic or atheistic vision of reality. Along the way, he addresses such important questions as free will in a planned universe. Miller is particularly incisive when he discusses the emotional reasons why many people oppose evolution and the scientific community's befuddled, often hostile, reaction to sincere religious belief. Throughout, he displays an impressive fairness, which he communicates in friendly, conversational prose. This is a book that will stir readers of both science and theology, perhaps satisfying neither, but challenging both to open their minds. Illustrations. Author tour. (Oct.) Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.

Marley Marl

Miller's scientific arguments are compelling, presented in terms that any layman could understand. He's never condescending or dull. Particularly entertaining is his response to the creationist's view that the earth is no more than 10,000 years old.
β€”Christian Science Monitor

Kirkus Reviews

A well-reasoned, intelligent text describing why followers of mainstream religions can also embrace the theory of evolution. Miller (Brown Univ.) presents the straightforward arguments that evolution is based on: Plants and animals show wide variation, and these variations must compete for limited resources. These statements displace the necessity of a creator to explain the origin of plants and animals. Miller argues, however, that this displacement does not necessarily disprove the existence of one. He relates his own experiences teaching introductory biology classes, during which students are surprised to discover that he believes in God. His arguments for the theory of evolution, while sometimes leaning toward the simplistic, persuasively point out that we often derive scientific facts (the composition of the sun, for example) from indirect evidence. The fact that we did not observe evolution taking place does not prevent us from supporting the theory empirically from the abundant fossil record. Miller similarly examines other arguments used against evolution, such as the age of the earth, punctuated equilibrium, and irreducible complexity, carefully examining each one. The picture he paints, aided by charts and graphs, is of evolution as a sound and proven scientific principle. Some creationists whose arguments are also examined seem to want to "raise reasonable doubt" against the theory of evolution, rather than present scientific evidence for an alternate theory. The author is disturbed that "so many would have pinned their religious hopes on the inability of science to explain the natural world." He is very much aware that reasoned arguments alone will not end the debate,placing his hopes instead on his conclusion that western religions and evolution are not mutually exclusive ideas. Although sounding like a high school textbook at times, an honest and heartfelt effort to bring together two disparate viewpoints.

Book Details

Published
April 1, 2007
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Pages
368
Format
Paperback
ISBN
9780061233500

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