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The Fact of Evolution? by David M The Fact of Evolution? By David M. Kern http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/ May 7, 2011 Copyright © 2011 by David M. Kern – All Rights Reserved Important Copyright Notification In order to provide a thorough analysis of the so-called Fact of Evolution , this book includes many short quotations from a large number of experts in a wide variety of technical fields. These quotations are copyright protected by the sources documented in the endnotes (see the "Notes and References” section located at the end of each chapter). I believe that these quotations fall under the Fair Use limitation of US Copyright Law (http://www.copyright.gov/fls/fl102.html ). However, Fair Use has a very vague definition and copyright violations are subject to legal penalties. An About Copyright document with additional information on this topic is posted on the Fact of Evolution website . Where I am quoting a larger amount of copyrighted material, I have obtained permission to reproduce this material on my website. My use of this copyrighted material does not imply any endorsement of the views presented in this document. Any permission I have been granted to reproduce this copyrighted material applies only to my specific use. I gratefully acknowledge the various sources who have granted me permission to reproduce their copyrighted material. Each chapter of this book has an Acknowledgment section that lists any specific permission statements that I have received. The Acknowledgment section is located directly before the "Notes and References" section. My major goal in writing this book is to seek the truth about a very complex technical topic. My motivation for quoting expert sources is to pass their words onto my readers with as little distortion as possible. However, copyright laws limit the amount of context that can be included in such quotes. This can also distort the meaning of a passage. I do not wish to distort the opinion of anybody that I am quoting. If you believe that I have distorted the meaning of one of your quotes, please contact me so that we can discuss this issue and negotiate a solution. A form for contacting me is located on this webpage: http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/contact . If you believe that I am reproducing your copyrighted material outside the bounds of Fair Use guidelines, please contact me to discuss this issue. I will attempt to resolve any copyright violations that I may have committed in a pleasant and prompt manner. Terms and Conditions This document is covered by a US copyright and it should not be sold in any format. An About Copyright document describes the “Usage Terms” for all documents that are posted on the Fact of Evolution website ( http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/ ). The Fact of Evolution? http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/ Special Thanks To my wife Christine, who put up with her often absent-minded husband during the multi-year project that this book ended up turning into. To a few dear friends who were willing to read various drafts of this book and provide comments and encouragement. To the many copyright owners who have generously allowed me to quote their copyright material in this non-profit work. To the many scientists who have publically expressed their skepticism about the so- called Fact of Evolution despite having their commitment to science criticized. To the many distinguished scientists whose empirical research is helping to uncover the amazing complexity of biological life forms. I have a deep respect for the detailed work these scientists perform. Any criticism I have to offer them relates only to claims that such biological complexity was certainly created through a process of Evolution, rather than through a process of Intelligent Design. To Google, for providing a free-of-charge website service that I have used to display this book to the general public. Opening Thought Despite the wide gap between supporters and skeptics of the Fact of Evolution , there are some areas of agreement. Neither side denies the reality of either genetic mutations or natural selection. Thus, there is a significant common ground in the acceptance of the two driving forces behind the Fact of Evolution . The disagreement between the two camps is about the high-level inferences drawn from these low-level facts. In the political world, a brilliant expert is somebody who shares your high-level inferences, and an ignorant dunce is somebody who disagrees with them. In a political scenario, brilliance and ignorance are in the eyes of the beholder. One of the characteristics of brilliant people is the ability to distinguish between the information one is absolutely sure of (the facts) and the uncertainty of conjectures that may stem from that information. One of the characteristics of ignorant people is the inability to make that distinction. Perhaps the conjectures associated with the Fact of Evolution are as brilliant as its supporters claim. Perhaps they aren’t. But in either case, denying skeptics the right to present evidence that challenges the Fact of Evolution amounts to promoting ignorance. Understanding the reasoning of an opposing position doesn’t imply agreeing with. An ability to understand the reasoning behind an opposing position is one thing that makes brilliant people brilliant. Closing one’s eyes to an opposing position is one thing that makes ignorant people ignorant. Brilliance and ignorance aren’t really in the eyes of the beholder. These words have a real meaning. Brilliant people recognize that. The Fact of Evolution? Copyright © 2011 by David M. Kern May 7, 2011 The Fact of Evolution? http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/ Table of Contents Preface – Why Write another Book? ............................................................................... i Notes and References ...................................................................................................... v Chapter 1 – Is Evolution a Fact? ..................................................................................... 1 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 13 Chapter 2 – A Magic Wand and Magic Fairy Dust ..................................................... 17 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 27 Chapter 3 – What Does Fact Mean To You? ............................................................... 30 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 41 Chapter 4 – Transforming Speculation into Fact ........................................................ 44 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 56 Chapter 5 – The Theology of Science ............................................................................ 60 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 70 Chapter 6 – The Danger of Circumstantial Evidence ................................................. 74 Notes and References .................................................................................................... 85 Chapter 7 – The Chicken or the Egg? ........................................................................... 90 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 101 Chapter 8 – How Complex is Biological Life? ............................................................ 105 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 116 Chapter 9 – Are Cells Irreducibly Complex? ............................................................. 121 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 133 Chapter 10 – Did Life Begin in a Chemical Soup? .................................................... 138 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 151 Chapter 11 – Monkeys Typing Shakespeare .............................................................. 156 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 167 Chapter 12 – Does Fossil Evidence Prove Evolution? ............................................... 171 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 184 Chapter 13 – Does Genetic Evidence Prove Evolution? ............................................ 189 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 202 Chapter 14 – Is There Evidence for a Young Earth? ................................................ 208 Notes and References .................................................................................................. 222 The Fact of Evolution? Copyright © 2011 by David M. Kern May 7, 2011 The Fact of Evolution? http://sites.google.com/site/factofevolution/ Chapter 15 – My Personal Opinion ............................................................................. 226 My opinion on the Fossil Evidence for the Fact of Evolution .................................... 229 My opinion on the Genetic
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