WHY DARWIN MATTERS: THE CASE AGAINST INTELLIGENT DESIGN PDF, EPUB, EBOOK Founding Publisher Michael Shermer | 199 pages | 24 Jul 2007 | St Martin's Press | 9780805083064 | English | New York, United States Why Darwin Matters - Wikipedia Excellent book, well-documented, well-reasoned and goes on the "must read" list for our homeschoolers, if only to learn from Shermer in how to frame and refute the arguments. It's not a long read, and A short, easy-to-read book from the editor of Skeptic Magazine. Shermer discusses the difference between the science of evolution and the idea of intelligent design, and explains why the one is taught He is the founding publisher of Skeptic magazine, the editor of Skeptic. He lives in Southern California. Michael Shermer. Science is currently absent from the field of morality. Shelves: skepticism , , biology. Why Darwin Matters , by well-known skeptic author Michael Shermer, is an excellent introduction to the science, and lack thereof, behind the "controversy" between evolution and "Intelligent Design" ID creationism that has jeopardized science education in the USA. Those who are seeking an in-depth criticism of current ID arguments, however, will find this book lacking in particulars. Shermer begins with a concise survey of what evolution really is, and masterfully sets the historical stage in wh Why Darwin Matters , by well- known skeptic author Michael Shermer, is an excellent introduction to the science, and lack thereof, behind the "controversy" between evolution and "Intelligent Design" ID creationism that has jeopardized science education in the USA. Shermer begins with a concise survey of what evolution really is, and masterfully sets the historical stage in which evolution is pitted against Christian fundamentalism. He accurately pinpoints the major logical fallacies characteristic of ID creationists' arguments, and briefly surveys the "best" arguments put forth in favor of ID, touching on the flaws in each. Finally, he reveals some disturbing facts about the true motives of the ID movement. All in all, the book is beautifully organized and extremely well written. Nonetheless, it is not until the Coda—after the Epilogue—that Shermer drives home the central argument against ID, that it is scientifically vacuous: "The problem with the supernatural explanations of Intelligent Design is that there is nothing we can do with supernatural explanations. They lead to no data collection, no testable hypotheses, no quantifiable theories: therefore, no science. To the average American, that's why Darwin matters. The battle-hardened scientist or science teacher already embroiled in the "controversy" will learn little from Why Darwin Matters —but will still enjoy reading it. And for any up-and-coming defender of science, this book makes a perfect springboard from which to explore the politico-religious phenomenon of ID in greater depth. Jul 12, Corinne Edwards rated it really liked it Shelves: , the-nook-book-club , non-fiction , religion , science , evolution. I have come to the conclusion that the subtitle should actually be the title of this book. Sometimes I felt like I was in court and Intelligent Design was the defendant - Shermer's purpose was to lay down the facts regarding evolution is such a way as to explain why Intelligent Design is a scientific impossibility. Or, the fact that, in his opinion, Intelligent Design is not scientific at all. I rarely read books that are so thoroughly scientific. I'm not going to lie: sometimes I had to skim ove I have come to the conclusion that the subtitle should actually be the title of this book. I'm not going to lie: sometimes I had to skim over the most in-depth parts about RNA and mitochondria and the more nitty gritty aspects of evolutionary theory. But there was much that was interesting about studies that have been done and anecdotal stories about evolutionary science - these were very accessibly written. I feel like I now have a sense for what both sides of the Evolution vs. Intelligent Design debate assert and that I'm more able to have an informed discussion about the topic. He goes into this in depth, obviously, as he separates the theory of evolution from theological discourse. I appreciated that he acknowledged that yes, it is totally possible to be reconciled to both - but I also felt, and this bothered me, that he tended to be condescending regarding those who DID believe in Intelligent Design. Actually, the whole tone of the book felt a bit condescending to me - and even though he presents an excellent case and I don't even disagree with his point - I just wish he'd been less patronizing. This book got me thinking, that's for sure. I can't pretend this is the perfect summer beach read or that everyone will want to pick it up, but it helped me use my brain for a while, got me to sort through how I feel about a multitude of issues and for the most part, it did entertain me. So, take from that what you will. Sep 06, Gendou rated it it was amazing Shelves: science , biology , non-fiction , skepticism , atheism. This book doesn't go into the medical, biological, and zoological importance of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. It exposes the "Intelligent Design" movement as nothing more than non-scientific Creationism dressed up in a bed sheet like a Scooby-Doo ghost. View 2 comments. Jun 23, Dyary Abubakr rated it liked it. Evolution matters because science matters. Science matters because it is the preeminent story of our age, an epic saga about who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Jun 24, Book rated it really liked it Shelves: evolution. It also provides lucid arguments in support of evolution. Positives: 1. One of the main reasons Michael Shermer is a very good author is because he understands his audience. He understands that this book is intended for the masses and he succeeds at providing the masses what it needs. A clear understanding of Why Darwin in fact matters and the facts about evolution, in an accessible manner. Shermer is also a very likeable and intelligent man and this comes through in his writing style which is straight forward, easy to follow yet profound. It's the perfect gift for someone who wants to know the facts from fiction regarding evolution and ID. It clearly shows why ID is not science by going over their arguments. Explains to the layman what constitutes scientific work. The concept of convergence of independent lines of evidence leads to the very compelling and single conclusion, that life evolved. Love the use of lists throughout the book, such as: vestigial structures, reasons why people resist the truth of evolutionary theory, seven strongest predictors of belief in God, reasons to engage in the debate between evolution and ID, arguments for ID, six cosmic numbers of the Anthropic Principle, ten "icons" of evolution, 7. Shermer knows how to get to the point and does a wonderful job with lists and other interesting tidbits. So much is covered succinctly in less than pages. A good section on science under attack and a discussion on important court cases. The truth behind the people behind the ID movement and their ultimate agenda. An interesting chapter on what the real unsolved problems in evolution truly are. A truly enjoyable introduction to evolution written in an accessible manner for all levels to enjoy. Extensive notes and the links work well. Negatives: 1. Not as technical as other books on the topic but provides great references for those who want to dig deeper. Table of contents work fine but you can't access it from the menu. I think the weakest part of the book is when Mr. Shermer tries to extend an olive branch of sorts to believers "Evolution makes for good theology. You can't allow faith to get in the way of the facts, no matter what they are. In summary, this book is another great addition to my evolutionary collection. Jan 11, John rated it it was amazing Shelves: science , books-i-own. In "Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design" Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, reviews succinctly both the overwhelming evidence in support of contemporary evolutionary theory and the pseudoscientific religious nonsense known as Intelligent Design, and then, discusses "the real, unsolved problems in evolution". Shermer, for example, has ample space to describe briefly Ernst Mayr's theory of allopatric speciation, and its relationship to punctuated equilibrium, the e In "Why Darwin Matters: The Case Against Intelligent Design" Michael Shermer, publisher of Skeptic magazine, reviews succinctly both the overwhelming evidence in support of contemporary evolutionary theory and the pseudoscientific religious nonsense known as Intelligent Design, and then, discusses "the real, unsolved problems in evolution". Shermer, for example, has ample space to describe briefly Ernst Mayr's theory of allopatric speciation, and its relationship to punctuated equilibrium, the evolutionary paleontological theory developed by American invertebrate paleontologists Niles Eldredge and Stephen Jay Gould. But he also devotes ample space to dissecting Intelligent Design concepts like William Dembski's "Law of Conservation of Information", noting its irrelevance to both current mathematical information theory and the transfer and accretion of information - via DNA - in living biological systems. He offers an elegant overview of the origins and history of the so-called "Evolution vs. Intelligent Design Debate", devoting ample time to the existence of the infamous "Wedge Document" and the trial proceedings of the Kitzmiller vs. Dover trial and, of course, the harsh verdict rendered by Federal Judge John E. Shermer's terse tome is noteworthy for several reasons. First, he recognizes the necessity for engaging Intelligent Design advocates like Michael Behe and William Dembski, among others, in debates between themselves and knowledgeable critics on behalf of genuine science like Shermer, if only to educate public audiences on the nature of scientific inquiry, the ample facts obtained from genuine scientific research, and the disingenuous lies, half-truths, and omissions promoted zealously by Intelligent Design advocates.