J. Scott Turner’s new book, Purpose and Desire: What Makes Something “Alive” and Why Modern Darwinism Has Failed to Explain It here:
1. J. Scott Turner writes, “I have come to believe that there is something presently wrong with how we scientists think about life, its existence, its origins, and its evolution. . . . What’s worse is that being forced to make the choice actually stands in the way of our having a fully coherent theory of life, in all its aspects, most notably its evolution. In other words, this bias is now hindering
scientific progress” (p. xi). How does Turner’s claim here strike you? Do you resonate with it at all? Why or why not?
2. Turner describes a “Faustian bargain” that biology made in the twentieth century (p. xii). According to him, what was that bargain, and what was its impact? More.
This might be a good way to introduce civilized friends to the controversies in evolution today, over a coffee or beer.
Don’t forget the contest to win a free hardbound copy, free shipping: Uncommon Descent Contest: What should we call the reviewer of a book on evolution who seems to be shouting Amen! fifty times? Judged October 15, 2017.
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13 in Books > Science & Math > Evolution > Organic
- #62 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Religious Studies > Science & Religion
- #112 in Books > Textbooks > Humanities > Religious Studies
See also: Homeostasis: Life’s balancing act as a challenge to unguided evolution
J. Scott Turner in the Chronicle of Higher Education — ID is asking the right questions! (2007)
and
A biologist’s deep wish for Darwinism to make sense