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Jean Rostand on Evolution

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In his 1956 book, “A Biologist’s View”, French biologist Jean Rostand wrote:

“If it is true that neither Lamarckism nor mutationism [Darwinism] enable us to understand the mechanism of evolution, we must have the courage to recognise that we know nothing of this mechanism…Some people may perhaps feel that such a confession of ignorance plays into the hands of those who are still fighting the doctrine of evolution. But quite apart from the fact that the most elementary intellectual honesty demands that we should say ‘I do not know’ where we believe that this is so, I think that this doctrine is now so solidly grounded on its own merits that it needs no support from false advocacy. I must add that however obscure the causes of evolution appear to me to be, I do not doubt for a moment that they are entirely natural.”

It is becoming harder and harder to find Darwinists willing to make a serious attempt to defend their theory, and explain how it could account for the complexity of life, they are almost entirely in attack mode*. Their three main arguments are 1) ID is not science 2) ID is not science and 3) ID is not science. I believe ID is science, but I can understand the concern many have about it being taught in science classrooms, so I would like to propose a compromise. How about we simply “have the courage to recognise that we know nothing of the mechanism” of evolution, and leave it at that? Each student can decide for himself/herself what the most likely explanation might be.

*see my comment #30 for clarification of this claim

Comments
Larry Moran: What a classless response on your webpage. Name-calling and insults are not arguments, and really do diminish your credibility as a critic. But so much the better for ID as a popular movement, I guess. With enemies like Larry, PZ Myers and Richard Dawkins, you don't need so many friends. - Russ Riedigerruss
December 16, 2007
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*Reads Larry's response...groans.* Which brings up another tactic: referring to uncontroversial trivial examples and subject matter already well known by ID proponents.Patrick
December 16, 2007
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Another tactic of evolutionists, besides the ID is not science mantra, Is when they are confronted with overwhelming evidence for Intelligent Design, they resort to their imagination.bornagain77
December 16, 2007
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I would be thrilled if, in schools, students were taught that when it comes right down to it, we just don't know. We don't know why the fossil record looks the way it does. We don't know how molecular machines got into cells. We don't know where new biological information comes from. We don't know what consciousness is. ID would not need to be mentioned as long as darwinism was not taught as a "fact". Of course, this will never never never happen in our current state of "secularism". Darwin is the only reason to even consider atheism as being plausible. Darwin will remain no matter what evidence is brought against it. It's political now.shaner74
December 16, 2007
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Glad to help out. I've posted brief explanations of the two main scientific mechanisms of evolution at Granville Sewell Needs My Help". Hope this helps.Larry Moran
December 16, 2007
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That would be an improvement, ie. better science. But better still would be an accurate description of the history of life, which would include include ID.Peter
December 16, 2007
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