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Title: Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution
ISBN: 0743290313
Author:
Michael J. Behe
Publicate Date: 2006-03-07
Publish: 2006-03-07
List Price: $15.00
Average Customer Rating: 3.5
Format: Paperback
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Amazon Lowest New Price: $7.97
Amazon Lowest Used Price: $8.50
Amazon Merchant Price: $10.20
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| Customer Review: |
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1: Well written - read it for yourself
Very well written book. Despite the impression that some reviews give, the book is quite logical in its approach. There are some very in depth descriptions of cellular mechanics and certain biological functions (such as blood clotting). But the author sets these difficult passages apart from the main text, providing a simpler overview, and a more in-depth analysis for science-minded folks who like to know the finer details. Not for causal reading, but certainly an excellent read to stimulate those synapses.
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2: Why buy a book about something the author now admits is wrong?
In the Kitzmiller v. Dover decision the Court noted that "Professor Behe admitted in "Reply to My Critics" that there was a defect in his view of irreducible complexity because, while it purports to be a challenge to natural selection, it does not actually address "the task facing natural selection."" [and] "Professor Behe specifically explained that "[t]he current definition [of irreducible complexity] puts the focus on removing a part from an already functioning system," but "[t]he difficult task facing Darwinian evolution, however, would not be to remove parts from sophisticated pre-existing systems; it would be to bring together components to make a new system in the first place." Id. In that article, Professor Behe wrote that he hoped to "repair this defect in future work;" however, he has failed to do so even four years after elucidating his defect."
In other words, the only thing that Irreducible Complexity proved was to be wrong.
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3: Darwin's fantasy.
Excellent book. Not for the faint of heart and has some very technical reading. As I continue my research of creationism vs. evolution it's incredible how our schools continue to teach the wrong history with the mountains of obvious evidence against evolution and the non-existent evidence supporting evolution. A great read!
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4: Its too bad religion has to muck up science and mislead us
Michael Beehee's work has been discredited too many times to count ranging from a lack of participating in the scientific peer review process or in court cases (see Dover, PA.). This book has more bogus science for those who prefer faith over evidence.
Thanks Mike, we all love being mislead...
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5: Of historical interest; Serves an agenda
The book is not without merit, especially as a historical record of a stage in the retreat of religion from the field of scientific investigation. It has to be said that it is not science, in the respect that it serves to promote a pre-existing agenda rather than representing a search for some truth. It also has to be said that it has been superseded, since it presents an argument that a series of structures cannot be reduced to simpler precursors and in many cases the precursors have now been described as they exist in nature. It has further to be said that it presents interesting descriptions of the allegedly irreducible structures and that one ought to read it to understand the place and failure of "intelligent design" in the alleged controversy over evolution in the USA.
To be read critically, in other words, and not as if it were real science. It argues from an assertion of irreducibility which is not true to a conclusion of design which the author started with, and which does not actually qualify as an explanation, so it qualifies neither as science, nor as properly-conducted philosophy, nor even as particularly inspiring theology. It could convince the unwary non-technical reader, however, so have a care.
As you will note by a glance at the distribution of stars, one tends to fall on one side or the other based on one's agreement with the book's premise.
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