Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy
Evolutionary theory addresses the phenomenon of the origin and diversity of plant and animal species that we observe. In recent times, however, it has become a predominant ideology which has gained currency far beyond its original confines. Attempts to un
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Olivier Rieppel
Evolutionary Theory and the Creation Controversy
Dr. Olivier Rieppel Department of Geology The Field Museum 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive Chicago, Illinois 60605-2496 USA [email protected]
ISBN 978-3-642-14895-8 e-ISBN 978-3-642-14896-5 DOI 10.1007/978-3-642-14896-5 Springer Heidelberg Dordrecht London New York # Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2011 This work is subject to copyright. All rights are reserved, whether the whole or part of the material is concerned, specifically the rights of translation, reprinting, reuse of illustrations, recitation, broadcasting, reproduction on microfilm or in any other way, and storage in data banks. Duplication of this publication or parts thereof is permitted only under the provisions of the German Copyright Law of September 9, 1965, in its current version, and permission for use must always be obtained from Springer. Violations are liable to prosecution under the German Copyright Law. The use of general descriptive names, registered names, trademarks, etc. in this publication does not imply, even in the absence of a specific statement, that such names are exempt from the relevant protective laws and regulations and therefore free for general use. Cover design: deblik, Berlin Printed on acid-free paper Springer is part of Springer ScienceþBusiness Media (www.springer.com)
Preface
This book is about the evolution of evolutionary theory against the background of Creationism and Intelligent Design. It looks at evolutionary theory from a historical perspective in an attempt to clarify some very basic issues surrounding evolutionary theory, yet issues that are rooted in the metatheoretical background of this theory. What is the metatheoretical background of a scientific theory? Evolutionary theory has become a highly complex, multifaceted body of thought. Subdisciplines may sometimes appear partially contradictory to the layperson; some require special training for a proper understanding. And yet, evolutionary theory has become a predominant worldview in modern times. Evolutionary theory primarily addresses the problem of the origin of the diversity of plant and animal species that we observe today. In more recent times, however, evolutionary theory has gained currency far beyond its original confines. Attempts to understand the origin of the earth, indeed of the solar system, are now cast in an evolutionary context. And so are attempts to understand the origin and historical development of human culture, civilization, and language; the origin of the powers of human cognition; and even the origin of moral and ethical values guiding and constraining everyday life in human society. Engineering uses computer software to simulate evolutionary processes such as (natural) selection in the attempt to optimize the design of complex mechanical systems such as aircraft. Natural selection theory is put to use in the development of vaccines. Charles Darwin explained the origin of new species through a process of random variation and natural selection. Those varia
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