Creatures of Accident

The Rise of the Animal Kingdom

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Biological Sciences, Evolution
Cover of the book Creatures of Accident by Wallace Arthur, Farrar, Straus and Giroux
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Wallace Arthur ISBN: 9781466801790
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux Publication: September 4, 2007
Imprint: Hill and Wang Language: English
Author: Wallace Arthur
ISBN: 9781466801790
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication: September 4, 2007
Imprint: Hill and Wang
Language: English

The most important aspect of evolution, from a philosophical viewpoint, is the rise of complex, advanced creatures from simple, primitive ones. This "vertical" dimension of evolution has been downplayed in both the specialist and popular literature on evolution, in large part because it was in the past associated with unsavory political views. The avoidance of evolution's vertical dimension has, however, left evolutionary biology open to the perception, from outside, that it deals merely with the diversification of rather similar creatures, all at the same level of "advancedness" from a common ancestor—for example, the classic case studies of finches with different beaks or moths of different colors.

The latest incarnation of creationism, dubbed intelligent design (or ID), has taken advantage of this situation. It portrays an evolutionary process that is constantly guided—especially in its upward direction—by the hand of an unseen Creator, who is able to ensure that it ends up producing humans. Creatures of Accident attacks the antiscience ID worldview, mainly by building a persuasive picture of how "unaided" evolution produces advanced creatures from simple ones by an essentially accidental process. Having built this picture, in the final chapter the book reflects on its religious implications.

View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The most important aspect of evolution, from a philosophical viewpoint, is the rise of complex, advanced creatures from simple, primitive ones. This "vertical" dimension of evolution has been downplayed in both the specialist and popular literature on evolution, in large part because it was in the past associated with unsavory political views. The avoidance of evolution's vertical dimension has, however, left evolutionary biology open to the perception, from outside, that it deals merely with the diversification of rather similar creatures, all at the same level of "advancedness" from a common ancestor—for example, the classic case studies of finches with different beaks or moths of different colors.

The latest incarnation of creationism, dubbed intelligent design (or ID), has taken advantage of this situation. It portrays an evolutionary process that is constantly guided—especially in its upward direction—by the hand of an unseen Creator, who is able to ensure that it ends up producing humans. Creatures of Accident attacks the antiscience ID worldview, mainly by building a persuasive picture of how "unaided" evolution produces advanced creatures from simple ones by an essentially accidental process. Having built this picture, in the final chapter the book reflects on its religious implications.

More books from Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Cover of the book Smilla's Sense of Snow by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Why Italians Love to Talk About Food by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Moving the Chains by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Forward Me Back to You by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Hollywood Gothic by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book No Wall Too High by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Heal Thyself by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book A Long Day at the End of the World by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Second Impact by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Three Plays by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book The Key That Swallowed Joey Pigza by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book This Is My Home, This Is My School by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book Human Capital by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book The Empress of Weehawken by Wallace Arthur
Cover of the book The Last Kid Left by Wallace Arthur
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy