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Review Summary: Bear with a Bit of Irritation |
Date: 2009-01-02 |
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Details: I recently finished reading Del Ratzsch's book "The Battle of Beginnings", and enjoyed it immensely. So why the irritation on my part referred to in this review's title? The root of my frustration lies in the fact that it would seem this fine and insightful volume on such a major issue of contention in our day has gone scandalously unnoticed! I have done a fair amount of reading and study on the creation-evolution issue, and thus far Ratzsch's treatment of the matter has been the one I regard most highly. It is of excellent overall quality, and is expertly informed. You would never know it, though, by how infrequently I see it referenced in other books on the subject. It appears to be largely a sleeper, and that is a shame.
As the author squarely sets forth in the preface, his aim is not to present the case for his own view on this question, but rather, by means of his particular area of specialty (i.e. the philosophy of science) to clear away the poor (though popular) arguments commonly used and heard, in order that fruitful debate can occur. In this goal I feel he succeeds and even excels. In convincing fashion, Ratzsch demonstrates repeatedly how a dishearteningly large bulk of the clash consists of rather shallow 'sound and fury' - i.e. accusatory jabs based upon unsound assumptions. Even many of the seemingly more reasonable arguments are shown ultimately to fail by means of faulty philosophical presuppositions. For those willing to investigate rather than just insult, TBOB is a breath of fresh air. In all my reading on this subject, I have never seen such a competent application of the philosophy of science brought to bear. I feel it filled a niche, and did so quite admirably. As should be obvious by now, the possibility that such a would-be helpful contribution to the discussion is mostly overlooked bothers me considerably.
Perhaps the reason for its neglect is to be found in its subtitle: "Why Neither Side Is Winning The Creation-Evolution Debate". In other words, it occurred to me as I read that neither 'side' of the divide was likely to be happy with this book. For the secular (atheistic) evolutionists, to even admit there exists an unwon battle is, in their mind, a step toward defeat. Therefore they live in dogmatic denial. On the other hand (and I find the similarity between both extremes revealing), certain 'creationists' will likewise give the book a cool reception because it does not paint a particularly flattering portrait of many leading spokesmen of their movement (I don't mean on a personal level), and critiques many cherished lines of attack. But for those who would come to this issue with a teachable and humble mind, who desire truth and integrity more than a quick fix, TBOB is very instructive. It gets my vote for the most underappreciated book to appear dealing with the creation/evolution controversy.
In summary, THE BATTLE OF BEGINNINGS exposes a wheelbarrow full of fallaciousness - plenty to go around - by means of a closer examination of the true nature and definition of science (more elusive than we may have assumed). I suppose we might've wished for more of a 'solution' (Ratzsch himself admits that "the more accurately one sees the issue, the more difficult is its resolution"), but perhaps cutting away bogus arguments parading as wisdom is a necessary prerequisite, and a good way to begin.
BTW, the "Notes" section at the end contains many imbedded nuggets, and documents the vast scope of scholarly research reflected in this work.
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Review Summary: Winning According to Who? |
Date: 2007-07-30 |
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Details: What arrogance. He speaks for the whole world huh? So no one is becoming a Christian anymore lol? What an absurd book. There are over 100+ million Christians in my religion that Delvin Lee Ratzsch does not speak for. Delvin, these millions didn't come from no where. |
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Review Summary: It's not about the "debate"-- It's about the thinking! |
Date: 2006-06-09 |
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Details: In the years since this excellent volume was published, the political strategies and tactics surrounding the topic have changed, and the subtitle may now communicate something not intended by the author. But make no mistake, Del Ratzch is not trying to insinuate anti-scientific propaganda into the culture when the scientists aren't looking. Ratzch (PhD. from the University of Massachusetts and a philosophy professor at Calvin College) is interested in more important things: how our arrogance and shoddy thinking leads us to mistreat one another, and ultimately endangers the trust upon which all human communities, scientific and Christian included, depend. To deal with this issue, he humbly offers not only critisism of various common mistakes, but also an overview of the historical development and misunderstanding of Darwin's ideas and the ideas of his opponents.
I believe that this book can go a long way towards convincing an entrenched reader to be more willing to submit to the difficult disipline of rational, civil conversation.
From Del Ratzch's conclusion:
"Broad based clarity on the larger issue[s] is going to require that both sides abandon their respective favorite muddles. . . . The two sides may be unable to find a common ground upon which all their differences can be hashed out. But. . . . if various acts were cleaned up, the area of commonality -- or at least of sensible discussability -- probably could be substantially enlarged compared to what it is now. And even if some differences are so foundational that ultimate reconciliation is clearly impossible, that of itself does not justify embracing rationally slipshod cases either for defending the views of one side or for dismissing those of the other side.
"The caricatures, the easy criticims, the propaganda, the familiar commonplaces of the various sides are comfortable--but they have become costly both within and for the Christian Community. So what should we do? On all sides we need to unhitch our egos and do some hard, maybe even painful work. And maybe the various sides should talk. Not debate--talk." |
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Review Summary: What are all these people talking about |
Date: 2004-09-15 |
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Details: I once had a girlfriend that said: "There is no balance; there are choices and consequences". When it comes to belief that is always the case. Evolutionary theory is a scientific pursue that is trying to explain empirical evidence. New approaches to speciation, macro-evolution and the so are more precise, but in any case, it is there to try and explain what we see. Creationism, on the other hand, starts from a set of beliefs, and tries to imprint them on reality by inventing a fictional explanation of life. This is not science, this is religious belief, and therefore there is no debate. A debate can be held between two scientific approaches or between two religious approaches, but not across realms. There is no debate, there is no balanced view. There are choices and consequences. |
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Review Summary: The myth of the creation "debate" |
Date: 2004-07-08 |
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Details: First of all this book does not really add anything to the "debate", worse yet one of it's writers is a theistic evolutioist, an oxymoron in principle and practice if you've ever heard one. Second of all people who disregard logic, reason and critical thinking should not be even given a chance to be heard. The fact is creationists ignore the flaws and outright lies in the book from which they espouse their theory of "creation". This is what makes everyone who's rightfully studied the bible and many religions very mad. It is their willful ignorance in adhering to a book full of lies and myths and that have been demonstrated to be so countless times. Remember any flaw in the bible contradicts the the idea of inerrancy and perfection, not to mention omniscience, if god wrote it he wouldn't make gross blunderous errors about the nature of disease and reality. There is no real "debate". The fact that this book does not recognize it is sickening. Theistic evolution is an oxymoron, theistic evolutionists are basically atheists who don't have the courage to get rid of their psychological addiction to social ritual and the promise of eternal life then at the same time rejecting the bible, especially the first two chapters of genesis as "symbolic" read: Divine myth. There is no such thing as a god inspired mythological truth, you mind as well believe in allah or the hindu gods because their is no objective standard to measure 'divinity' or test mythological claims as to the veracity of their origin. In short anyone who claims to be christian and is not a young earther is living in fantasy world created by reading into the bible their own modern ideas. Next,unless you believe demons cause disease, (see: Mathew chapter 8:30-34) where jesus excorcises demons into pigs and the pigs die. You have a severe problem here Jesus pretended to excorcise them therefore sinning and disqualifying him as being "God in the flesh" or even an honest man through bearing false witness and propogating ignorance, that is, promoting the backward and incorrect idea that demons cause disease. The only reason the "debate" carries on is because people refuse to accept that the bible is a mythological work written by men and who's writings are not divine in origin. Unfortunately we have to wait out their ignorance until they die and teach the younger children and make them immune from such backward ideas and uncritical thinking performed by their equally ignorant and backward parents. |
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out of 30 Reviews
