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Michael J. Behe, a biochemist at Lehigh University, presents here a scientific argument for the existence of God. Examining the evolutionary theory of the origins of life, he can go part of the way with Darwin--he accepts the idea that species have been differentiated by the mechanism of natural selection from a common ancestor. But he thinks that the essential randomness of this process can explain evolutionary development only at the macro level, not at the micro level of his expertise. Within the biochemistry of living cells, he argues, life is "irreducibly complex." This is the last black box to be opened, the end of the road for science. Faced with complexity at this level, Behe suggests that it can only be the product of "intelligent design."
--This text refers to the
Hardcover
edition.
From Publishers Weekly
Charles Darwin's theory of life's evolution through natural selection and random mutation fails to account for the origin of astonishingly complex biomolecular systems, argues Behe, associate professor of biochemistry at Lehigh University. In this spirited, witty critique of neo-Darwinian thinking, he focuses on five phenomena: blood clotting; cilia, oar-like bundles of fibers; the human immune system; transport of materials within the cell; and the synthesis of nucleotides, building blocks of DNA. In each case, he finds systems that are irreducibly complex?no gradual, step-by-step, Darwinian route led to their creation. As an alternative explanation, Behe infers that complex biochemical systems (i.e., life) were designed by an intelligent agent, whether God, extraterrestrials or a universal force. He notes that Francis Crick, co-discoverer of DNA's double-helix structure, proposed that life began when aliens from another planet sent a rocket ship containing spores to seed Earth. Perhaps Behe's plea for incorporating a "theory of intelligent design" into mainstream biology will spark interest. Illustrated. Translation and U.K. rights: Simon & Schuster.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.
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Most helpful customer reviews
4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Blasphemies the Evolutionary Dogma,
By
This review is from: Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution (Paperback)
It truly amazing the lengths some "scientific" followers of the prophet Darwin will go attack this book. It seems Evolutionary detractors with all their extended courses in substantive Biology, never acquired even a basic understanding in elementary Logic. Merely attacking Behe and Creationists (of Which Behe is not) as Stupid and calling them repeately is a ad Hominem Argument to be rejected by most basic rules of Logic. I look down at number of reviewer who refer Creationists and I.D as drowning in Stupidity over and over again. They then accuse Behe of coming up with his conclusion in advance and twisting the facts to support his conclusion. This argument is used by every side of an issue in virtually every questian puzzling humanity. In the field of Christian Apologetics, Catholics accuse Protestants of "prooftexting the Bible" (Having a Conclusion beforehand, and then searching for texts to support it) and Protestants in turn accuse Catholics of "prooftexting" the writings of the Early Church Fathers. Both sides accuse each other of prooftexting to support a pre-conceived conclusion. What a surprise! The point is both sides of an issue often accuse the other have a preordianed conclusion. The sheer animosity of hard core evolutionists attacks demonstrates what happens to any one blaspheming their Darwinian Dogmas. It reminds of my College Biology Textbook which begins page one with assumption that Evolution is a undeniable fact - no attempt is ever made to prove its scientific truthfulness to reader being indoctrinated. These Biology textbooks usually assumed early on in textbook before the student has adequate knowledge of Biology to form a reasoned judgment. There never is Chaper in a College Biology textbook called "The Case for Evolution" rather Evolution is mentioned only in passing early on without any formal proof. It is assumed but hardly mentioned in a formal way laying before the reader the nature of the evidence. This reader is not a creationist but always questioned the way Biology textbooks in High School and College assumed a lot without proof. Behe gets right to heart of fundamental flaws within Evolution.1. Absolutely No Transition Fossils have been found. 2. Complex Systems Non-Functionalism in early stages are eliminated by operation of Natural Selection. *(ie, Early Organism with Non-Functioning Blood Clotting DIE and do not reproduce sufficiently to survive. 3. The amount of Time necessary for earliest living Cells to evolve from inorganic matter (ie, From Non-Living Goo to the first Living Single Celled Organism) first present on priordial Earth is Mathmatically Impossible according to Mathmiticians who have calculated it. Behe makes people question the underlying assumptions of a "Theory Taught as infalliable Dogma in Public Edcation" and for that he must be silenced by the Scientific inquistion.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
3.0 out of 5 stars
A Formidable Challenge to Evolution,
By
This review is from: Darwin's Black Box: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution (Paperback)
Michael Behe's notion of irreducibly complex systems presents a formidable challenge to evolution by natural selection. Behe discusses several such systems: Bombardier Beetle, cilium, flagellum, blood clotting system and the complement cascade which is involved in immunity, as well as the the molecular structure of cells and their various compartments. His idea is very simple, and he makes it even simpler by his mouse trap example. The mouse trap is an irreducibly complex system wherein the absence of one part results in the dysfunction of the rest of the other parts. So, if Darwin's idea of evolution entails piecemeal development by natural selection, how can it account for irreducibly complex systems? In his book "Living with Darwin", the philosopher of science Philip Kitcher admits that the notion of irreducible complexity is a major challenge to Darwinism and evolution. He unsuccessfully puts forward a counterargument. Darwin, as Behe rightly maintains in his book, based his theory on the gross examination of living organism, but recent advances in molecular biology puts his theory of evolution in a very difficult position.I gave the book three stars just because I thought that it might have been a shorter book. The author spent too much time (Chap 3-7) discussing the different systems. It felt an overkill to me. Those five chapters could have been collapsed into one chapter in which he can briefly disucss those systems. Behe made his thesis very clear just by the example of the mouse trap. However, I didn't have to read those chapters since my background is in the health sciences and I understand the complexity of the different systems he talked about especially the blood clotting and complement systems as well as the cellular production of energy and the cell structure. Still the main thesis is very interesting and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to see how evolution by natural selection could be very plausibly challenged.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Darwin's Black Box.Move Over,Mr.Darwin.,
By William Ritching (Little Current ON P0P 1K0 Canada) - See all my reviews
This review is from: DARWIN'S BLACK BOX: The Biochemical Challenge to Evolution (Hardcover)
Charles Darwin,in his famous book The Origin of The Species,wrote:If it could be demonstrated that any complex organ existed,which could not possibly have been formed by numerous,successive,slight modifications,my theory would absolutely break down. Move over,Mr. Darwin. Michael J Bede presents a solid treatise supporting Intelligent Design,as he explicates persuausively the Biochemical Challenge to evolution. Professor Bede has a gift for making the complicated simple.His evidence of Intelligent Design illustrates how unreassonable it is to believe that life developed through evolution. Illustration 1: The Cilia Illustration 2: The Eye Illustration 3: The Bombardier Beetle Illustration 4: Blood Clotting. DARWIN'S BLACK BOX is a captivating adventure for readers of every age and persuasion.
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