Book Reviews - December 2007 - Volume 107 (8)

The Evolution Dialogues: Science, Christianity, and The Quest For Understanding

Author: Catherine Baker
American Association for the Advancement of Science, 1200 New York Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20005
2006; 208 Pages; Paperback, Single copies $9.85, AAAS Members $7.95, Ten or More copies $5.00 each

Reviewer: Dr. Daniel J. Schneck
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061-0219

It is very brave for AAAS to have published a monograph on so sensitive and often controversial a topic as the Theory of Evolution, and I commend them for the effort. The book does not profess to be definitive, or to have all of the answers, but recognizes the need for insightful dialogue to “talk about what we have in common,” and, “where we disagree, keep talking.” In the Prologue of the book, we are introduced to Angela Rawlett, a farm-raised college freshman majoring in Biology en route to becoming a veterinarian. She finds herself torn between her religious faith and her chosen career path as a scientist, especially as it relates to the Theory of Evolution vs. the Christian view of Creation (the book clearly emphasizes that it deals primarily with the American, Christian perspective, which I consider to be one of its weaknesses).

Angela's experiences weave cleverly through the book as she constantly interacts with and seeks advice and direction from both her academic faculty advisor, the “scientist,” Biology Professor Dr. Laurel Dunbar, and her “religious mentor,” the Reverend Dr. Phil Compton of the Campus Ministry. Such interactions lead to a sequence of 8 Chapters that deal with 18th and 19th Century fossil-remains discoveries, and other developments that ultimately resulted in Darwin's 1859 Origin Of Species (Chapters 1 and 2); a well-written treatise on The Theory of Evolution (Chapter 3); for comparative purposes, a brief discussion of some Judaic, Islamic, and Buddhist reactions to Darwin's Theory (Chapter 4); a very informative and well-developed treatise on the scientific method, in general, and, specifically, how it has been applied in developing Evolution Theory (Chapter 5); Christian World Views (Chapter 6); and Contemporary considerations (Chapters 7 and 8). Each Chapter cites but a very few selected references (which is another weakness of the book), and the monograph concludes with an Epilogue (“Advancing beyond dialogue”), Endnotes, a Glossary of terminology highlighted in blue throughout the text, an interesting Appendix that endeavors to put evolutionary time in proper perspective, and an Index. It is nicely layed-out on high-quality, glossy paper and amply illustrated throughout with beautiful photographs (both color and black-and-white) and diagrams.

Ostensibly, the four odd Chapters presumably present the scientifically-based, Evolution approach, and the four even Chapters present the religion-based, Biblical approach. However, I found considerable overlap among the Chapters - not only in actual content, but also in sometimes-disturbing repetition of points already made (better editing would have helped here) and - it soon becomes rather obvious that the book really to “make the case” for Evolution. Clearly, religious points of view are presented more for informative purposes, and as a way of alerting the reader to historical dissension and current concerns, rather than as bona fide alternative explanations worthy of further dialogue. This seemed to me to be in direct conflict with the stated intent of the book, which I felt was a bit misleading and unfair. While presenting a plethora of evidence in support of the Theory of Evolution, these “Dialogues” merely give lip service to the idea that there might, perhaps, be a plausible alternative explanation - not necessarily religious, either! I admit ... and the book points out (“Evolution provides the most consistent explanation for many known facts”) ... that no theories have yet emerged to rival Evolution ... but the book goes on to clearly infer that none ever will ... and that bothers me.

In my opinion, Chapter 5 (“The Science Behind Evolution”) should have been Chapter 1 - because it makes what I believe to be the point of these dialogues: Science neither can, nor should it answer philosophical or religious questions, and vice versa. The author points out that intention cannot be revealed or deduced through the scientific method, nor is it the only way of knowing! Its purposes (“to seek a better understanding of the natural world”) are served just as effectively as are those served by Faith (which seeks meaning and purpose through spiritual fulfillment), so the two should be accepted as such and respected accordingly, within the context of those human needs that each endeavors to satisfy. In my opinion, when Anna, in Rodgers and Hammerstein's The King And I, tells the King, “The Bible was not written by men of Science, but by men of Faith,” she has hit the distinction right-on! Faith does not rely on physical evidence. With this premise understood right-up-front, as a basis for discussion, one can then read the other Chapters of the book in proper perspective, and they would make much more sense.

I give this book high marks - and recommend it to science and/or mathematics teachers - for being basically well-written and pleasing to the eye, and for providing the reader with a solid foundation in the Theory of Evolution, the Scientific Method, Christian/Religious dogma, and historical perspectives. I give it low marks for its limitations, including: its failure to satisfactorily address its stated objectives, maintain a level playing field in presenting alternative points of view (after all, there are several flaws and constraints on the Theory of Evolution as it is currently formulated), an effort to avoid overlap and duplication from Chapter-to-Chapter (e.g., by the end of the book, I was tired of being constantly reminded of Darwin's birth-and-death dates and when he wrote Origin), the authors' decision to concentrate strictly on the narrow, American, Christian point of view, and a paucity of references. Indeed, if one is going to seriously pursue “Dialogues” (as opposed to “dual monologues”) on The Theory of Evolution, one should approach those dialogues from an open-minded, multi-dimensional perspective which yields insights that can lead to stimulating discussion in our never-ending search for truth through the scientific method and, as appropriate, faith.