Why Do Evolutionary Scientists Dismiss Behe's Ideas on Intelligent Design?

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SUMMARY

The forum discussion centers on Michael Behe's latest book, "The Edge of Evolution," and critiques from evolutionary scientists, particularly Richard Dawkins. Behe, a prominent advocate for Intelligent Design, faces significant backlash from his peers, including a public disclaimer from Lehigh University's biological sciences department distancing itself from his views. Participants express skepticism about Behe's arguments, noting their simplistic and contradictory nature, and highlight the importance of Ken Miller's contributions to the debate. The discussion underscores the ongoing conflict between Intelligent Design proponents and the scientific community.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Intelligent Design and its proponents, specifically Michael Behe.
  • Familiarity with evolutionary biology concepts and terminology.
  • Knowledge of the Dover trial and its implications for the Intelligent Design debate.
  • Awareness of key figures in evolutionary science, such as Richard Dawkins and Ken Miller.
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the arguments presented in "The Edge of Evolution" by Michael Behe.
  • Study Richard Dawkins' critiques of Intelligent Design, particularly in "The God Delusion."
  • Examine the full transcript of the Kitzmiller v. Dover trial available at The TalkOrigins Archive.
  • Explore Ken Miller's contributions to the evolution versus creationism debate.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for evolutionary biologists, educators in the field of science, students studying the evolution-creationism debate, and anyone interested in the ongoing discourse surrounding Intelligent Design.

Moridin
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This Sundays book review is on the newest book by ID proponent Michael Behe called "The Edge of Evolution" and is reviewed by Oxford evolutionary zoologist Richard Dawkins.

Inferior Design

The second is the book of a man who has given up. Trapped along a false path of his own rather unintelligent design, Behe has left himself no escape. Poster boy of creationists everywhere, he has cut himself adrift from the world of real science. And real science, in the shape of his own department of biological sciences at Lehigh University, has publicly disowned him, via a remarkable disclaimer on its Web site: “While we respect Prof. Behe’s right to express his views, they are his alone and are in no way endorsed by the department.

An another note, how odd that Behe didn't think of dogs.
 
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Go Dawkins. Its a shame that Behe couldn't admit he was wrong and perhaps salvage some sort of career, but perhaps this is necessary to finally kill off this current wave of creationist revivalism. Although something tells me its not the last we'll hear.
 
Kurdt said:
Go Dawkins.
Indeed. Dawkins really slapped him silly. Gotta love it!
 
I read [most of] "Darwin's Black Box" and it is well written - so well written I get the impression that a lot of people who liked it couldn't get past how well written it was to actually think about the arguments being made. They were ludicrously, transparently simplistic, and even contradictory.

I didn't realize he was from Lehigh and I'm not sure if knowing of the disclaimer makes that good or bad for the school...

I also didn't realize he testified in the Dover, PA case - though I knew about the judge's b!tch slap!
 
Last edited:
Doc Al said:
Indeed. Dawkins really slapped him silly. Gotta love it!

Ken Miller deserves a lot of credit. He was mentioned in the article.
 

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