Shattering the Myths of Darwinism

by Richard Milton

Book Overview

Compelling evidence that the most important assumptions on which Darwinism rests are scientifically wrong. The controversial best-seller that sent Oxford University and Nature magazine into a frenzy.... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0892817321
• ISBN13: 9780892817320
• Release Date: January 1997
• Publisher: Inner Traditions International
• Length: 308 Pages
• Weight: 1.58 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.3"

Customer Reviews

Extremely refreshing, honest and non emotional presentation of research

Personally I found the book, "Shattering the Myths of Darwinism" by Richard Milton to be extremely refreshing, profound, enlightening, totally honest, free of emotion and cuts through dogmatism of both polarized positions (neo Darwinists and so called "Scientific Creationists") I found Richard Milton's book to be very honest and intelligent without the vilification and arrogance often found by some credentialed authors. The honest enquirer looking for truth loses out by not reading this book.

You know...

I think that it should be a requirement to actually READ the book that your review is about, not just to parrot what the neo-Darwinist faith tells you that you must say about a book. Because this book is aimed at disputing much of what is treated as fact by neo-Darwinists despite their not actually haven proven any of it, I can see why it would get its share of criticism. But to describe this book as being written for the average layperson when parts of it are so technical that I had to struggle to grasp what was being said (this being said by a woman who qualifies for Mensa membership)... This is clearly written by someone who has not read the book. The basic premise of the book is that much of what is being taught to our children regarding the origins of life and how species develop is simply untrue. As a recent college student, I can verify that this is still what is being taught, even though biologists and others have reason to doubt that it is, in fact, accurate information. As Richard Milton observes, Darwinism/neo-Darwinism is as much a matter of faith as Christianity or Buddhism. It has not been conclusively proven thus far, but scientists are treating it as truth and no longer searching for answers. He attacks neo-Darwinism on the basis that its proponents either ignore the evidence that doesn't fit or go to extraordinary lengths to *make* it fit. He seems to believe that science is suffering for having decided that Darwin was completely correct and, instead of evaluating new evidence as it comes to light, eschewing those who have any evidence that we might not have the total answer just yet. If you don't subscribe to the Darwinist faith, that seems to disqualify any credibility you might have on the subject of science. Milton thinks that is leading science to overlook important evidence that might one day point us toward the truth. Milton is not a creationist. "I am not a creationist and do not hold an religious convictions. I can find no scientific or logical reason to believe or disbelieve in a creator and I remain open-minded on the question" (p 233). He lists his reason for writing the book as being "to sound a cautionary note about the extent to which ideological Darwinism has replaces scientific Darwinism in our educational system. My message is that the world is full of people who want you to believe in their 'ism'--Darwinism, Marxism, Freudianism, and the rest. Don't accept anything they say unless they can substantiate it with scientific evidence, however persuasive their arguments" (p 235-6).

Excellent unanswered questions about Darwinism

I read this book borrowed from the library about a year ago. Now I am going to buy my own copy, because I have so much trouble remembering all the details he gave from his research when speaking to others. I liked the book because the author does not have an ax to grind. He is a journalist who simply questions the unquestioning devotion of today's 'scientists' to a theory promoted in the nineteenth century based on almost no physical evidence and a lot of conjecture. He documents much of his understanding about evolution from Darwin's own words, as well as from the major promoters of our day.Then he proceeds to question many of the most basic beliefs. He rightly points out that Darwinism cannot be proven any more than one can prove the existence of God. The timeframes required for observation preclude empirical proof. The theory is framed more as articles of faith, logical conclusions from deductive reasoning, not as experimental data revealed by following the 'scientific' method of hypothesis and experimentation in searching for truth. This 'house of cards' is the basic weakness in the whole theory, and the reason for continuing criticism of it from all quarters. If it were obviously true there would be no controversy. The main point of the book is that those who believe in evolution (Darwinism) do so almost without question, not as scientists. They also seem to respond with the attitude of Shakespeare's Prospero in Winter's Tale, i.e. "they protest too much". Why, if people are committed to scientific pursuit of truth do they refuse to answer honest questions of logic and evidence?I found the book eye-opening and completely logical. I now share his questions, and have yet to find answers to them, other than name-calling and dismissal. They are honest questions. Until the scientific community can answer them with facts, I have decided evolution and Darwinism are really just a fantasy made up to ensure Darwin's place in the scientific community. The emperor has no clothes. And the scientists are too afraid to admit to it, because they will lose their livelihood.

The evolution debate continues...

Based on the one star reviews of this book I expected a "creationist rehash." As a biologist trained in animal behavor I read nothing of the kind. Milton's arguments are clear and well argued; he is at his best at demonstrating the circular and nonexplanatory arguments used to keep neo-Darwinian "theory" viable. A previous negative review tells the reader to go and read a book on Darwin's finches--Milton devotes a full chapter to the arguments for "speciation" taken from the finch research. The finches of the different islands mate with one another and are not geograpically isolated from one another--while their beaks may differ in size and shape the finches are no more separate species than a poodle is a separate species from a bull dog. Variation within a species does not prove neo-Darwinism as "the origin of the species." To the potential reader and Mr. Milton (if he reads these reviews), I would urge a review of the most recent research of Hall on the specificity of adaptive mutagenesis and a reading of Ted Steels's new book "Lamarck's Signature" on retrogenes. Both lines of research are mentioned briefly by Milton--I believe a third edition incorporating these new theories and findings is needed. Milton looks like a young man--I hope he keeps up the search for truth in evolutionary biology gives us a new edition of this important work.

Is Evolutionary Theory built on the sand?

At last, there is a readable account which looks at the reality of the facts underpinning Darwinism. This book is written by a non-Christian, non-Creationist science writer concerned that scientists have forgotten the philosophical basis of their art and made a theory an article of faith. Unfortunately, in failing to recognize the potential weaknesses of evolutionary theory, biologists are closing the door to new knowledge. (If classical physics had had such a fanatical following, would Einstein have come to prominence?) If you would like another reason to read this book, take one from Richard Dawkins of Oxford University: His review of "The Facts of Life" printed at the beginning of the book convinced me that it was worth reading. He resorted to ridicule and personal attack, but never (in a reasonably lengthy article) did he begin to refute the actual evidence reported in the book. If an eminent practitioner cannot use the tools of his trade to support the basis of his convictions it certainly raises questions about their quality. If you are an interested scientist or layman disturbed by evolutionary blind faith - read this book.