How Blind is the Watchmaker?

'This is a timely book by a modern biologist, thoroughly at home with evolution, and with traditional theology too. Beautifully written, with up-to-date examples, it is a powerful challenge to claims that the life sciences spell materialism. Students and lay-people should read it, and anyone worried about a planless world, dancing to the music of selfish genes.' John Morton, Emeritus Professor of Zoology, University of Auckland, New Zealand 'The writer's task is done well. I enjoyed reading what Broom had to say and recommend the book to others. Materialists and Christians alike will find much of interest for ongoing discussion.' Science and Christian Belief

Autorentext
Neil Broom

Zusammenfassung

First published in 1998, this book shows that modern materialistic science - for all its ability to analyse in truly impressive detail the workings of the living world - remains powerless to explain the phenomenon of life itself. Drawing on a variety of examples from experience of the biological world as a practising scientist, the author shows that the qualities of purpose, intentionality and mind suffuse almost every aspect of the living realm, yet these same qualities remain totally unaccounted for by science itself. The author argues that the all too common humanistic dismissal of these crucial components of reality undermines the integrity of science itself and is intellectually perverse. He argues that scientific materialism, despite its enormous influence in shaping today's high-tech world, actually presents a gross trivialization of the concept of life. Further, while unable of itself to provide ultimate answers to the mystery of life, this science uncovers facts that point beyond these to a transcendent, theistic dimension - or, in the words of the title - to a Watchmaker who, indeed, is not blind.

Inhalt

1. Birth of an Idea. 2. A New Shape of 'Divinity'. 3. The Business of Science. 4. What is Life? 5. Birth of Life: a Popular View. 6. Serious Science and Life's Origin. 7. 'Trade Secrets' of Origin-of-Life Science. 8. Games of Chance and the Evolution of Life. 9. The Crown Jewel of Mechanistic Science. 10. Neo-Darwinism: its Struggle for Survival. 11. How Natural is Natural Selection? 12. Biology and Destiny. 13. Conclusions.