looking for good books

I liked Futuyma's "Science on Trial," and another excellent entry-level (enough for my entry, let it be said) book is Philip Kitcher's "Abusing Science." It's allegedly out of print, but I had no trouble finding it at the library. That's where we used to get books before there was Amazon, you young 'uns.The Strahler book is a mind-bogglingly comprehensive reference work containing all the down-and-dirty science details, and works well as a doorstop too.My personal favorite book that deals directly with the Creationist debate is Robert Pennock's amazing "Tower of Babel." Pennock is a philosopher of science at the U. of Michigan who concentrates on the philosophical issues concerning methodological naturalism and what can and can't be considered science. He shines a mercilessly harsh light on Intelligent Design, and anyone who's read Pennock's anti-ID articles online understands what quick work his philosophical scalpel can make of the already wormy corpse of the Argument from Design.Pennock takes his time, and "Tower" might be rough going for anyone just interested in a quickie fundie-refutation manual. If you're past that stage, it's an astounding mental workout.

I absolutely agree. Depending on my mood, I can take a mild to extreme agnostic stance on metaphysics. My opinion is that science cannot prove the existence of a Higher Power, and the line cuts both ways: it leaves the question to the theologians and philosophers. My issue is not with the faith of Creationists but the way they abuse science.My recommendation of 'Tower of Babel' follows this logic. Pennock himself is a believer, but his understanding of the methodological constraints of science means he's not looking for God in a microscope. He sees Creationism as exploiting the void that only people's faith can fill.

Defender,You're not obliged to read anything that we recommend. If you're convinced by the creationist literature and feel that all the scientific refutations have been successfully answered by creationists, so be it.Most of the evolutionists here have read plenty of creationist literature, and names like Ham and Sarfati are not new to us. Their work has been criticized by various commentators as scientifically amateurish, misleading, and intended only to produce a fantasy of a vast but imaginary materialist conspiracy. The proponents of Intelligent Design Creationism are similarly keen on trying to convince the unwary of an immense scientific cover-up.So if all of the authors whose works we have recommended are part of this sinister conspiracy, by all means avoid their ideas. But let it be known that most of us are well versed in the creationist literature and we have honestly found it lacking.------------------
The bear thought his son could talk in space about the time matter has to rotate but twisted heaven instead.
-Brad McFall[This message has been edited by MrHambre, 10-20-2003]

Defender,You may not believe me, but many of us have read creationist literature already. We did it out of curiosity and a willingness to encounter creationist ideas firsthand. If you'd like to do the same and read a book written from an evolutionist perspective, good for you. However, you make it seem like you're so loathe to expose yourself to these ideas that you'll only do it as part of a philosophical plea bargain. And it doesn't surprise me.------------------
The bear thought his son could talk in space about the time matter has to rotate but twisted heaven instead.
-Brad McFall