An Atheist Defends Intelligent Design
Written by: Bradley Monton
Publication Date: July 31, 2009 180pp • Paperback
ISBN: 9781551118635 / 1551118637
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The doctrine of intelligent design is often the subject of acrimonious debate. Seeking God in Science cuts through the rhetoric that distorts the debates between religious and secular camps. Bradley Monton, a philosopher of science and an atheist, carefully considers the arguments for intelligent design and argues that intelligent design deserves serious consideration as a scientific theory.
Monton also gives a lucid account of the debate surrounding the inclusion of intelligent design in public schools and presents reason why students' science education could benefit from a careful consideration of the arguments for and against it.
Comments:
"Seeking God in Science is a refreshing and fair-minded exploration of intelligent design arguments. Unlike the many ideologically-driven detractors of intelligent design, Monton refuses to set up a straw man, poison the well, or dismiss it as unscientific. Bradley Monton writes as "a friendly atheist"—one who seriously and honestly considers claims that challenge atheism. As such, this book is a welcome breakthrough."– Douglas Groothuis, Professor of Philosophy, Denver Seminary
"This is a brave and important book. Monton does not defend 'intelligent design' as true – he thinks it is most likely false. Instead, he defends it as a hypothesis worth taking seriously. He argues convincingly that it can be formulated as a scientifically testable hypothesis, and that there is some important empirical evidence for it – not as much evidence as its supporters claim there is, but some evidence. Virtually all voices in this debate insist either that ID is not even worth taking seriously or else that it is manifestly the truth. It is refreshing to see a talented philosopher give the thesis its due and make a serious attempt to weigh the evidence for and against it, without the weight of the ‘culture wars' hanging over every sentence." – John T. Roberts, Associate Professor of Philosophy, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
"It's about time that a competent analytic philosopher took a look at design-theoretic arguments in the sciences – and this because analytic philosophers have until now responded to serious challenges to prevailing orthodoxy by squirting out ink and indignation in equal measure. Bradley Monton's book should be read by philosophers, biologists and physicists willing to keep their minds open long enough to let out the stale air and let in a few arguments." – David Berlinski, Senior Fellow, Discovery Institute, Center for Science and Culture
"Bradley Monton has done the intellectual community an enormous service in writing this defense of intelligent design. As an atheist, he defends ID not because he thinks it is true. Rather, he shows how it raises important questions and how many critics, in their enthusiasm to kill the baby in the cradle, are short-circuiting a discussion that needs to happen. Monton understands that important questions are never resolved by ignoring or marginalizing them. By employing his considerable skills as an analytic philosopher, he brings clarity to this much controverted question of intelligent design." – William A. Dembski, author of The End of Christianity
Bradley Monton is Associate Professor of Philosophy at the University of Colorado, Boulder.
Table of Contents: [Back to Top]
Chapter 1: What Is Intelligent Design, and Why Might an Atheist Believe In It?
Chapter 2: Why It Is Legitimate to Treat Intelligent Design as Science
Chapter 3: Some Somewhat Plausible Intelligent Design Arguments
Chapter 4: Should Intelligent Design Be Taught in School?
