Professor Kerkut: "Do you think Evolutionary Theory is the best explanation
yet advanced to explain animal interrelationships?"
Student: "Why of course, sir, there is nothing else except for the religious
explanation held by some fundamentalist Christians, and I gather, sir that
these views are no longer held by the more up-to-date Churchmen!"
Prof: "So, you believe in evolution because there is no other theory?"
Student: "Oh, no, sir, I believe in it because of the evidence I just
mentioned [natural selection]"
P: "Have you read any book on the evidence for Evolution?"
S: "Yes, sir. (mentions a popular school textbook), and of course, sir there
is that book by Darwin, The Origin of Species"
P: "Have you read the book?"
S: "Well. not all through, sir"
P: "About how much?"
S: "The first part, sir"
P: "The first fifty pages?"
S: "Yes, sir, about that much; maybe a bit less"
P: "I see, and has that given you your firm understanding of Evolution?"
S: "Yes, sir"
P: "Well, now, if you really understand an argument you will be able to
indicate to me not only the points in favor of the argument, but also the
most telling points against it"
S: "Yes, sir"
P: "Good. Please tell me, then, some of the evidences against the theory of
Evolution."
S: "Against what, sir?"
P: "The theory of evolution."
S: "But there aren't any, sir"
[...]
I would then suggest that the student should go away and read the evidence
for and against Evolution and present it as an essay. A week would pass and
the same student would appear armed with an essay on the evidence for
Evolution. The essay would usually be well done, since the student might
have realized that I would be tough to convince. When the essay had been
read and the question concerning the evidence against Evolution came up, the
student would give a rather pained smile. "Well, sir, I looked up various
books but could not find anything in the scientific books against Evolution.
I did not think you would want a religious argument." "No, you were quite
correct. I want a scientific argument against evolution." "Well, sir,
there does not seem to be one and that in itself is a piece of evidence in
favor of the Evolutionary Theory."
(G. A. Kerkut. Implications of Evolution. Pergamon Press, London. p 4,5)
Art
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