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Rating: 
Summary: Book should be read before being reviewed...
Review: A previous reviewer mused:"this book makes no sense, and cannot answer the fundamental logical inconsistency of the creationist argument. if coherence in structure in design presupposes a creator, who then created the structure of this creator? there then must have been a higher upper creator, who in turn must have had a creator, ad infinitum. if you are a creationist you will love this book, otherwise it is a waste of time." Evidently, the book was not read. Dr. Dembski (editor) and the contributing works detail and critique the logical and structrual evidence of design and information extant in the universe. The response of the "reviewer" quoted above expresses [a] that the book was not read, else why not address at least *some* of its content (or essential thesis), and [b] he or she was simply expressing their ignorance of the issues and of basic theology. Modern science is in essential agreement that the universe has not always existed--it had a *beginning*, even time itself is said to have come "into being" at some specific point in the past. Theology does not argue that God--the "Intelligent Designer"--merely preceded the universe, but that the Intelligent Designer is transcendent to it and is eternal. As such, his question is a non sequitor; it is illogical and pointless to ask, "who made this eternal uncreated intelligent being?" An eternal, uncreated designer does not have a beginning or a creator. The "reviewer" is confused and confusing the categories of a infinite necessary being and a finite contigent being. This is a very low level, hack objection, but, sadly, we do still hear it from time to time. Now, if the argument of theism were that the Intelligent Designer merely preceeded the universe, then there would be legitimate complaint--but no such thesis is postulated by theism. So, we do have, by concensus of empirical science, a universe that did not always exist and came into existence sometime in the finite past. Theism postulates a transcendent, eternal intelligent Being that has always existed--indeed, that even created time itself and exists outside of the space-time universe. Read the book for yourself. And if you want to understand basic issues of theism, get a good systematic theology.
Rating: 
Summary: pseudo science
Review: Evolutionary selection effects on populations have been observed countless times under laboratory conditions. "Intelligent design" theory is pseudo-science concocted by persons either unwilling or afraid to confront reality.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: I can't believe the amount of information that is packed into this book. Every chapter is a mine of diamonds. For instance, Jonathan Wells amazes me with his breadth of knowledge, logic and intuition. In chapter nine, "Making Sense of Biology: The Evidence for Development by Design," he makes a compelling case for why DNA is not solely responsible for the control of development. Each cell type, Wells writes, utilizes only a portion of its genetic repertoire, with factors outside of the DNA turning on the appropriate genes. But, he goes on, if development requires that DNA be controlled by factors outside of itself, then DNA does not control development. Well can't give you more information. That is just a taste of a bountiful pot. All the chapters are filled with thought provoking questions and information. A book worth reading.
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Summary: Information vs. Matter
Review: Information and matter are two distinct parameters which must be studied separately.
There has never been an adequate explaination issued in regard as to how 'information' ( i.e. the code built into DNA) became imbedded into DNA.
Matter and information are two distinct disciplines of study. Neo-Darwinism does not explain how information became imbedded into matter.
Rating:
Summary: Information vs. Matter
Review: Information and matter are two distinct parameters which must be studied separately.
There has never been an adequate explaination issued in regard as to how 'information' ( i.e. the code built into DNA) became imbedded into DNA.
Matter and information are two distinct disciplines of study. Neo-Darwinism does not explain how information became imbedded into matter.
Rating:
Summary: Where is the intelligence?
Review: It is nice to see that so many writers still believe in a Newtonian universe. Deterministic, with a Prime Mover. No bothersome questions about the origins of the universe, no need to explore the vastness of space, and a deep distrust of the possibilities contained in each new generation.
But it's ok. Darwin loves you, man.
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Summary: Excellent book confronting the true issues
Review: This book confronts the true issue of the evolution argument: the philosophy. The naysayers who claim that there must be someone who designed a creator are simply uneducated in philosophy. Evolution is Naturalism, repackaged and sold as "science" and absolute truth. Naturalism was the beginning of philosophical ideas until other philosophies replaced it. Now it's back in the mainstream, and those who have never studied philosophy are being taken in by its claims. The contributors each make a solid point about the idea of intelligent design and the problems in pure naturalist philosophy. By reading this book, you can understand the true argument here. It is philosophy, not science, and it should never be displayed as science, because that is incorrect.
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