Product Description

Though the United States is the world leader in science and technology, many of its citizens display a shocking ignorance regarding basic scientific facts. Recent surveys have revealed that only about half of Americans realise that humans have never lived side by side with dinosaurs, and about the same number reject the idea that humans developed from earlier species of animals. This lack of knowledge in the face of overwhelming scientific evidence for evolution springs from a number of negative influences in contemporary society: poor secondary education in some regions of the country, misinformation in the mass media, and deliberate obfuscation by supporters of Creationism and Intelligent Design. In this concise, accessible, 'myth-buster's handbook', educators Cameron M. Smith and Charles Sullivan clearly dispel the ten most common myths about evolution, which continue to mislead average Americans. Using a refreshing, jargon-free style, they set the record straight on claims that evolution is 'just a theory', that Darwinian explanations of life undercut morality, that Intelligent Design is a legitimate alternative to conventional science, that humans come from chimpanzees, and six other popular but erroneous notions. Smith and Sullivan's reader-friendly, solidly researched text will serve as an important tool, both for teachers and laypersons seeking accurate information about evolution.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #322927 in Books
• Published on: 2006-12-26
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: .30" h x 5.30" w x 8.45" l, .52 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 200 pages

From Booklist
Among the many topics that have galvanized the public in recent years, the debate over evolution versus intelligent design has generated an outpouring of heated rhetoric from both sides. Terms such as "missing link," "natural selection," and "survival of the fittest" are glibly bandied about, yet these core ideas are seldom addressed with any degree of accuracy or understanding. In an effort to clarify prevailing misinterpretations and counteract misinformation relayed through the media, from the pulpit, or in the classroom, the authors have identified the 10 most common misconceptions about evolution. From "evolution is just a theory" to "man descended from monkeys," the inaccuracies behind each flawed statement are methodically exposed and carefully refuted, citing and expanding upon legitimate research through detailed annotations. Passionate in their support of evolutionary science, the authors nonetheless adopt a straightforward and ecumenical approach, precisely distilling each hot-button issue to its cogent essence. The result is a meticulously researched and distinctly presented overview of a complex and contentious issue. Carol Haggas
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