Previously, I blogged an entry entitled, Will the REAL Evolution Debate Please Stand Up. It was about the different levels of debates happening within the evolutionary spectrum – all the scientific and spiritual
theories about evolution and everything in between.
A few months ago I followed up with a blog about the Renaissance of the Theory of Evolution in which a group called Altenberg 16 were poised to gather to discuss an "extended evolutionary synthesis."
And now there’s an e-book about it: The Altenberg 16: Will the Real Theory of Evolution Please Stand Up? — An Exposé of the Evolution Industry – by Suzan Mazur. The title alone is already a compelling read. (Thanks to Uncommon Descent for the heads up.)
Here’s an excerpt from the Introduction.
"No one knows how life began, but so-called theories of evolution are continually being announced. This book, The Altenberg 16: Will the Real Theory of Evolution Please Stand Up? exposes the rivalry in science today surrounding attempts to discover that elusive mechanism of evolution, as rethinking evolution is pushed to the political front burner in hopes that "survival of the fittest" ideology can be replaced with a more humane explanation for our existence and stave off further wars, economic crises and destruction of the Earth.
"Evolutionary science is as much about the posturing, salesmanship, stonewalling and bullying that goes on as it is about actual scientific theory. It is a social discourse involving hypotheses of staggering complexity with scientists, recipients of the biggest grants of any intellectuals, assuming the power of politicians while engaged in Animal House pie-throwing and name-calling: "ham-fisted", "looney Marxist hangover", "secular creationist", "philosopher" (a scientist who can’t get grants anymore), "quack", "crackpot". . .
"In short, it’s a modern day quest for the holy grail, but with few knights. At a time that calls for scientific vision, scientific inquiry’s been hijacked by an industry of greed, with evolution books hyped like snake oil at a carnival.
"Perhaps the most egregious display of commercial dishonesty is next year’s celebration of Charles Darwin’s Origin of Species – the so-called theory of evolution by natural selection, i.e., survival of the fittest, that was foisted on us almost 150 years ago.
"Scientists agree that natural selection can occur. But the scientific community has known for some time that natural selection has nothing to do with evolution. It also knows that self-organization is real, that is, matter can form without a genetic recipe – like the snowflake (non-living). It does this without external guidance." [read more]
Interesting. So will this e-book serve as a vindication for Intelligent Design proponents to push through with their agenda? Will it support Wilber’s critique of Neo-Darwinian evolution? How would Richard Dawkins, Daniel Dennett, and the Neo-Darwinian evolutionists react to this? (UPDATE: Here’s PZ Myers’ reaction to the Altenberg 16) What would be its implication on evolutionary spirituality in general, and Integralists in particular?
I haven’t read the entire e-book yet so I’ll hold off on my layman’s commentary. But for those who consider themselves well-informed on evolutionary theory, I’d like to hear what you think about The Altenberg 16. Feel free to post your thoughts on the comment section.
UPDATE (07/19/2008): Altenberg 16 is over via Pharyngula.
Comment (1)
This got my attention: “(Thanks to Uncommon Descent for the heads up.)”
I can’t imagine anyone as hopelessly stupid as the people who own Uncommon Descent. They believe in intelligent design creationism also known as the sky-fairy-did-it theory.
I appreciate your link to PZ’s blog. He didn’t think the Altenberg meeting is a big deal and neither do I.