Explore Evolution: The Arguments For and Against Neo-Darwinism

The purpose of Explore Evolution is to examine the scientific controversy about Darwins theory and in particular the contemporary version of the theory known as neo-Darwinism. Whether you are a teacher a student or a parent this book will help you understand what Darwins theory of evolution is why many scientists find it persuasive and why other scientists question the theory or some key aspects of it. Sometimes scientists find that the same evidence can be explained in more than one way. When there are competing theories reasonable people can (and do) disagree about which theory best explains the evidence. Furthermore in the historical sciences neither side can directly verify its claims about past events. Fortunately even though we cant directly verify these claims we can test them. How? First we gather as much evidence as possible and look at it carefully. Then we compare the competing theories in light of how well they explain the evidence. Looking at the evidence and comparing the competing explanations will provide the most reliable path to discovering which theory if any gives the best account of the evidence at hand. In science it is ultimately the evidence-and all of the evidence-that should tell us which theory offers the best explanation. This book will help you explore that evidence and we hope it will stimulate your interest in these questions as you weigh the competing arguments.