Book Review: Darwin and Design

Author: Michael Ruse
Spiritual Bias: Unknown
Origins Bias: Evolutionist
Rating: Middle of the Road
Level: Basic

Comments: In this book Ruse tells the story of the long relationship between Darwinism and design. He begins by discussing the Grecian origin of the argument from design and by establishing the notion of natural theology as it pertains to Christian church history. Next, Ruse documents the struggle that Darwin had with design as he unveiled his theory on the origin of species by natural selection. This of course was the turning point for the argument from design and is where you find some folks trying to eradicate design from origins. Ruse however, isn't in the ranks of those in the anti-teleogy group like Richard Dawkins, in that he believes that design should play a role in biology. While not a creationist or a supporter of intelligent design, he sees that the biological design metaphor is "appropriate and highly fruitful," and can enhance scientific inquiry. This is because he sees Darwinism as a design-producing process, counter to the claim made by design theorists that design is the exclusive rights of intelligent agency.

He wraps up the book by attempting to establish the success and factuality of Darwinism, while placing a few attacks on intelligent design theory.

The merit of this book is clearly in the historical recounting of the relationship that design has had with respect to Darwinism. In this regard, you will find quality reading. However, the last part of the book where he tries to put Darwinism in the victory circle is less than desirable. As I have stated before many times, it can explain much of biological reality, however, there are questions and doubts regarding its ability to create highly complex systems. And while Darwinists may point to a handful of possible (and often not very detailed) evolutionary reconstructions of complex processes (i.e. Kreb cycle), the vast majority of complex microbiology seems to be beyond Darwinian explanation.

In conclusion, I'd recommend this book for those deeply involved in the universe of origins, but the uninitiated should probably keep looking. There are several other recent books you should read before this one.