Darwin's Doubt

By: Stephen C. Meyer

Narrated by: Derek Shetterly

Length: 14 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

When Charles Darwin finished The Origin of Species, he thought that he had explained every clue but one. Though his theory could explain many facts, Darwin knew that there was a significant event in the history of life that his theory did not explain. During this event, the "Cambrian explosion", many animals suddenly appeared in the fossil record without apparent ancestors in earlier layers of rock.

In Darwin's Doubt, Stephen C. Meyer tells the story of the mystery surrounding this explosion of animal life - a mystery that has intensified not only because the expected ancestors of these animals have not been found but because scientists have learned more about what it takes to construct an animal. During the last half century, biologists have come to appreciate the central importance of biological information - stored in DNA and elsewhere in cells - to building animal forms.

Expanding on the compelling case he presented in his last book, Signature in the Cell, Meyer argues that the origin of this information, as well as other mysterious features of the Cambrian event, are best explained by intelligent design rather than purely undirected evolutionary processes.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.

©2013 Stephen C. Meyer (P)2016 HarperCollins Publishers

Very detailed and scientific

Worth the read but it does mire the listener in detail. It might be better to read a physical book.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Intelligently "Design-ates" The Blind Watchmaker an antiquated philosophy.

Having now listened to Dawkins' Blind Watchmaker as well as MEYERS' Signature in the Cell and Darwin's Doubt I am convinced the latter has the more scientifically compelling argument. Very enlightening!

14 of 19 people found this review helpful

What does science really say about evolution

It never ceases to amaze me how people with supposedly scientific minds believe blindly in random mutation evolution. Like any scientific theory it has things it explains and things it does not explain. Like any scientific theory it must constantly be reevaluated in light of new evidence. It seems like our world has changed Darwin's evolution from a scientific theory into a religion of its own. Meyer offers a thought provoking look at the evidence. This is a great book for Christians to equip their children with as they enter Middle school "science" classes. It is a good book for anyone with an open mind on the subject. As Mark Twain is quoted as saying: "It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so."

7 of 10 people found this review helpful

Astonishing

Meyer's comprehensive review of the science and continuing controversy surrounding the Cambrian fauna is fair and thoroughly researched. Then he goes on to discuss several post-Darwinian variations of the standard mutation/selection model that are sometimes used to account for these creatures. His critiques of these newer models along with the standard one are fair and well-thought out. Meyer is a thoughtful, cautious writer and his review of this controversy is profound. Even breathtaking. Notwithstanding the flaming invective and ad-hominim attacks of some of the one star reviewers, the bibliography reveals that many scientists are as openly doubtful of the Darwinian mechanism as Meyer is, though they remain committed to solving the dilemma within a materialistic framework. Meyer discusses these questions in the open and argues for non-material, intelligent causation, as do a number of recent books on fine-tuning and the evident fitness of earth for life. A stunning listen. Steve, your are a clear, careful, fair, respectful, even friendly voice in this debate. Looking forward to more from you. Kudos to the reader, who does a mostly great job with mouthfuls of somewhat technical language. I found him clear and devoid of idiosyncrasies. Just a few troubling pronunciations, but nothing too severe.

5 of 8 people found this review helpful

Solid and compelling

I believe that when this book is read with an objective mindset, it provides a very clear and balanced and thoughtful argument. At the end of it all, I believe it does come down to a basic philosophical worldview. But I can't help but think that the scientific community and it's self righteous power today is mimicking the religious community from centuries past.

5 of 9 people found this review helpful

Compelling Case for Intelligent Design

The narration is excellent. The content is enthralling. 'Darwin's Doubt' undoubtedly builds a rock solid case against neo-Darwinian Evolution and questions the most revered tenets of institutional academia's portrayal of the origin of life. Readers can expect to gain a broad perspective of the questions facing the ongoing evolutionary debate.

5 of 9 people found this review helpful

Resonance aplenty. Bereft of factual value.

This book wasn’t for you, but who do you think might enjoy it more?

Creationists and ID sympathizers who want to think their ideas have scientific merit. Also, people who are new to intelligent design and want to understand how deep that rabbit hole goes.

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

The narration is impeccable. I've never heard better.

Any additional comments?

Meyer spends half the book attacking versions of evolutionary theory that have been superseded (one would do well to ask why he does this). Then he gives a slap-dash survey of more modern ideas, to which he apparently has no significant criticisms that aren't reducible to the standard set of creationist fallacies. Every chapter is shot through with misrepresentations, misunderstandings, and failures of reasoning; the pace at which they come is slow but steady at first, accelerating after the halfway mark and reaching a fever pitch by the end. Meyer's great depth and breadth of knowledge, and his capacity for a high level of rigor, are on full display -- but he applies those assets with such caprice that the overall effect amounts to little more than a simulation of madness. Most of his substantive claims about biology can't stand up to 5 minutes of Googling -- which isn't a surprise given that he has no credentials in any relevant field.

If you're a creationist or ID sympathizer looking for resonance in an ostensibly scientific volume, this book is as good as it gets. If you're hoping to be informed about biology and evolution, this book is worse than useless.

6 of 11 people found this review helpful

Absolutely eye-opening

I had long doubted the ability of naturalistic mechanisms to explain abiogenesis, but I had no idea how completely non-existent is the case for speciation once you have living forms. This book really shows that not only is random mutation/natural selection too weak to produce the variations we see in life within the timeframe available, but none of the other "theories" are any better. In short, "we have no idea how it happened, but it MUST have happened. Trust us...we are really, really smart."

A strong critique of scientific dogma!

This book marvelously exposes the weaknesses, indeed delusions, a dogged materialistic worldview has upon the scientific disciplines, and our understanding of reality/truth. Yet another example that comes to mind, is how the discovery of dinosaur soft tissue has been delayed because current scientific dogma forbad looking for it. Indeed, it's discovery was a complete accident because the scientists all believed (had faith) that it was not possible for it to have survived the eons of time.

Intelligent case for ID

Stephen Meyer presents a logical and analytical defense for intelligent design. one that challenges neo-darwinism and competing evolutionary views. although technically difficult at some points in its explanation of biology the information is important and should be read by anyone who questions the theory of Origins.

Captivating and Convincing!

Presents a compelling, detailed and carefully documented account of the numerous failures of neo-Darwinism as a credible hypothesis to account for the complexities of life. It should convince even Richard Dawkins! For such a subject It is a surprisingly gripping read and the author does an excellent job of explaining in everyday terms many of the scientific concepts involved. The reader was excellent, so much thoroughly involved with the message of the book that I had assumed it was Myers himself and only discovered his identity at the end. A wonderful well presented book indeed.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A very comprehensive book

A great read and a solid argument based of undeniable facts. It's well put together fully covering all the evidence and theories that try to explain it with a logical and scientific approach

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

Neo Darwinism as faith without evidence

I can't understand that the writer is so fair and comprehensively puts the case for Neo Darwinism and then devastating shows that it takes great faith to continue in that belief due to the lack of genuine evidence and impossible probabilities.

Not a light read, but essential reading for new biologists to save them wasting their career researching a failing theory.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

exceptional logic and reasoning

This is a serious work. not really good for driving around hence not perfect Audible score. However this must be regarded as essential to any half interested biology buff. Meyer is a serious intellectual, dealing with mainstream science and philosophy. The fact that some of the arguments are complex to grasp, is my deficiency. I know I will listen again quietly on vacation to savour and understand fully. I am a graduate in science and biology and have never bought into the idea that random mutations edited by natural selection is an adequate explanation to the abundance of life forms. Meyer confirmed many of my private conclusions, and invites a viable alternative explanation. An exceptional work!

0 of 1 people found this review helpful

The cornerstone of an intellectual revolution.

This book is a masterpiece. A truly lucid, incredibly broad view of the case for design in life, which describes honestly and in detail the shocking inadequacies of the current Darwinian model and the irrationality of a scientific orthodoxy too dogmatic to accept the evidence being thrown up. In generations to come, after scientific materialism has been thrown out for it's now glaring failures, this book and a handful of others will be seen as cornerstones of a real intellectual revolution. An absolute must read.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful