The Theory of Evolution: a History of Controversy

[Scott]

I am finishing the Teaching Co's Theory of Evolution: A History of Controversy. While from a secular source, it is very good and worth listening to. The author, Larson, won a Pulitzer Prize for his book on the Scopes trial. The author does not appear to be a creationist but he is fair and his information is good. For example, he does not pull any punches in terms of the social effects of Darwinism, and catalogs eugenics, racism, militarism, and other social ideas that people used evolution to support. He also makes some good philosophical observations about how Darwinism appealed to materialists. There are good discussions on the effects of evolution on religion and the controversies that sprang up in response to evolution. He does not demonize creationists, as some like to do. Overall, it was very insightful. I have some expanded comments on the history in the Natural Revelation forum.

Anyway, a historical framework is always helpful for understanding issues.