
This listing has ended. Item:Natures Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose

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100% of the final sale price will support Goodwill Industries of San Diego County (Small deduction may apply. Learn more)

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Item specifics - Nonfiction Books

Author:	Michael Denton	Publisher:	Simon & Schuster
ISBN-10:	0684845091	Subject:	Science & Technology
ISBN-13:	9780684845098	Topic:	--
Format:	Hardcover	Language:	English
Publication Year:	1998	Condition:	Good
Special Attributes:	--

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Detailed item info

Size
Length:	454 pages
Height:	9.8 in.
Width:	6.5 in.
Thickness:	1.5 in.
Weight:	25.6 oz.

Publisher's Note
A leading evolutionary thinker, biologist, and medical researcher asks the question: "Could life elsewhere be substantially different from life on Earth?"--and builds a step-by-step argument for human inevitability. 65 illustrations & photos.
Industry reviews
Biolgist and medical researcher Denton argues that the laws of nature and the conditions on this planet exist for the inevitable origin of carbon-based life on Earth as well as the necessary emergence of the intelligent human animal (both events are assumed to be unique in this universe). In great detail, he examines the prerequisites and constituents required for the living cell: water, carbon, metals, oxygen, DNA, proteins, and solar radiation. Furthermore, Denton claims that a long chain of pervasive coincidences is supremely fit for the existence of life and our own species as the determined end of this evolving cosmos. Grounded in both teleology and biocentricity, his directed evolution is a combination of the anthropic principle and natural theology. Glaringly absent, however, is any serious consideration of the ramifications of evil, mutations, mass extinctions, contingency, and exobiology. Most scientists will reject Denton's commitment to purpose evolution as ill conceived and unconvincing. Recommeded only for larger science collections with a penchant for such novel works. H. James Birx, Canisius Coll., Buffalo, NY Bernstein New England biologist Denton continues the assault on Darwinian science, especially the theories of evolution and natural selection, that he began in Evolution: A Theory in Crisis. Here, Denton takes a page out of the work of 19th-century natural theologians like William Paley and 19th-century anti-Darwinian scientists like Robert Chambers to contend that, far from being random and without direction, the laws of nature operate by design. Moreover, says Denton, the design of the laws of the universe inevitably lead to one conclusion: "The entire process of biological evolution from the origin of life to the emergence of man was somehow directed from the beginning." Denton marshals a dizzying array of scientific evidence to bolster his conclusions. First, he examines the evidence from physics and chemistry for the inevitability that the development of a universe like ours would have the evolution of life as its goal. He discusses gravity, the nuclear energy levels of certain atoms, water, light, carbon, uranium and more as elements whose existence is perfectly orchestrated to usher human life onto the universe's stage. Denton then discusses evolutionary biology, arguing that the biocentric nature of the universe undermines the Darwinian principles of contingent natural selection. Denton's arguments are weakened by their circular nature (he assumes design in nature and proceeds to make pieces fit his argument whether they do so easily or not), but his prose is engaging and his insights are accessible to readers who lack a deep scientific background. In the growing debate over Darwin's theories, Denton's voice remains one of the most notable and compelling. (July) Lopate

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Natures Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe

Product Category : Books
ISBN : 0684845091
Title : Natures Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe
EAN : 9780684845098
Authors : Michael Denton
Binding : Hardcover
Publisher : Free Press
Publication Date : 1998-07-08
Pages : 480
List Price (MSRP) : 27.50
Height : 1.5000 inches
Width : 6.5000 inches
Length : 9.7500 inches
Weight : 1.6000 pounds
Keywords : General, General AAS, Cosmology, Comets, Meteors & Asteroids, Extraterrestrial, Hardcover, Printed Books
Condition : Good

Good Condition Guideline: A copy that has been read, but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact (including dust cover, if applicable). The spine may show signs of wear. Pages can include limited notes and highlighting, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels.

About Goodwill Industries of San Diego County

Our purpose is: "Getting people jobs" Our mission is: "To get people with disabilities and other barriers to employment jobs by developing their skills and work habits through training and real work." How do we achieve our purpose? Since San Diego's Goodwill chooses NOT to conduct traditional fundraising activities, we use the revenue we gain from selling your donations; fee-for-service, reuse, recycling and salvage activities to fund the operation of paid job training programs and employment services.

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