Evolution and Belief
Confessions of a Religious Paleontologist

Asher draws on his experiences as a paleontologist and a religious believer, arguing that science does not contradict religious belief.

Robert J. Asher (Author)

9780521193832, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 23 February 2012

324 pages, 31 b/w illus. 3 tables
23.4 x 15.7 x 2.7 cm, 0.66 kg

'One of life's joys is that of finding things out and discovering their marvelous order. Darwin experienced a full measure of this joy. Asher effectively communicates the joy of seeing how much of biology makes sense in the light of evolution.' Evolution: Education and Outreach

Can a scientist believe in God? Does the ongoing debate between some evolutionists and evangelicals show that the two sides are irreconcilable? As a paleontologist and a religious believer, Robert Asher constantly confronts the perceived conflict between his occupation and his faith. In the course of his scientific work, he has found that no other theory comes close to Darwin's as an explanation for our world's incredible biodiversity. Recounting discoveries in molecular biology, paleontology and development, Asher reveals the remarkable evidence in favor of Darwinian evolution. In outlining the scope of Darwin's idea, Asher shows how evolution describes the cause of biodiversity, rather than the agency behind it. He draws a line between superstition and religion, recognizing that atheism is not the inevitable conclusion of evolutionary theory. By liberating evolution from its misappropriated religious implications, Asher promotes a balanced awareness that contributes to our understanding of biology and Earth history.

Acknowledgments
Prologue
1. Science and religion
2. Evolution as a science
3. Characters and common descent
4. The fossil record
5. The roots of mammals
6. A brief history of elephants
7. Whales are no fluke
8. Creationism: the fossils still say no!
9. DNA and the Tree of Life
10. DNA and information 'creation'
11. Biology and probability
12. Evolution, education, and conclusions
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Evolution [PSAJ]