Tuesday, April 5, 2022

Gordon Clark: Review of Darwin: Before and After, by Robert E. D. Clark (The Southern Presbyterian Journal)

1958. Review of “Darwin: Before and After,” by Robert E. D. Clark. The Southern Presbyterian Journal, XVII.

DARWIN: BEFORE AND AFTER. 192 pages. Robert E. D. Clark. Kregel's. $2.95. 

After some interesting observations on the history of biology and a bit of Darwin's biography, Dr. Clark discusses certain ethical and sociological applications of evolution, compares the methods and laws of biology with those of physics, and sets forth a substantial array of pertinent biological details. 

The ethical section is interesting; but the reviewer doubts that it supports the conclusions which the author seems to have in mind. The author's treatment of the concept of design also seems to underestimate the difficulties inherent in theology. The comparison of biology with physics is very good. 

It is impossible to write a review of concrete biological facts. How soluble calcium bicarbonate affects shellfish and the theoretical significance of the results must be read in full. Likewise one must read why natural selection cannot account for kidneys and eyes. The reviewer only wishes to assure prospective readers that such material is far from dull. The book is well written and extremely interesting. 

G.H.C.

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