Icons of Evolution

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Icons of Evolution is a controversial book by the Intelligent Design advocate and fellow of the Discovery Institute, Jonathan Wells, and a 2002 video about the book. In it, Wells contends that school pupils are taught evolution by means of case studies that are flawed. Many in the scientific community have strongly criticised the book and its claims that schoolchildren are deliberately misled and its conclusions as to the evidentiary status of the theory of evolution, which is considered by biologists to be the central unifying paradigm of biology [1],[2].

Several of the scientists whose work is sourced in the book have written rebuttals to Wells, stating that they were quoted out of context, that their work has been misrepresented, or that it does not imply Wells' conclusions.

The response of the single publisher named by Wells as having revised textbooks on the basis of his work has been condemned by Steven Schafersman, President of Texas Citizens for Science, a pro-evolution organization[3] [4].

Wells, a member of the Unification Church, has attracted criticism directed at his religious background. In a statement made several years prior to the publication of Icons of Evolution, Wells wrote:

Father's (Sun Myung Moon's) words, my studies, and my prayers convinced me that I should devote my life to destroying Darwinism, just as many of my fellow Unificationists had already devoted their lives to destroying Marxism. When Father chose me (along with about a dozen other seminary graduates) to enter a Ph.D. program in 1978, I welcomed the opportunity to prepare myself for battle. [5]

Wells' has responded to critics who focus on his faith:

Because of its profound and harmful consequences for religion, science and culture, I decided to devote my life to criticizing this philosophy and destroying its domination of our educational system.

That was, and still is, my motivation. I have never concealed it.

The question is: How relevant is my motivation? A zealous prosecutor may be committed to bringing down organized crime, but his commitment may be motivated by any number of things--such as a righteous devotion to justice, or a self-serving desire for personal advancement. Once he’s in the courtroom, however, the only thing that really matters is the evidence. The mob’s lawyers can attack the prosecutor’s motivations all they want, but if they can’t refute his facts, their clients may be convicted. In science, too, what matters is the evidence.

Darwinism’s defenders often claim that nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evolution. But this is like a defense attorney telling a jury that nothing makes sense except in the light of his arguments. Ultimately, the jury must reach their verdict on the basis of the facts before them. So it is in science. Nothing in biology makes sense except in the light of evidence. That is why the icons of evolution are so vigorously defended--even to the point of attacking my motivations. [6]

1 Wells' Icons
2 Icons of Evolution video
3 External links
- 3.1 Pro-Wells
- 3.2 Anti-Wells

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Wells' Icons

Wells' ten icons are:

A pdf version of an article written by Wells summarising his icons can be found here. A pdf of one of the most detailed critiques can be found here.

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