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Section 3: Quotations from Scientists

Do Evolutionists Cherish Dogma?

Modern Comments on Dogma

Theodosius Dobzhansky, Science, vol. 142, 29 Nov. 1963, p. 1134.

It would be wrong to say that the biological theory of evolution has gained universal acceptance among biologists or even among geneticists. This is perhaps unlikely to be achieved by any theory which is so extraordinarily rich in philosophic and humanistic implications. Its acceptance is nevertheless so wide that its opponents complain of inability to get a hearing for their views. ...

C.P. Martin, American Scientist, vol. 41, 1953, pp. 104-105.

...the recent textbooks of Huxley, Dobzhansky, Schmalhausen and others reveal an impressive and indeed overwhelming knowledge of mutations but the authors are all frank partisans of the accepted theory and almost completely devoid of critical attitude. Their books are written entirely within the presuppositions laid down by the theory; they take it for granted and proceed to interpret a vast array of observations in its terms. Naturally their observations appear to confirm, or at least conform to, the theory. Such practices certainly will never bring any fallacies to light which the theory may contain, but will only serve to deepen the faith of the believer. Consequently, by far the greater number of students that come my way--and they are drawn from many American and Canadian universities--are completely indoctrinated with the idea that the theory of evolution by mutation is a closed issue, an unquestionably established fact. It is not that they are aware of the difficulties which I have mentioned above and esteem them of little weight or importance; they never heard of them and are amazed at the bare possibility of the accepted theory being criticized.

G.A. Kerkut, Implications of Evolution (Pergamon Press, New York, 1960), pp. 4-5. Dr. Kerkut quizzes a hypothetical student typical of those whom he has taught:

"Well, now, if you really understand an argument you will be able to indicate to me not only the points in favour of the argument but also the most telling points against it."

"I suppose so, sir."

"Good. Please tell me, then, some of the evidence against the theory of Evolution."

"Against what, sir?"

"The theory of Evolution."

"But there isn't any, sir."

Here the conversation would take on a more strained atmosphere. The student would look at me as if I was playing a very unfair game. It would be clearly quite against the rules to ask for evidence against a theory when he had learnt up everything in favour of the theory. He also would take it rather badly when I suggest that he is not being very scientific in his outlook if he swallows the latest scientific dogma and, when questioned, just repeats parrot fashion the views of the current Archbishop of Evolution. In fact he would be behaving like certain of those religious students he affects to despise. He would be taking on faith what he could not intellectually understand and when questioned would appeal to authority, the authority of a "good book" which in this case was The Origin of Species. (It is interesting to note that many of these widely quoted books are read by title only. Three of such that come to mind are the Bible, The Origin of Species, and Das Kapital.)

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