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4.02 AVERAGE
4.02 AVERAGE
I love the content of this book, but Richard Dawkin is a douche. We get it, you hate christians. I don’t care I just want to learn some science. Jebus.
For me this is his best work. From the initial puzzle on page one to the magnificent conclusion on the last page this is a work of art as well as science.
More great Dawkins. This is one of his evolution books where he does go after the religious fallacies in that he examines the apparent "design" of modern, complex bodies and their parts, digging down past that polished surface to show them for the mish-mash sh** show that bodies really are, but, you know, more eloquently.
The Blind Watchmaker
It is the second deep-dive by Richard Dawkins, one of the pro-Darwinian biologists, in the evolution theory explaining the profundity of the best brain-child of the visionary biologist, Charles Darwin.
The book commences with Paley's Natural Theology that tried to vindicate the existence of a universal designer, just like an analogous watchmaker, who could design such a complex design of existing life. Richard Dawkins shattered one of the oldest anti-Darwinian theories on which many others are also based. Dawkins made it pass through a number of litmus tests on which it severely failed. Thereafter, the author moves to explain why if there exists any designer analogous to a watchmaker he would surely have been blind.
Dawkins puts forward a number of tests through which we must pass a theory before accepting. The computer biomorphs, typing monkeys, presence of histone H4 genes, etc. vindicate the concept of Darwinian evolution.
Quoting Dawkins, "The one thing that makes evolution such a neat theory is that it explains how organized complexity can arise out of primeval simplicity. " Anything simple we don't have propensity to decipher easily probably because of a bigger brain which, itself, is a result of continuous stages of evolution.
The expression of digitalness in the living organisms and genetic codes appealed to me the most in presentation filled with a number of mind-blowing theories related to sexual selection, arms race, linkage equilibrium among others.
The later part of the book contains vitriolic passages and the author seemed a bit sardonic to other anti-Darwinian and neo-Darwin theories where some sort of euphemism would have elicit some more encomiums from general audience.
It is the second deep-dive by Richard Dawkins, one of the pro-Darwinian biologists, in the evolution theory explaining the profundity of the best brain-child of the visionary biologist, Charles Darwin.
The book commences with Paley's Natural Theology that tried to vindicate the existence of a universal designer, just like an analogous watchmaker, who could design such a complex design of existing life. Richard Dawkins shattered one of the oldest anti-Darwinian theories on which many others are also based. Dawkins made it pass through a number of litmus tests on which it severely failed. Thereafter, the author moves to explain why if there exists any designer analogous to a watchmaker he would surely have been blind.
Dawkins puts forward a number of tests through which we must pass a theory before accepting. The computer biomorphs, typing monkeys, presence of histone H4 genes, etc. vindicate the concept of Darwinian evolution.
Quoting Dawkins, "The one thing that makes evolution such a neat theory is that it explains how organized complexity can arise out of primeval simplicity. " Anything simple we don't have propensity to decipher easily probably because of a bigger brain which, itself, is a result of continuous stages of evolution.
The expression of digitalness in the living organisms and genetic codes appealed to me the most in presentation filled with a number of mind-blowing theories related to sexual selection, arms race, linkage equilibrium among others.
The later part of the book contains vitriolic passages and the author seemed a bit sardonic to other anti-Darwinian and neo-Darwin theories where some sort of euphemism would have elicit some more encomiums from general audience.
I've wanted to read this for a long time. It is a detailed and interesting examination of how evolution using small gradual changes produces the complexity and appearance of design that we see in living things. I am fairly new to audible books and am starting to wonder how I ever lived without them.
unconvincing. he alienates people that he might convince with his obvious agenda.
informative
medium-paced
Full of great ideas that stretched my understanding of Darwinism. Explains gradualism and non-random selection from multiple angles. Explains evolution at the complex organism level, the molecular level, draws on logic and even computer simulations.
Full of challenging, mind-opening ideas. What I found particularly strong was that this book presents the typical religious born challenges to evolution, but then rapidly dismantles them leaving plenty of space to discuss (and again dismantle) the more serious scientific challenges to Darwinism.
I did however, find the writing style a little convoluted. Going off on tangents if tangents and sub-ideas of sub-ideas is a little frustrating to read. But perhaps the complex subject matter requires this. It is a book that requires a little patience and work, but is well worth it.
Full of challenging, mind-opening ideas. What I found particularly strong was that this book presents the typical religious born challenges to evolution, but then rapidly dismantles them leaving plenty of space to discuss (and again dismantle) the more serious scientific challenges to Darwinism.
I did however, find the writing style a little convoluted. Going off on tangents if tangents and sub-ideas of sub-ideas is a little frustrating to read. But perhaps the complex subject matter requires this. It is a book that requires a little patience and work, but is well worth it.
I'm finally done with this book. It was so slow. And a bit dated, concerning recent scientific developments and studies pertaining to epigenetics. Also, Dawkins' pompous demeanour really put me off what he was saying. He makes interesting points at times that had me thinking, but he's one of those people who I know thinks very highly of himself, which makes his argument obnoxious.
informative
slow-paced
The Blind Watchmaker is a truly intriguing read, as someone whose last tryst with the theory of evolution was back in high school biology, I had more or less accepted that natural selection is what guides all life without giving it much thought. Dawkins re-sparked my evolutionary curiosity, it gave me answers to questions I never sought and further enriched what I already knew.