If you think Intelligent Design Theory (IDT) is merely the respectable face of Christian fundamentalism, and Evolution the only sensible scientific world-view, think again. Historically, the situation is almost exactly reversed. IDT has driven science for 500 years. It was responsible for the 17th century's Scientific Revolution and has helped build modern histories of physics, mathematics, genetics and social science. IDT's proponents have upheld, often secretly, radical views of Christianity, taking literally the Biblical idea that humans have been created in God's image. This confident, even arrogant, view of humanity enabled the West to triumph in the modern era.
Steve Fuller's brilliant revisionist history is essential reading for anyone who wants a deeper understanding of science's most vociferous debate.
Steve Fuller has appeared on Radio 4's Today, Radio 3's Nightwaves and Channel 4's Trial of the 21st Century. He has written for the Independent, the New Scientist and the New York Times, among others. By day, Fuller is also Professor of Sociology at the University of Warwick.
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