This blog is not devoted to a particular area of scientific study, and, as such, there are posts, and more to come in the future, on a variety of scientific subjects. Whatever science may be, it is undoubtedly a system of enduring fascination and unequivocally one of mankind’s greatest achievements.
Whilst there is no subject to which this blog is dedicated, there is a recurrent subject which predominates my writings here: evolution. The story of life is a story of evolution. Numerous mechanisms and processes are responsible for evolution, however, there is only one mechanism we are aware of that can account for the evolution of what Richard Dawkins called ‘adaptive complexity’,* those ‘organs of extreme perfection and complication’, and that is Charles Darwin’s theory of natural selection. Therefore, discussions of evolution and of the individuals responsible for the development of evolutionary thought, notably Darwin himself, will feature prominently here.
Also to feature here is a discussion of Intelligent Design and Darwinism between myself and my good friend Joshua Gidney (author of The God Hypothesis). Joshua is advocating Intelligent Design whilst I am advocating Darwinism. We are both Christians and agree on an awful lot, although we do have our differences–not least on the matter of Intelligent Design–so the discussion is devoid of some of the impedimenta induced by religious differences. Thus far the discussion has proved interesting and constructive, remedying some of the crass treatments the debate has received–at least we think so anyway! (Click either of our names here to read our respective opening statements: Joshua Gidney / Francis Smallwood.)
I would be most grateful if you would leave a comment just to let me know what you think of the blog, inform me of any inaccuracies–I’m sure there will be a few!–or any problems or disagreements which you have with it.
I hope that you enjoy your visit and find the writings here interesting, perhaps even illuminating, and if you do find it to be these, then I can rest assured that I have achieved the ethos of the blog.
With best wishes,
Francis
* Dawkins, R. The blind watchmaker. London: Penguin Books, 1988.
great work Francis! I hope to see more interesting posts in the future. As you know I share your love for science and stuff and Im currently creating my own blog so should be up soon. will contain stuff on the science/religion debate and book reviews. peace!
Hello Francis,
I’m looking for blogs to argue for creation, I may look into some atheist and University sites. Do you have any recommendations? I just found your blog and will soon be reading it.
Thank you, Jim
Hi Jim,
I suppose it depends on what kind of creation you want to hear the arguments for. Personally, I believe in theistic evolution, and that is the creation which I advocate on my blog. If you are meaning an evolutionary creation, then I would recommend the BioLogos Institute, founded by Francis Collins:
http://www.biologos.org/
However, if you mean a literal six-day creation I am not too sure really – I have to say that I am not fond of the idea, and do not adhere to it. I suppose Answers in Genesis is the main literal-creation advocate:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
But I do not believe that the views expressed by Answers in Genesis are justifiable or beneficial spiritually or intellectually.
Hope that helps!
With best wishes,
Francis
Hi!
My name is Roger Klang, and I stumbled on your blog while looking for information about a hunter/collector people intelligence test. I am from Sweden, and I too have a scientifical blog, in Swedish, called http://regorgnalk.wordpress.com/ even though I have a scarce scholar background except for two years of practical Philosophy at the university of Lund Scaania in southern Sweden where I also live (I also have a philosophical blog with the adress http://klangen.wordpress.com/ wich mixes English and Swedish philosophical texts, mostley Swedish) I believe in Christ and the new testamente, but just like you I am only a creationist in the sense that I think God created the species and us through guided macro evolution (if you believe so too). Micro evolution is indesputable in any case, also for Christians, perhaps it was a Christian “invention” even, since it explains races developing from Adam and Eve. But I don´t believe that it is important HOW God created us, only that he DID create us. I am going to read your blogposts over the next couple of days and see if we think alike in any of the subjects! Just like you I have ideas in many scientifical fields. If I am right in any of my ideas I leave up to others to decide.
Greetings; Roger Klang