Why Evolution is True, Jerry A. Coyne
This is a suggested book related to one of my current classes on Coursera, so I decided to pick it up. I already believe in evolution, so I can’t judge on whether it’s convincing — I already know that evolution by natural selection is mathematically inevitable, and I know of a lot of the supporting evidence.
Still, this is the kind of book that produces all sorts of titbits that you didn’t know before, and which lays things out so clearly it helps you understand how to explain it to other people (which, to my mind, means a deeper understanding of the theory — if you can explain it, there are fewer grey areas).
Overall, it’s clearly written, with lots of supporting diagrams and so on where it’s useful, and a good set of footnotes and suggestions for further reading. I found it interesting, too; perhaps not for a person with a science background to begin with, but for me (humanities background, science interest) it was easy but not boringly so.
Interestingly, he also touches a little on why people find it hard to accept evolution, and answers some of those objections, too — for example, why our behaviour isn’t fully dictated by our genes, why morality and ethics aren’t dismantled in any way by evolution.
Too easy for me or good?
Easy but good, I think. Lots of detail, and lots of very clear explanations that show you how to persuasively argue for evolution.
You’re taking a course on Coursera? Which one? I’m currently taking Dino 101.
Many! Currently I’m in Dino 101 too, plus Intro to Genetics and Evolution. I just got my certificate for Epidemics; I did the Online Gaming course, Historical Fiction, SF/F, more genetics…
Wow. I’m enrolled in 4, but only 1 is going on now. The other three are related to exoplanets, exobiology, and other habitable planets. Research for my book, mainly 🙂
Okay, they sound interesting — what are the course titles? Links?!
I’m also on FutureLearn, iversity, EdX…
Here’s Astrobiology and the Search for Extraterrestrial Life: https://www.coursera.org/course/astrobio
Imagining Other Earths: https://www.coursera.org/course/otherearths
The Diversity of Exoplanets: https://www.coursera.org/course/extrasolarplanets
Wish I had more time for more.
Thanks! I’m a freelancer, so I make the time. It has its advantages!
I checked out the others. There’s one that looks interesting.
I think I’m addicted to online classes…
Haha. Maybe you are. I think I would be if I had the time.
It is a lot of fun, and there’s so many interesting courses!
Very true. I may move beyond the sciences one of these days.
I do lit where I can too, and history, but the peer review for lit classes is often ridiculous. I mean, I’ve got an MA in English Lit and someone told me I wasn’t capable of comparing two texts and should “stick to the easy stuff”. Whaaaaat.
Probably someone who’s never taken a literature class in their life.
That’s true — my main problem with peer review.
Are they truly peers? At least when I was taking a writing class in university, they really were my peers.
Mostly, they really aren’t. It’s a marking system I’m not used to at aaall.