Robert Shedinger: Darwin’s Sacred Cause is “Historical Fiction”
Apr 11, 2025
auto_awesome
In conversation with scholar Robert Shedinger, who specializes in the intersection of religion and science, listeners explore a provocative argument about Charles Darwin. Shedinger critiques the biography 'Darwin’s Sacred Cause,' claiming it's more historical fiction than fact, distorting Darwin's legacy by depicting him as a saintly abolitionist. He highlights the tensions between evolution and morality, scrutinizes modern narratives, and delves into the intricate origins of biological information, presenting intelligent design as a compelling alternative to standard evolutionary views.
Robert Shedinger critiques the biography 'Darwin’s Sacred Cause,' arguing it misrepresents Darwin as an abolitionist with insufficient historical evidence.
Dr. Shedinger’s journey from accepting Darwinian views to recognizing the scientific credibility of intelligent design underscores the value of academic curiosity.
Deep dives
Questioning Historical Interpretations of Darwin
The episode examines the historiographical debate surrounding Charles Darwin's motivations, specifically critiquing the influential work 'Darwin's Sacred Cause' by Adrian Desmond and James Moore. The argument presented claims that the authors propose Darwin's scientific theories were primarily driven by his abolitionist beliefs. However, upon thorough review of Darwin's correspondence, it is asserted that this thesis is unfounded, as there is insufficient evidence to support the idea that his views on slavery significantly influenced his scientific endeavors. The discussion raises concerns about the authors' methodologies, suggesting that they misrepresent sources and craft a fictionalized image of Darwin that does not accurately represent his historical context.
From Religion to Biology: A Scholar's Journey
The conversation delves into Dr. Shettinger's academic background in religious studies, which led him to explore the intersection of science and religion, particularly regarding evolutionary biology and intelligent design. Initially, Dr. Shettinger accepted the dominant Darwinian perspective without questioning it, but the opportunity to teach a science and religion course prompted him to read extensively on the subject, including works on intelligent design. This exploration challenged his preconceived notions, leading him to view the theories within intelligent design as scientifically substantial and credible. The transformation in his understanding illustrates the importance of academic curiosity and openness in grappling with complex scientific and religious concepts.
The Prominence of Information in Biological Origins
One of the most compelling arguments presented in favor of intelligent design is the necessity of information in the origin of biological systems, particularly the digital code found in DNA. It is argued that this complex, specified information cannot arise from natural processes alone and must originate from an intelligent source. This perspective aligns with the assertion made by thinkers like Stephen Meyer, emphasizing that human minds are the only known entities capable of producing such information. The discussion highlights a significant crossover between the humanities and sciences, as the recognition of intentionality in both textual communication and biological information reinforces the case for intelligent design.
On today’s ID the Future from our archive, historian of science Michael Keas concludes a two-part conversation with science-and-religion scholar Robert Shedinger about his research into the writing and work of 19th century naturalist Charles Darwin. In this segment, Shedinger makes the case that a well-known biography of Charles Darwin, Darwin’s Sacred Cause, is deeply misleading. The book tries to make Darwin seem like a saintly abolitionist. Instead, argues Shedinger, it's closer to historical fiction than the truth. This is Part 2 of a two-part conversation. Visit idthefuture.com for more.
