Uncommon Dissent

Uncommon Dissent: Intellectuals Who Find Darwinism Unconvincing is a 2004 anthology edited by intelligent design activist William Dembski in which thirteen intellectuals criticise evolution. As such it fulfils part of phase II of the Discovery Institute's wedge strategy (Publicity & Opinion-making).

It is published by the publishing wing of the paleoconservative Intercollegiate Studies Institute. The forward is by John Wilson, editor of the evangelical Christian magazine Christianity Today.

The title is a pun on the principle of biology known as common descent.

Topics Addressed

The book contains four sections: Part I: A Crisis of Confidence; Part II: Darwinism's Cultural Inroads; Part III: Leaving the Darwinian Fold; and Part IV: Auditing the Books. Part I, consisting of three essays, offers insights and opinions on the question of why Darwinian premises and conclusions are questioned by the public at large. Part II, consisting of four essays, deals with the effects that Darwinism has had on society and culture by various routes, especially the public and higher education systems. Part III, consisting of three essays, deals with the personal intellectual journeys of contributors Behe, Denton, and Barham, whose attitudes toward Darwinism have changed markedly at different points in their lives. Part IV, consisting of four essays, deals with the consistency and scope of Darwinism, going into somewhat more detail regarding Darwinian premises and conclusions.

ISBN 1932236317

The Dissenters

The thirteen "dissenting intellectuals" are:

• William A. Dembski, intelligent design activist
• Robert Koons, philosopher, theologian, Christian apologist
• Phillip E. Johnson, lawyer, Christian apologist
• Marcel-Paul Schützenberger, mathematician
• Nancy R. Pearcey, Christian apologist
• Edward Sisson, attorney
• J. Budziszewski, philosopher
• Frank J. Tipler, mathematical physicist
• Michael J. Behe, biochemist
• Michael John Denton, biochemist
• James Barham, classical historian
• Cornelius G. Hunter, biophysicist
• Roland F. Hirsch, US Dept of Energy
• Christopher Michael Langan
• David Berlinski, popular mathematics author

None is a biologist. Hence, none is required to accept Darwinism as a disciplinary canon.