How Science Works: Evolution

Acknowledgements
Preface: The Importance of Science
Introduction: The Aim of This Book
Part I: Two Ways of Explaining the World
- Supernaturalism and Naturalism
- The Incompatibility of Science and Religion
- Further Reading List
Part II: How Science Works
- Nullius in Verba
- Occam`s Razor
- Religious Belief amongst Leading Scientists
- Uncertainty
- The Importance of Defining Terms
- Facts, Theories and Hypotheses
- Science and Religion Compared
- The Naturalistic Origins of Moral Values
- Further Reading List
Part III: Darwin`s Theory of Evolution
- Biodiversity
- Adaptation
- Possible Explanations for Biodiversity & Adaptation
- The Early Life of Charles Darwin
- Evolution by Natural Selection
- Direct Observation of Natural Selection in Finches
- Historical Context of the Idea of Natural Selection
- Common Misconceptions about Natural Selection
- Genetic Drift
- Further Reading List
Part IV: The Evidence for Evolution
- Similarities at the Molecular Level
- The Unity of Biochemistry
- The Principles of Molecular Biology
- The Tree of Life
- Lateral Gene Transfer
- The Origin of Eukaryotes
- Similarities at the Anatomical Level
- Direct Observation
- Transitional Fossils
- Logical Inference
- Hierarchical Classification
- Biogeography
- Vestigial Structures
- Further Reading List
Part V: The Evolution of Eyes
- One of Darwin`s Difficulties
- Light-Detection Structures
- Plausible Evolutionary Possibilities
- Genetic Control of Eye Formation
- Further Reading List
Concluding Remarks
Definitions
Suggestions for Discussion Topics

Professor R John Ellis FRS is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick, UK

From the reviews:" I have just read through your book. It is admirably clear, and very accurate about evolution. It should convince any unbiased reader of the fact that there is overwhelming evidence for evolution, and that Darwinian natural selection is the major cause of evolutionary change." (Professor Brian Charlesworth F.R.S., Institute of Evolutionary Biology, University of Edinburgh)" Your students are lucky indeed. This is the clearest, most comprehensive and accessible compact account of science that I have seen. I was amazed by your clarity of thought and your comprehension of many subjects that come from diverse areas of science, philosophy, and history. You have really avoided almost all the pitfalls that even the most experienced scholars fall into at times. Really a wonderful treatment." (Professor Kevin Padian, Department of Integrative Biology & Museum of Palaeontology, University of California at Berkeley)" I would make this book required reading for all students entering University science courses". (Dr. Robert Old, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Warwick)" Many authors, such as Dawkins, Dennett and Grayling, have discussed at length various aspects of religion and its conflict with the logic of science. In this excellent book, John Ellis ignores the moral and societal aspects of the science/religion argument and instead concentrates on exploring the way science works, and the way it doesn't, in the context of biological evolution. It clearly sets out the fundamental principles of science and how they differ from a simple deference to authority, the basis of all religions. It then examines in detail the Darwinian framework for evolution by natural selection, and the numerous lines of evidence that, independently, overwhelmingly support the theory. This is, quite simply, the best and most easily understood presentation of the arguments I have ever read." (Dr. Geoff Oxford, Department of Biology, University of York)" I have just had