Understanding Evolutionary Misunderstanding

The debate among creationists and evolutionists as to the origin of modern life on Earth has pushed increasingly into the limelight over the last several years. Unfortunately, such mainstream coverage has caused many of the related issues to become skewed and misinterpreted. In the article “Five Major Misconceptions about Evolution,” Mark Isaak attempts to make clear the true nature of evolutionary theory so that, if it must be challenged, such arguments can be made on a purely factual basis rather than, as Isaak says, “against a set of misunderstandings that people are right to consider ludicrous” (“Misconceptions” Para. 1). He presents these misconceptions and his explanation of the faulty logic behind each one in five main categories: “Evolution has never been observed,” “Evolution violates the 2nd law of thermodynamics,” “There are no transitional fossils,” “The theory of evolution says that life originated, and evolution proceeds, by random chance,” and “Evolution is only a theory; it hasn't been proved” (“Misconceptions” Para. 2). In addressing each of these proposed falsehoods individually, Isaak forms an argument with few faults that is clear, precise, and effective.

Mark Isaak is not the most well-known or established author, but he has written numerous articles, mostly about creation and evolution issues, but also on subjects as different as mythology and philosophy (“Home Page”). While not explicitly claiming to be any sort of expert in this particular subject, Isaak cites reliable scientific sources like Natural History in support of his argument.

Isaak doesn't seem to have one specific intended audience. His emphasis on systematically dissolving common misconceptions points to an intended audience of creationis...

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...ryone who works with the theory of evolution (and has a good working knowledge of it) is on the same “team,” so to speak, and “finding a better alternative to evolution would win them fame and fortune” (“Misconceptions” Para. 26), which is one final key example of Isaak's logical sensibility. By avoiding making harsh criticisms of opposing viewpoints and simply presenting the facts in an understandable way, Mark Isaak successfully reaches as close to a middle ground as possible in order to make the truth clear in such a polarized debate.

Works Cited

Isaak, Mark. "Five Major Misconceptions about Evolution." The TalkOrigins Archive. 01 Oct 2003. Web. 8 Sep 2009. .

---. "Mark Isaak's Home Page." Curiosities of Biological Nomenclature. 11 Aug 2008. Web. 14 Sep 2009. .