“It is now blasphemy to criticise Darwin.”
Some months ago an American philosopher explained to a highly sophisticated audience in Britain what, in his opinion, was wrong, indeed fatally wrong, with the standard neo-Darwinian theory of biological evolution. He made it crystal clear that his criticism was not inspired by creationism, intelligent design or any remotely religious motivation. A senior gentleman in the audience erupted, in indignation: “You should not say such things, you should not write such things! The creationists will treasure them and use them against science.” The lecturer politely asked: “Even if they are true?” To which the instant and vibrant retort was: “Especially if they are true!” with emphasis on the ‘especially’.- Massimo Piattelli-Palmarini, “It is now blasphemy to criticise Darwin,” Spiked Review of Books Online (26 March 2010)
and
In China we can criticize Darwin but not the government. In America you can criticize the government, but not Darwin.- Jun-Yuan Chen Research Professor Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology, The The Wall Street Journal (August 16, 1999)
The difference? Piatelli-Palmarini is allowed to criticize the government. But he is not criticizing the government; he is criticizing Darwin. And he is not an ID supporter.
Spin that, Darwinboy!
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