Conferences Books

CREATION AND EVOLUTION is a book based on papers and discussion presented by well known scholars at a Conference at Castel Gandolfo hosted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. The men who wrote papers and engaged in intelligent debate offered "food for thought" to those interested in the supposed debate re Creation vs. Evolution. Regardless of what one believes re this debate topic, the book offers an intelligent alternative to the ad hominem views presented in the popular press and media.

The participants during this conference were Pope Benedict XVI, Prof. Peter Schuster who is professor of chemisty at the University of Vienna, Prof. Robert Spacemann who is professor emeritus of philosophy at the Ludwig Maximilian-University in Munich, Germany, Prof Paul Erbrichch who is professor emeritus in Muhich Germany,and Cardinal Schonborn who is the Archbishop of Vienna and author of the book titled CHANCE OR PURPOSE. These men wrote papers and debated differences with intelligence and clarity.

Prof. Schuster wrote a facinating paper re molecular biology, genetics, and develop of organisms from simple cell structure. This essay had some interesting points that cellular development appears to have purpose and some sort of design. Prof. Schuster used effective metaphors to explain mutations of cells which occur much faster than previously thought. One interesting metaphor was the competition between cells and viruses. Prof. Schuster explained that when viruses attack cells, cells mutate a genetic defense. Then the viruses mutate to overcome cellular defense while in turn cells develop (mutate) to face new challenges. Prof. Schuster called this continual "combat" and arms race between cells and viruses. Prof. Schuster did not offere a simple "creation" explanation, but he did explain that there was some underlying purpose which could imply Intelligent Design. Prof. Schuster wrote a clear explanation of how cells cooperate to form more complex organisms. Those cells,called renegrade cells, are rejected or combatted otherwise the organism is harmed. A good example of renegade cells is the formation of cancer cells. Prof. Schuster provided good color plates at the end of his paper to explain RNA, DNA, genetic history, etc.

Prof. Spaemann wrote the next essay in this book. His approach was both scientific and philosphical. He dealt with First Cause(what some may call God)as an explanation of design and development of life. His basic thesis was that must be a First Cause or what may be called a priori reasoning to explain the development and continuation of life. He did not dismiss evolutionary biology or modern scientific discoveries which was important to this essay and following discussions.

The following essay by Father Erbrich, S.J., was an interesing defense of Intelligent Design. Father Erbrich answered critics who argued that life forms are self organized. His question was self organized by what or Whom. He basically argued that there is a causality of life forms given their development and changes which could lead to the conclusion of what St. Thomas Aquinas called the First Cause or what Aristotle called The Unmoved Mover.

Cardinal Schonborn wrote the next essay in this book. He dealt with the "tough" questions such as cruelty in nature, apparent goals of life forms, etc. He is obviosuly a partisan of the Catholic Church and Catholic philosophy and theology. Yet, he is clear that such thought does not and should not discard scientific discoveries.

The discussions followed the essays, and the participants raised objections and answered these objections in a calm, intelligent manner. The participants all agreed that no one had the "final answer" and that continued developments in science and philosophy would offer "new frontiers" for further books and intelligent debate.

An earlier lecture by Prof. Spaemann concluded the book. Spaemann' view was that life forms have an apparent purpose to not only survive but to thrive and reproduce. He maintained that such obversations pointed to some ultimate cause or Aquinas' First Cause. This essay was a good conclusion to the book.

This reviewer's only criticism of the book is that there should have been papers on astronomy and geology which would obviously have enhanced the book and discussions. Readers should be aware that astronomical and geological events have shaped life forms on this planet. Yet, the essays that were presented were well written and interesing.

This book showed what intelligent men can achieve when they are not exposed to hysteria, religious literalism, and scientism as opposed to intelligent science. The essays were so well written that even those with limited knowledge of science or theology can benefit from the book. The book is also a welcomed relief from media hysteria and shallow popularity. The book is highly recommended.

The expansion of due process in the American work place.

This magnificent volume brings together contributions from leading Catholic scholars on how to counter what Pope John Paul II has called a "Culture of Death". The eminent Natural Lawyer John Finnis explicates, in his opening essay, what that 'culture' consists in, and what its roots are. In a fascinatinating essay, Dermot Fenlon explores the way in which England was deliberately 'de-christianised'. Essays on the political situation in the US, AIDS in Africa, and discussions of disputed questions in bioethics embellish this collection. This reviewer was particularly pleased to see a piece on direct action by the gifted philosopher Jorge Garcia. The book is an important scholarly contribution to the field of bioethics, as well as a dignified wake up call to all those wishing to defend the inviolability of human life. Luke Gormally is to be commended for giving us this feast of Catholic thought.

'Dark Matter in Astro- And Particle Physics' is the funniest book I've ever read. From 'quirky quarks' to the belly-laugh of the 'Big Bang', H. V. Klapdor-Kleingrothaus had me rolling on the floor! I only wish I hadn't been driving my 60-foot Winnebago at the time.

Dr. Sullivan presents a fascinating account of an important--but often overlooked--era in the American Civil Rights movement. Days of Hope is an authoritative account of the roots of the civil rights struggle. The book is interesting, comprehensive, and impeccably sourced and researched. A must for any student of the movement.

Edited by Harvey Goodstein, Chair of Deaf Way II, The Deaf Way II Reader: Perspectives from the Second International Conference on Deaf Culture is an in-depth collection of 65 scholarly papers tied to the second international Deaf gathering in 2002 at Washington, DC. Contributors hail from such diverse nations as Brazil, Cyprus, Denmark, Great Britain, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Nigeria, Russia, South Africa, Spain, and Thailand, and the topics range from "Deaf Parents with Teenage Children" to "The Status of Deaf People in Developing Countries" to "The Poetics and Politics of Deaf American Literature" and much more. A magnificent and varied compendium of the international knowledge, understanding, and insight into Deaf experience and culture, enthusiastically recommended for college libraries.

Deaf Way II: An International Celebration presents 250 full-color photographs with captions and brief essays that superbly capture a July, 2002 event in which more than 9,700 deaf people from around the world met in Washington, D.C. to share arts, research, and languages in a cultural festival. An amazingly vivid portrayal of people enjoying and exhanging highlights of life, experience, and art, Deaf Way II is truly breathtaking, from its glamorous images of the "Thousand Hand Bodhisattva" dance as portrayed bye the China Disabled People's Performing Arts Troupe to behind-the-scenes glimpses from the tireless individuals who worked so hard to make the gathering such a grand success. A treasury and wondrous giftbook that embraces a positive message of living life to the fullest.

The Design 2000 Sourcebook is a wonderful resource of artists and craftspeople whose work centers around a Western theme. Each year the Western Design Conference sponsors a juried show in Cody, Wyoming, showcasing furniture and fashion designers as well as the makers of jewelry, art, home accents and accessories. This books presents the participants and their work in hundreds of lavish full color photographs and includes artisan biographies and contact information. There are others included here such as interior designers, long home builders, and guest ranches - as well as articles by architects and designers giving their take on the meaning of this very popular style of design. Even if you aren't looking to furnish a home, you will be fascinated with the beauty and diversity of the work featured in this lavish book. I understand that the 2001 version will be available this fall. Can hardly wait!

Should you read my book? You may find it useful and even enjoyable if you are interested in a little-known story of the Cold War in which prominent people from both the Soviet and American sides worked with each other to try to avoid nuclear holocaust. These conversation began at the height of the Cold War; in at least one form, they continue. The people at the table included David Rockefeller (who wrote the introduction), Al Gore, Arthur Miller, Zbigniew Brzezinski, Brent Scowcroft, and a host of businessmen, political figures, writers, and scholars from both sides of the Iron Curtain.

You may also find in it an introduction to a different approach to international relations, one that could make the storms of today's world easier to navigate. Based on the idea that the world is becoming less defined by states and more by the interaction of peoples, it is not a pollyanish approach to resolving conflict, but one that finds value in the lengthy, difficult work necessary to bridge the gap of understanding between adversaries utterly opposed to each other, who see the world in strikingly different ways.

Some have found the book well-written; David Rockefeller found it true to his experience. I hope you read it and discover something memorable.

One of the ideas I gleaned from this text is that good design--I mean truly splendid arrangement of color and line and content and light and dark and positive and negative and the oftentimes unconscious decisions that go into the *creation* of such (where does inpiration come from, anyway? off topic)--simply can't succeed or exist or grow as a statement of mathematics.

Hmm. What I mean to say is that Spocking the web experience for Kirks who don't view, say, the Web, as a psychological and/or mathematical model is to be--at the very least--incomplete. And that's not so bad. And also otherwise disregarding design via passion via inspiration in favor of GUI-by-psychologist and markup-language-by-programmer is, uh, a real bummer. I mean, to measure a designers work by parameters like user comprehension isn't invalid at all, just really, really deflating.

Opinion.