Publisher's Synopsis
This brisk and engaging manifesto reveals natural selection to be the flawed product of a science hobbled from birth by denial of the self. After pointing out a dozen dubious assumptions lying behind natural selection Johnston shows how sounder assumptions can lead to better theories. He ends by calling for popular opposition to natural selection and for scientists to come up with sounder mechanisms. Until then, he insists, no mechanism of evolution at all should be taught in the science classroom.
This is no creationist tract. In his demonstration of how to arrive at new mechanisms Johnston conjures up a genome-self able to literally dream up new species, a mechanism much more corrosive of the supernatural than Darwinism.
Mary Midgley, Gifford Lecture 1989-90, "Science As Salvation," and author of "Evolution as a Religion: Strange Hopes and Stranger Fears."
"Shaun Johnston raises many fascinating questions, asking how it is that many scientists seem to find it so embarrassingly difficult to think about any sort of consciousness, especially their own, that they'd rather say it isn't there?... But they badly need to be pressed to roll up their sleeves and face it directly. So, all good wishes to Johnston as he pesters them to get over their scruples!"
Robert G. B. Reid, Emeritus Professor of Biology at the University of Victoria, British Columbia, author of "Evolutionary Theory: The Unfinished Synthesis" and "Biological Emergences: Evolution by Natural Experiment."
"In "Save Our Selves from Science Gone Wrong," Shaun Johnston presents selectionism as the science that has gone wrong, corrupting biology as well as pertinent aspects of sociology, philosophy, and the popular media. Such a strong voice deserves attention. Responding to the question "What do you put in its place?" Johnston begins with the consciousness of the individual self."
John Horgan, author of "The End of Science: Facing the Limits of Knowledge in the Twilight of the Scientific Age."
"Your take on Darwinism...is lively and provocative."
