4 INTRODUCTION 



difficult question to follow, such as the nature of the evidence for 

 Natural Selection. Instead I would continue on with Evolution. 



" Do you think that the Evolutionary Theory is the best 

 explanation yet advanced to explain animal interrelationships? " 

 I would ask. 



1 Why, of course, sir," would be the reply in some amazement 

 at my question. " There is nothing else, except for the religious 

 explanation held by some Fundamentalist Christians, and I 

 gather, sir, that these views are no longer held by the more 

 up-to-date Churchmen." 



" So," I would continue, " you believe in Evolution because 

 there is no other theory? " 



" Oh, no, sir," would be the reply, " I believe in it because of 

 the evidence I just mentioned." 



" Have you read any book on the evidence for Evolution? " 

 I would ask. 



" Yes, sir," and here he would mention the names of authors 

 of a popular school textbook, " and of course, sir, there is that 

 book by Darwin, The Origin of Species." 



" Have you read this book? " I asked. 



" Well, not all through, sir." 



" About how much? " 



" The first part, sir." 



" The first fifty pages? " 



" Yes, sir, about that much; maybe a bit less." 



" I see, and that has given you your firm understanding of 

 Evolution? " 



" Yes, sir." 



" Well, now, if you really understand an argument you will 

 be able to indicate to me not only the points in favour of the 

 argument but also the most telling points against it." 

 I suppose so, sir." 



Good. Please tell me, then, some of the evidence against the 

 theory of Evolution." 

 Against what, sir? " 

 The theory of Evolution." 



" But there isn't any, sir." 



Here the conversation would take on a more strained atmosphere. 

 The student would look at me as if I was playing a very unfair 



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