C.S. Lewis and Evolution

"C.S. Lewis and Evolution" is the second of three short documentaries inspired by the book The Magician's Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. It examines the evolution of Lewis's views on orthodox Darwinian theory from his time as a college undergraduate to his death in 1963.

[cslewisweb]

Regarding the so-called "failure" of intelligent design: In fact, modern science got started largely because early scientists thought that nature was designed, therefore they could expect to find regularities when studying it. Even today, scientists are forced to assume design (whether they admit it or not) any time they reverse engineer a cellular system. Design-based thinking is a great encourager of scientific investigation.

[daultonhorton]

C.S. lewis is awesome, my favorite book of his is mere Christianity, his fictional books are also good, my favorite is the space trilogy, in the third book, "that hideous strength" it reminds me of the YouTube atheists today who all think they are scientists, and they all think sceince somehow disproves God.

[jinuit]

C.S. Lewis was definitely on the right track. He clearly had an open and clear mind. RIP Until we see you again. Job 14:14, 15

[darkmountain]

(paraphrase) "Evolution, the great explanation that cannot explain itself."
Theologian B.B. Warfield
   

[olafshomkirtimukh]

Lewis was one of those who brought me (born in a Hindu family) to faith in Christ and the rationality that underlies Christianity.

[cslewisweb]

I'd encourage you to read Steve Meyer's book Signature in the Cell (2009). He considers in great depth the alternative explanations of the biological information embedded in DNA. He also discusses the indicators that he thinks point to intelligent design in nature. As for sex and babies: The issue isn't whether human reproduction exists, but whether an unguided mechanism of chance mutations and natural selection is a plausible explanation for its development.

[mendoncacorreia]

A documentary with a very curious introduction by Eugenie Scott, saying "I'm a scientist; I don't know any evidence against Evolution", but sounding a bit like "I'm a lawyer; I don't know any evidence against my client". Never mind about it, though! The remainder of this documentary is great and extremely enlightening. Don't miss it!

[sronicker]

Very well done video!  Thank you.  C.S. Lewis has always been one of my favorite authors and this is a reminder of why.

[willhoneycutt]

One of my favorite interchanges between Lewis and evolutionism (blind and undirected natural selection) is this one.

"Evolution itself is accepted by zoologists, not because it has been observed to occur or can be proved by logically coherent evidence to be true, but because the only alternative, special creations, is incredible." - Dr. D. M. S. Watson, Prof. of Zoology and Comparative Anatomy.

In direct response, Lewis writes in his 1944 essay "Is Theology Poetry?"

"Has it come to that? Does the whole vast structure of modern naturalism depend not on a positive evidence but simply on an a priori metaphysical prejudice? Was it devised not to get in facts but to keep out God?"

[cslewisweb]

It's interesting that you claim that the majority of DNA in humans "is still junk." How do you know this? We have yet to study the majority of non-coding DNA. You are providing a perfect demonstration of how Darwinian ideology has damaged science. You make sweeping claims about the lack of functionality of the majority of DNA based on Darwinian assumptions rather than actual research. What we DO know is that we are finding new functions for the supposedly functionless DNA all the time.

[galenstevenson]

But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (2 Cor. 4:3-4)

[josephchapman]

People appear to be saying that C.S Lewis' opinion doesn't matter. 1: don't be such an elitist muppet, 2: He's a well educated philosopher and rational human being. He knows his stuff.

[JohnNorman]

Love the idea of collating Lewis' thoughts in this way. Extremely thought provoking and helpful. But please ditch the background music! Not required.

[cslewisweb]

I encourage people to read the Dawkins' quote for themselves rather than your repeated efforts to reinterpret it. Dawkins made a sweeping claim that non-coding DNA is either parasitic or "at best" "useless." Sounds like junk to me. But I understand why Darwinists are finally trying to backtrack on their earlier rhetoric about junk DNA.

[arkady]

What material attributes can be assigned to consciousness?  Does it have mass?  Is it subject to the laws of gravity?  How to you measure ideas - like good and evil, right and wrong?  Are these subject physical measurement?  If  not, how are they subject to material observations?  If not - how does evolution account for them?  If evolutionary theory reduces them to mere survival advantage - what survival advantage does theism supply -why does it still persist?  I posit materialism simply cannot account for itself via materialism.  This is a good video.

[verge]

According to those who want to dismiss Creationist criticisms of Evolution with the fallacy:  "Anyone who is not a scientist is not allowed to pass their opinion against Evolution", I have this to say.

Firstly, if YOU are not a scientist yourself, then on what grounds do you claim that Evolution is 'true;?  Because you've been told it's true... by a teacher... in a book... from Mr Dawkins, perhaps?

No?   Well then, maybe it's because you think you're smarter than a Creationist and have reason, logic and intelligence on your side?

Really?  Well then, I issue this challenge: If you cannot explain the theory of Evolution in any coherent argument without using the word "evolve" or any synonym of that word,  or by parroting Darwin or Dawkins, then YOU don't understand the theory.  Can you explain the conditions and mechanisms by which DNA emerged; and is able to replicate?  Can you even account for the conditions which existed on Earth prior to the formation of life without a whole series of suppositions and assumptions - which DON'T necessarily stand up to reason, but are themselves just a bunch of inferences based on cosmological suppositions and theories to begin with.  In the absence of any ability to make a coherent explanation for holding with Evolution Theory, then we can only say that those who do agree with that self-same theory are only relying on personal preferment and deferment to popular opinion and authority - the very criticisms Evolutionists use against Creationists for their faith in a supernatural Intelligent Being.

Oh... and DON'T be a fucking lazy arsehole and tell me to "Go research Evolution for yourself" or "Check out this website".  

[lisajones]

Awesome! and thank you for sharing this wonderful mans ideas and writings. The world is a better place because of him.

[ReasonableHope]

Lewis' thoughtful study of evolution is a helpful guide in our need to approach these topics intelligently. "Just as Lewis rejected a Darwinian explanation for the human mind because it undermined the validity of reason, he rejected a Darwinian account of morality because it undercut the authority of morality by attributing it to an amoral process."

[oneyedjohn]

an anecdote that I believe the uploaded of this fine video I will appreciate. I was once chatting to an atheist the topic of skepticism was brought up I said something along the line of "I guess you could say I am skeptical of modern skepticism." the gentleman I was speaking to was awe struck that I could dare says such statement and said that it was fundamentally impossible. I did not continue on that topic because I felt that any further discussion might as well be in another language.

[thumbprint]

Thanks for uploading. Very interesting. What a shame that the overpowering music often makes it difficult to listen to the words. The music does not enhance the words but fights with them. Everywhere one goes there is background music looming forward to overtake.