Michael Denton

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'''Michael John Denton''' {{lived|1943}} is a [[British]]-[[Australia]]n [[intelligent design]] proponent, best known for writing ''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis''.

==Overview==
He has a PhD in [[biochemistry]] from King's College [[London]]. His work and publications have not met any positive views from the scientific community — other than [[pseudoscience]] promoters. At first Denton made many claims in his first publication ''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis'', but his later publication, ''Nature's Destiny'', contradicted many of his previous views.

==Evolution==
Denton in his book ''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis'' opposed the neo-Darwinian mechanisms of evolution as he claimed there was no [[gradualism]] in the [[fossil record]]; however he still advocated [[natural selection]] which he believed (similar to many creationists) could explain only [[microevolution]]. His main argument was against natural evolutionary theories, as in the book he wrote that evolution cannot explain the [[biodiversity]] of life by chance, and instead he wrote that evolution would have to be directed by intelligence from the start of life. Denton however has also denied being a [[creationist]], as he instead believes in a form of [[intelligent design]] mixed with a [[guided evolution]] process.<ref>[http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/cm/v21/n4/blown-away-by-design Michael Denton and Birds’ Lungs]</ref><ref>[http://www.don-lindsay-archive.org/creation/denton.html Reviews: "Evolution: A Theory In Crisis" by Michael Denton]</ref>

In his book ''Natures Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe'' he defended the theory of [[evolution]] but denied that it could have come about randomly or by chance and instead proposes that it is directed and "designed". The book advocates [[non-Darwinian evolution]] and a [[fine-tuned universe]]. Denton does not deny [[common descent]], which distinguishes him from most intelligent design proponents (with the exception of Mike Behe).<ref>[http://www.rtforum.org/lt/lt117.html Michael Denton's Nature's Destiny]</ref>

==Religion==
Religious [[creationists]] have claimed that Denton is 'an [[agnostic]] that has no [[religious]] beliefs and that he is a non-creationist.<ref>[http://www.ukapologetics.net/aninterview.htm Interview with Michael Denton]</ref><ref>[http://www.reallifeboston.com/resources/12questions/3.php Creationist Article]</ref> However in his book ''Natures Destiny'' he does propose that there is a supernatural intelligence that started the cosmos which has directed evolution, and some reviewers still believe he is a [[theist]].<ref>[http://www.2think.org/eatic.shtml Article on Michael Denton's book]</ref> Denton has been described as an [[intelligent design]] advocate by most scientists. 

Even though Denton believes [[evolution]] is directed and designed, he denies [[vitalism]] or the belief in any [[metaphysical]] force is directing evolution. According to Denton it was directed in a one-off event. Because of this he has been called a [[deist]] by some writers.<ref>[http://wasdarwinwrong.com/kortho29.htm Nature's Destiny A review by Gert Korthof]</ref><ref>"So the theological view Denton argues for is at most like deism or pantheism, where divine agency is required to get the universe going, but any miraculous deviation from lawlike and mechanical behavior is prohibited once the universe is in motion. It is, however, distinct from pantheism and some varieties of deism in that it takes the production of familiar and anthropomorphic life as the raison d'être of the universe." [http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/mark_vuletic/natures_destiny.html Link]</ref> Other writers have described Denton's book ''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis'' as a [[creationist]] book and that Denton is advocating a [[theological]] view of science.<ref>[http://ncse.com/creationism/analysis/review-evolution-theory-crisis Review: "Evolution — A Theory in Crisis"]</ref>

==Science==
The scientific community has rejected Denton's claims, yet he has had many positive reviews from creationists and intelligent design advocates.

==Publications==
*''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis'' Alder & Alder (1985)
*''Nature's Destiny: How the Laws of Biology Reveal Purpose in the Universe'' New York: Free Press (1998).

==External links==
*[http://www.talkorigins.org/faqs/denton.html Talk Origins' critique of ''Evolution: A Theory in Crisis'']

==References==
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[[Category:Authors]]
[[Category:Australians]]
[[Category:British people]]
[[Category:Intelligent design creationism]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Pseudoscience promoters]]
[[Category:Australians]]

Categories: Authors, Australians, British people, Intelligent design creationism, Living people, Pseudoscience promoters, Australians