Human Nature Review 2003 Volume 3: 160-162 ( 14 March )

Reviewed by Enzo Ferrara, Research Scientist, Istituto Elettrotecnico Nazionale
Galileo Ferraris, Torino, Italy.

Paradigmatic shifts, such as those initiated by Copernicus, Darwin, Freud, and Einstein, stand as historical discontinuities, or leaps of cultural development, able to call into question human identity, self-awareness, and the common mapping of reality. A sense of apprehension and uncertainty accompanies and resists any further step beyond the rupture points, while the boundaries between nature and the social and spiritual world are rearranged. When a change in the conventional scientific and cultural paradigm is theorized, the whole community engages in debate and scrutiny, in order to integrate, correct, or rebut the new theoretical elaboration. During these periods a definitive assessment cannot be given, and a time deadline for the acceptance or rejection of the new ideas cannot be set. Rather, trust in a theory must rely upon its capability to offer the best affordable account of the observed and investigated phenomena. Recurring irrational and reactionary responses have to be expected. But, only the ordered collection and exposition of facts and evidences is suitable for critical discussion and to better delineate the theme under debate.

Above is the message coming out of the pages of The Antiquity of Man by Michael Brass, which is, in summary, a 'deconstructionist pamphlet' aimed at clarifying how antievolutionist views, even the most renowned and well-publicized ones, do not posses any of the qualities, proofs, and matters-of-fact that typically support empirical research and the formulation of scientific hypotheses and theories.

Unfortunately, what characterizes the current historical juncture is great complexity arising from the involvement of different contexts (e.g., religious, technological, political, and economic) with contemporary issues of culture and science. Within this framework, a crew of ingenuous or badly informed individuals have found the opportunity to advance their peculiar, eccentric views, utilizing scientific terminology and out-of-context information to make their ideas appear scientifically supported.

Full text
http://human-nature.com/nibbs/03/brass.html