Darwin in a New Key

"William Meyer is one of the sharpest and clearest philosophers writing about evolution and God, and in this focused volume he offers an original interpretation of Darwin that enables us to integrate evolution with an affirmation of the meaning and value of existence. This is an important thesis, carefully argued, that deserves to be read widely."

--Kevin Schilbrack, Chair, Deparment of Philosophy and Religion, Appalachian State University



Meyer convinces me that the arguments of Daniel Dennett, Paul Davies, Richard Dawkins and other scientific materialists are flawed as they ignore the authentic voice of Charles Darwin, a voice that speaks not only of survival and reproduction, but also of beauty. From now on, I will view natural selection as having less sharp teeth and claws.

--D. Andrew Crain, Professor of Biology, Maryville College



"Giving impressive evidence that evolution on Darwin's account includes the aim at value, this book issues an incisive challenge to any who claim him for an exclusively mechanistic or physicalist account of life's species. Both clear and concise throughout, Meyer also deftly outlines a theistic metaphysics likely unknown to Darwin and in which a teleology of value is consistent with causation by the past."

--Franklin I. Gamwell, Shailer Mathews Distinguished Service Professor Emeritus, the Divinity School, University of Chicago; author of Religion among We the People: Conversations on Democracy and the Divine Good