Alfred Russel Wallace: From Natural Selection to Natural Theology

Episode 1800 September 15, 2023 00:12:46
Alfred Russel Wallace: From Natural Selection to Natural Theology
Intelligent Design the Future
Alfred Russel Wallace: From Natural Selection to Natural Theology

Sep 15 2023 | 00:12:46

/

Show Notes

2023 marks the bicentennial of the birth of Alfred Russel Wallace, co-founder with Charles Darwin of the theory of evolution by natural selection. Unlike Darwin, Wallace thought that biology, chemistry, and cosmology proclaimed clear evidence of intelligent design. On this episode of ID the Future out of the vault, we're celebrating the life and achievements of one of the godfathers of intelligent design. Host Michael Keas begins a conversation with historian Michael Flannery about his book Nature’s Prophet: Alfred Russel Wallace and His Evolution from Natural Selection to Natural Theology. The book traces the intellectual history of Wallace, who is credited with independently proposing the theory of evolution by natural selection. Darwin insisted on a purely materialistic version of the theory, but as Wallace studied the evidence, he grew convinced that intelligent design also played a role in the history of life, particularly in the origin of humans. Though not a religious person, he broke with the rising scientism of his day to argue that there must be some “overruling intelligence” behind nature. This is Part 1 of a 3-part interview.

Other Episodes

Episode 1104

March 14, 2018 00:12:49
Episode Cover

Censorship Double Feature—A Double Standard, and the Dangers of the Anti-Science Label

On this episode of ID the Future, we explore two topics. Sarah Chaffee analyzes New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof’s viewpoints on intellectual diversity....

Listen

Episode 2083

July 16, 2025 00:48:13
Episode Cover

A Tale of Two Doctors: Finding Purpose in Medicine and Science

On this episode, host Andrew McDiarmid welcomes Dr. Stephen Iacoboni, an award-winning cancer researcher and medical oncologist with 40 years of experience, to discuss...

Listen

Episode 0

October 26, 2018 00:15:36
Episode Cover

David Berlinski & Michael Denton, Pt. 2: Darwinian Stalemate?

On this episode of ID The Future, philosopher and author David Berlinski joins geneticist and researcher Michael Denton for continued discussion on the debate...

Listen